Abstract
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has shown convincing results for monitoring vessel morphology, surrogate markers of vascularization and changes in molecular marker expression in oncological and cardiovascular diseases. Ultrasound contrast agents have the ability to increase the backscattering signal intensity of an ultrasound pulse. An interesting class of ultrasound contrast agents are gas filled microbubbles, which can be synthesized by external bubble encapsulation using sugar matrices or microspheres consisting of lipids or polymers with or without surfactant and by selecting gases with low blood solubility and diffusion coefficient such as perfluorocarbons or sulphur hexafluoride. Ultrasound contrast agents can be classified according to the rigidity of their shell. Soft-shell microbubbles are coated with a thin monolayer of surfactant molecules such as palmitic acid or phospholipids and are very sensitive to pressure changes. Hard-shell microbubbles have a rigid shell made of polymers such as polycyanoacrylate, which dramatically increases their stability. Depending on the acoustic properties of the microbubbles and on the purpose of the examination either destructive or non destructive methods are preferred for their detection. Microbubbles can be detected by destructive and non-destructive methods. Both soft- and hard-shell microbubbles coated with target-specific molecules can also be used for molecular imaging. Using target-specific approaches, the expression of several angiogenic markers such as VEGFR2, αvβ3 Integrins, ICAM, and E-selectin has been investigated in neoplastic and vascular diseases. This article summarizes the synthesis and properties of contrast agents as well as the indications, limitations and future potential of contrast-enhanced functional and molecular ultrasound.
Keywords: Sonography, microbubble, harmonic imaging, molecular imaging, polymer, lipid
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Functional and Molecular Ultrasound Imaging: Concepts and Contrast Agents
Volume: 16 Issue: 5
Author(s): F. Kiessling, J. Huppert and M. Palmowski
Affiliation:
Keywords: Sonography, microbubble, harmonic imaging, molecular imaging, polymer, lipid
Abstract: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has shown convincing results for monitoring vessel morphology, surrogate markers of vascularization and changes in molecular marker expression in oncological and cardiovascular diseases. Ultrasound contrast agents have the ability to increase the backscattering signal intensity of an ultrasound pulse. An interesting class of ultrasound contrast agents are gas filled microbubbles, which can be synthesized by external bubble encapsulation using sugar matrices or microspheres consisting of lipids or polymers with or without surfactant and by selecting gases with low blood solubility and diffusion coefficient such as perfluorocarbons or sulphur hexafluoride. Ultrasound contrast agents can be classified according to the rigidity of their shell. Soft-shell microbubbles are coated with a thin monolayer of surfactant molecules such as palmitic acid or phospholipids and are very sensitive to pressure changes. Hard-shell microbubbles have a rigid shell made of polymers such as polycyanoacrylate, which dramatically increases their stability. Depending on the acoustic properties of the microbubbles and on the purpose of the examination either destructive or non destructive methods are preferred for their detection. Microbubbles can be detected by destructive and non-destructive methods. Both soft- and hard-shell microbubbles coated with target-specific molecules can also be used for molecular imaging. Using target-specific approaches, the expression of several angiogenic markers such as VEGFR2, αvβ3 Integrins, ICAM, and E-selectin has been investigated in neoplastic and vascular diseases. This article summarizes the synthesis and properties of contrast agents as well as the indications, limitations and future potential of contrast-enhanced functional and molecular ultrasound.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Kiessling F., Huppert J. and Palmowski M., Functional and Molecular Ultrasound Imaging: Concepts and Contrast Agents, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 16 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709787458470
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709787458470 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Carotid Intima Media-thickness and Genes Involved in Lipid Metabolism in Diabetic Patients using Statins – a Pathway Toward Personalized Medicine
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Clinical Applicability of Conditioning Techniques in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Review of the Literature
Current Cardiology Reviews Resveratrol as a Potential Therapeutic Candidate for the Treatment and Management of Alzheimer's Disease
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Interaction Between Platelets and Cytokines - A Possible Role in the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Molecular Basis of Antiretroviral Drugs-Associated Long-Term Toxicity: How Bad can Good Drugs Be?
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Infective Agents Therapeutic Potential of microRNA Against Th2-associated Immune Disorders
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Antiplatelet Therapy And Percutaneous Coronary Interventions
Current Cardiology Reviews Effect on Serum Uric Acid Levels of Drugs Prescribed for Indications other than Treating Hyperuricaemia
Current Pharmaceutical Design Prevalence of Venous Thromboembolism in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Patients Admitted for Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Editorial(Current and Future Options for Lipid-lowering Therapy Beyond Statins)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial
Current Medical Imaging Quantitative Determination and Validation of Four Phenolic Acids in <i>Salvia Miltiorrhiza</i> Bunge using <sup>1</sup>H-NMR Spectroscopy
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis The Effect of DPP-4i on Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-controlled Trials
Current Pharmaceutical Design Potential Therapeutic Targeting of Platelet-Mediated Cellular Interactions in Atherosclerosis and Inflammation
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nampt/Visfatin/PBEF: A Functionally Multi-faceted Protein with a Pivotal Role in Malignant Tumors
Current Pharmaceutical Design VEGF Signal System: The Application of Antiangiogenesis
Current Medicinal Chemistry Aflibercept (VEGF-TRAP): The Next Anti-VEGF Drug
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Is Hypertension an Inflammatory Process?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Emerging Risk Factors for Cerebrovascular Disease
Current Drug Targets Past, Present and Future of Nutrigenomics and its Influence on Drug Development
Current Drug Discovery Technologies