Aim: To assess the grey scale enhancement of a new lipid-coated ultrasound contrast agent in solid abdominal organs as liver and kidney.
Methods: Size distribution and concentration of the lipid-coated contrast microbubbles were analyzed by a Coulter counter. Two-dimensional (2D) second harmonic imaging of the hepatic parenchyma, the inferior vena cava and the right kidney of the rabbits were acquired before and after contrast agent injection. Images were further quantified by histogram in Adobe Photoshop 6.0. Time-intensity curves of hepatic parenchyma, inferior vena cava and renal cortex were generated from the original grey scale.
Results: The 2D images of hepatic parenchyma and cortex of the kidney were greatly enhanced after injection and the peak time could last more than 50 min.
Conclusion: This new lipid ultrasound contrast agent could significantly enhance the grey scale imaging of the hepatic parenchyma and the renal cortex for more than 50 min.