Abstract
The renal medullary microcirculation plays an important role in regulating sodium and water excretion, and its impairment is closely associated with various renal diseases. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Sonazoid has not yet been reported as a method for evaluating the renal microcirculation; consequently, this study was carried out to reveal the characteristics of renal microcirculation using CEUS with Sonazoid. CEUS was performed on three healthy volunteers after they had fasted for at least 6 h. A GE LOGIQ7 ultrasound unit was used with a 2.0- to 5.5-MHz convex probe. Within approximately 1 min of intravenous injection of 0.0050 ml/kg Sonazoid, contrast images of the right kidney were acquired using a coded phase-inversion mode. Time-intensity curves were calculated for the cortex and medulla. Peak contrast intensity was significantly higher in the cortex (-56.4 ± 1.9 dB) than in the medulla (-66.7 ± 1.7 dB; P < 0.005). Peak times were significantly earlier in the cortex (17.4 ± 3.7 ms) than in the medulla (28.8 ± 6.3 ms; P < 0.05). CEUS using Sonazoid enables differentiation between the cortical and medullary microcirculation and is useful in clarifying renal pathophysiology and pharmacology.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call