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Published on: September 13, 2022
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound analysis of renal perfusion in normal micropigs
Kangjae Yi1, Seoyeoun Ji, Junyoung Kim
1Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging, and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
Abstract:
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is one of method for evaluating renal perfusion. The purpose of this project was to assess perfusion patterns and dynamics in normal micropig kidney using ultrasonographic contrast media. Eight young healthy micropigs were included in this study. Micropigs were anesthetized with propofol and received an intravenous bolus of microbubble contrast media through an ear vein. Time/mean pixel value (MPV) curves were generated for selected regions in the right renal cortex and medulla. The parenchyma was enhanced in two phases. The cortex was first enhanced followed by a more gradual enhancement of the medulla. A significant difference in perfusion was detected between the cortex and medulla. Following the bolus injection, the average upslope was 0.68 ± 0.27 MPV/sec, downslope was -0.27 ± 0.13 MPV/sec, baseline was 73.9 ± 16.5 MPV, peak was 84.6 ± 17.2 MPV, and time-to-peak (from injection) was 17.5 ± 6.6 sec for the cortex. For the medulla, the average upslope was 0.50 ± 0.24 MPV/sec, downslope was -0.12 ± 0.06 MPV/sec, baseline was 52.7 ± 7.0 MPV, peak was 65.2 ± 9.3 MPV, and time-to-peak (from injection) was 27.5 ± 5.0 sec. These data can be used as normal reference values for studying young micropigs.
Insights
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound reveals distinct renal perfusion patterns in micropigs. The cortex enhances faster than the medulla, providing normal reference values for kidney perfusion studies.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Medical Imaging
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a key method for assessing renal perfusion.
- Understanding normal kidney perfusion dynamics is crucial for diagnosing and managing renal diseases.
- Micropigs serve as a valuable preclinical model for human physiology and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate perfusion patterns and dynamics in healthy micropig kidneys using CEUS.
- To establish normal reference values for renal cortical and medullary perfusion in young micropigs.
- To characterize the temporal enhancement characteristics of the micropig kidney parenchyma.
Main Methods:
- Eight young, healthy micropigs were included in the study.
- Anesthesia was induced using propofol, followed by intravenous microbubble contrast media administration.
- Time/mean pixel value (MPV) curves were generated for renal cortex and medulla regions.
Main Results:
- Renal parenchyma enhancement occurred in two phases: initial cortical enhancement followed by medullary enhancement.
- Significant differences in perfusion were observed between the renal cortex and medulla.
- Specific quantitative data for upslope, downslope, baseline, peak, and time-to-peak were recorded for both regions.
Conclusions:
- CEUS effectively visualizes distinct perfusion patterns in the micropig kidney.
- The established reference values provide a baseline for future research involving micropig renal models.
- This study contributes valuable quantitative data for the application of CEUS in preclinical renal research.
