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Transcranial contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid in semiquantitative evaluation of brain perfusion

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Abstract

Purpose

To semiquantitatively evaluate brain perfusion by transcranial contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (TCEUS) using Sonazoid.

Methods

We performed TCEUS in 11 healthy volunteers and seven patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease involving the anterior circulation. After recording first-pass perfusion images on one side of the head and flush-replenishment (FR) images on both sides, we measured the time from arrival to peak (TAP) and peak intensity (PI) at first pass. Using the FR method, plateau value (A) and rise rate (β) of intensity (I) were obtained from the curve I(t) = A(1 − e −β*t).

Results

In the patients, TAP was longer and PI was smaller in middle cerebral artery (MCA) areas than in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) areas on the ipsilesional side of the head (p < 0.05). A and β were smaller in MCA areas than in PCA areas on the ipsilesional side of the head (p < 0.05), while these parameters showed no apparent differences between MCA and PCA areas in the volunteers.

Conclusion

TCEUS with Sonazoid allows effective semiquantitative evaluation of brain perfusion.

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Acknowledgments

We appreciate the valuable suggestions and advice provided by Dr. Hajime Ohishi (Nara Medical University, Japan).

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan

    Kozue Saito & Satoshi Ueno

  2. Department of Endoscopy and Ultrasound, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan

    Toshiko Hirai

Authors
  1. Kozue Saito
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  2. Toshiko Hirai
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  3. Satoshi Ueno
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kozue Saito.

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Saito, K., Hirai, T. & Ueno, S. Transcranial contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid in semiquantitative evaluation of brain perfusion. J Med Ultrasonics 40, 133–139 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-013-0431-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-013-0431-x

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