Ultrasound Activated Contrast Imaging for Prostate Cancer Detection.

摘要

The current project proposes to develop a novel ultrasound contrast imaging technique (called EEI) for better visualization of the microvessels, which are characteristic of the neovasculature associated with prostate cancer. In vitro, Sonazoid produced 10dB of enhancement at 22 deg C, which reduced to 5dB at 37 deg C. Conversely, Optison created 1dB of enhancement at 22 deg C, which increased to 9dB at 37 degC. This enhancement reduced to 3dB when the concentration was increased from 0.05 to 0.5pl/l. While no enhancement was found for Definity at any of the concentrations studied, QFX produced approximately 17 and 14dB of enhancement at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies, respectively. Initial simulation results indicate that the shell elasticity plays a vital role in the growth as well as dissolution of the bubbles. While results at an imaging frequency of 7.5MHz were somewhat in agreement with measurements, the enhancement was unrealistically high (20- 35dB). Somewhat disappointingly only 1-4dB of enhancement was produced by EEI in vivo. In conclusion, up to 17dB of enhancement can be achieved with EEI in vitro. However, EEI appears to be quite sensitive to changes in temperature and microbubble concentration, which may explain the reduced enhancement observed in vivo.