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Detection of experimental rat liver tumors by contrast-assisted ultrasonography
J S D'Arrigo1, S Y Ho, R H Simon
1CAV-CON, Inc., Farmington, CT 06032.
Rationale And Objectives:
The authors characterized the effect of intravenous lipid-coated microbubbles (LCMs) on the echogenicity of malignant liver tumors.
Methods:
Novikoff hepatoma cells were inoculated into the livers of 16 anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Sonograms were obtained weekly after tail-vein injection with either 0.2 mL/kg LCMs or saline control.
Results:
A statistically significant difference in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was observed between the group that received LCMs (10 rats) and the group that received saline (6 rats) (P < .01). The effect persisted for 30 minutes after contrast injection. Selective leakage and accumulation of LCMs into the tumor tissue itself was confirmed histologically using lipid-specific counterstains.
Conclusions:
Intravenous injection of the LCM contrast agent produces a rapid increase in the echogenicity of the experimental Novikoff tumor in the rat liver.