Quantitative evaluation of imagent as an abdominal ultrasound contrast medium in dogs

Diagnostic ultrasound currently provides a noninvasive, economical means to evaluate internal organ structure. Methods to increase the amount of diagnostic information obtained from the sonographic examination are being explored. A new area of research has recently focused on the ability of microbubble contrast agents to help provide additional information. A prospective study was undertaken to quantitatively evaluate the amount of gray scale enhancement of ultrasound images of six canine livers, spleens, and left kidneys that occurs after intravenous injection of Imagent. Computerized analysis was used to assess the percent change in brightness of these images. A transient decrease in the percent change in brightness was seen to occur after injection of higher doses of Imagent. This effect was more pronounced in the deeper portions of the organs of interest. Imagent provides a measurable change in the brightness of the organs of interest and would be potentially useful in a clinical setting.