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Evidence of Microbubbles on Kidney Stones in Humans
Julianna C Simon1, James R Holm2, Jeffrey Thiel3
1Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Graduate Program in Acoustics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
|April 5, 2020
Summary
The study investigated kidney stones in a hyperbaric chamber, finding that increased pressure significantly reduced ultrasound twinkling artifact. This supports the theory that microbubbles on kidney stones cause this artifact in humans.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Nephrology
- Acoustics
Background:
- The twinkling artifact in color Doppler ultrasound aids kidney stone detection but is inconsistent.
- Ex vivo studies suggest microbubbles in stone crevices cause twinkling.
- The presence of these microbubbles on human kidney stones remains unconfirmed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and behavior of microbubbles on human kidney stones.
- To test the hypothesis that microbubbles contribute to the ultrasound twinkling artifact.
Main Methods:
- A research ultrasound system was used to quantify twinkling in eight human patients with kidney stones.
- Patients were placed in a hyperbaric chamber up to 4 atmospheres absolute (ATA).
- Twinkling power was compared at different pressures using a paired one-way t-test.
Main Results:
- Exposure to 3 and 4 ATA significantly reduced twinkle power by 35% and 39% respectively in 7 patients.
- A p-value of 0.04 indicated statistical significance.
- Data from one patient was excluded due to corruption.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the theory that microbubbles are present on kidney stones in humans.
- Pressure-induced reduction in twinkling suggests a physical interaction with microbubbles.
- Further research can explore therapeutic implications of microbubble manipulation.
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