Rat liver model for testing intraoperative echo contrast sonography

Abstract

The present animal experimental study showed that intraoperative hepatic ultrasonography using an echo contrast medium can visualize small hepatomas (with a diameter of between 3 and 15 mm) induced in the rat liver, although they were not recognizable with plain ultrasonography. A homogeneous increase in the echogenicity of the liver tissue was achieved by using an echo contrast medium (Echovist) based on galactose microparticles. Self-made bubble preparations such as those used in echocardiography were far less effective. When the dosage was optimal (0.01-0.003 ml/g liver weight with concentrations of 200 and 300 mg/ml Echovist), homogeneous contrast enhancement of the liver was achieved for at least 10 min after a single bolus injection via all routes of contrast administration (hepatic artery, portal vein, bile duct). As a result, hepatomas appeared as hypodense formations (portal vein and bile duct) or as hyperdense zones (hepatic artery).

Intraoperative and laparoscopic sonography of the liver

“…Because it is an inexpensive procedure, widespread use of this technique is expected. In addition, preliminary works using intravenously administered polysaccharides or carbon dioxide suggest an improvement in the detection of small nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma with intraoperative sonography, so that contrast-enhanced intraoperative sonography of the liver may become a new research area in the near future [60][61][62].…”