Perfusion imaging of the kidney using contrast-enhanced phase-inversion ultrasound
Stoeckelhuber, B.M.; Wiesmann, M.; Kreft, B.; Stoeckelhuber, M.; Weiss, H.D.; Bergmann-Koester, C.U.
Rontgenpraxis; Zeitschrift für Radiologische Technik 55(5): 167-174
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-7820 PMID: 15700653 Document Number: 582972
We evaluated different techniques of contrast-enhanced phase-inversion ultrasound to visualize renal perfusion. Levovist contrast-enhanced phase-inversion ultrasound with different levels of mechanical index and frame rate was performed in 20 kidneys. Analysis using a software algorithm for time-resolved perfusion imaging was compared to single-image analysis performed by three independent radiologists. Optimal depiction of renal perfusion was achieved only by using a mechanical index which was high enough to destroy the microbubbles of the contrast agent (burst imaging) combined with a low frame rate (0.5 images/second). Renal cortex and medulla showed a homogeneous enhancement. Computer-assisted time-resolved perfusion analysis was applicable; it did not show additional Information to single-image analysis. Renal perfusion can be visualized using contrast-enhanced phase-inversion ultrasound. For depiction of bigger vessels, it is equal to B-mode ultrasound or Doppler mode techniques; however, it is superior for visualization of renal parenchymal perfusion.