Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for quantification of skeletal muscle perfusion

The purpose was to develop a clinically feasible contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) method to quantify skeletal muscle perfusion. For high mechanical index CEUS, power Doppler ultrasonography (7MHz) after intravenous bolus injection of 10 mL Levovist® (SH U 508A; Schering, Berlin) was used. The perfusion parameters local blood volume, blood flow, and blood flow velocity were quantified by analysing replenishment kinetics. In studies on volunteers, the validity of the CEUS method was demonstrated. Perfusion measured by CEUS and venous occlusion plethysmography correlated significantly (r=0.8; P