shu-508 and Intestinal-Diseases

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential usefulness of contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasound in the detection and follow-up of local complications (phlegmon and abscess) in Crohn's disease.. With this aim, 28 patients with suspected abdominal inflammatory mass were examined with power Doppler ultrasound before and after intravenous administration of the ultrasound contrast agent Levovist, with evaluation of vascularity within and/or around the inflammatory mass. Colour Doppler flow was characterized as clearly visible, minimally visible or absent. All the patients underwent a post-contrast computed tomography exam.. Power Doppler ultrasound, after administration of contrast medium, allows the detection of small inflammatory masses in Crohn's disease, particularly those under 2 cm in diameter, when compared with computed tomography.. We conclude that contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasound is a sensitive method for the detection of small abdominal inflammatory masses and for differential diagnosis between phlegmon and abscess.

Topics: Abscess; Adolescent; Adult; Cellulitis; Contrast Media; Crohn Disease; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intestinal Diseases; Male; Polysaccharides; Prospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Doppler

The induction by ultrasound (US) of petechiae and hemorrhages in mouse intestine was examined with injection of gas body-based contrast agents. Production of petechiae in the intestinal wall was enhanced by contrast agents for both continuous and pulsed (10 micros pulses repeated at 1 kHz) exposure relative to a gas body-free blank. For pulsed exposure with 10 mL/kg of Albunex, apparent thresholds for peak negative pressure amplitude were 0.42 MPa at 0.4 MHz, 0.85 MPa at 1.09 MHz and 2.3 MPa at 2.4 MHz. Results at these frequencies were the same for 10-11 cycle pulses with fixed duty cycle (0.01). Thresholds for hemorrhage into the intestinal lumen were not appreciably enhanced by added Albunex, and appear to be compatible with previously reported lithotripsy data when duty factor differences are considered. The agents PESDA, Optison and Levovist had lower thresholds (for example, 1.8 MPa for Levovist) than Albunex at 2.3 MHz, and yielded more petechiae. The thresholds for petechiae induction by US with contrast agents encroach upon the exposure range relevant to diagnostic US practice.

Topics: Albumins; Animals; Contrast Media; Disease Models, Animal; Fluorocarbons; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Intestinal Diseases; Intestines; Male; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Microspheres; Polysaccharides; Purpura; Ultrasonography