Endoscopy 1997; 29(7): 635-639
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1004270
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Contrast-Enhanced Endoscopic Ultrasonography with Galactose Microparticles: SHU508 A (Levovist)

M. S. Bhutani1 , B. J. Hoffman2 , A. van Velse2 , R. H. Hawes2
  • 1Dept. of Veterans' Affairs Medical Center and Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
  • 2Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

Background and Study Aims: To evaluate the utility of a suspension of galactose microparticles available as SHU508 A (Levovist) as a contrast agent during endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).

Materials and Methods: Three sets of experiments were performed on three 20-25 kg swine (Sus scrofa) under general anesthesia. Upper EUS was performed with an echo endoscope with color Doppler capability (Pentax FG-32 UA). The celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, aorta, portal vein, pancreas, and gastrointestinal wall were imaged by EUS. Multiple intravenous bolus injections of 400 mg/ml of SHU508 A were made, and their effect on color Doppler and gray-scale imaging during EUS was studied.

Results: After contrast injection there was a significant, visually noticeable enhancement of the color Doppler signals from the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, and portal vein. Vessels with weak to no color Doppler signals before injection of SHU508 A - for example, the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery - were observed to have strong color signals after injection. The effect of SHU508 A on color Doppler imaging was easily appreciated subjectively without the need for complex quantitative measurements. No visually noticeable color Doppler enhancement was seen in vessels such as the aorta that had a very pronounced color Doppler signal even prior to the injection of contrast. Movement of particulate matter was seen in the portal vein on the gray scale.

Conclusion: Intravenous SHU508 A as a contrast agent significantly enhances color Doppler signals during EUS. Vascular contrast of this sort could potentially have a significant role in improving the accuracy of EUS in diagnosing malignant vascular invasion, the detection of occult pancreatic neoplasms, and the diagnosis of vascular thrombosis.

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