3-D and Power Doppler Ultrasound in Translational Research

Abstract

Abstract At Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso we have developed an animal model to study mammary carcinogenesis and neovascularization. Seven-week-old female Sprague Dawley rats are injected with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) intraperitoneally at a concentration of 50 mg/kg bodyweight. The rats are palpated twice a week for development of mammary gland tumors. On the appearance of the first palpable tumor, the animals are divided into the groups treated with aromatase inhibitor, ethanolic neem leaf extract and control group, receiving vehicle treatment. Using a high-resolution 16 MHz linear array transducer mammary glands are imaged before and every two weeks following the introduction of the therapy. 3-D US coupled with 3-D power Doppler imaging is used for evaluation of the volume and vascularity of the mammary gland lesions. Pulsatility and resistance index and vascularity, flow and vascularity flow indices are evaluated longitudinally. Our preliminary data indicate that 2-D and 3-D power Doppler ultrasound may be efficiently used for evaluation of the mammary gland tumor volumes and vascularity. 2-D and 3-D power Doppler ultrasound may also be used for evaluation of the response of mammary gland tumors to different lines of medication therapy.