Experimental study of normal liver contrast ultrasonography by transient response imaging

Objective To assess the effectiveness of transient response imaging (TRI) in ultrasound contrast of normal liver, triggered second harmonic imaging (SHI) and nontriggered SHI were used in the comparsion. Methods Five normal rabbits were imaged with transient SHI, fundamental and continuous SHI, fundamental imaging after intravenously injection of perfluorocarbon contrast agent. The subjective scores and video intensities were used to estimate contrast effects.Results There was significant visual liver parenchyma enhancement of triggered fundamental or SHI than that of conventional mode. The video intensities of fundamental imaging were 93.63±10.19 (nonTRI) and 110±10.35 (TRI) corresponding to 118.63±18.49 (nonTRI) and 142.13±19.8 (TRI) in SHI.Conclusion Triggered SHI and fundamental imaging could significantly promote the gray scale enhancement of normal liver, especially in second harmonic imaging.