Abstract
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.