Modelling ultrasonic backscattering of an SPIO-MRI contrast agent
Résumé
The ultrasonic backscatter coefficient (BSC) of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, which are used as a liver MRI contrast agent, was simulated using a Yagi backscattering model. The BSC of SPIO cores that are aggregated in the lysosomes of Kupffer cells is significantly higher (85 dB) than the BSC of nonaggregated SPIO cores. Considering in vivo concentrations, the aggregated SPIO does not elevate the BSC of the liver markedly (9x10-6 dB). Thus, the reported visibility of SPIO in clinical ultrasound cannot be explained by classical scattering theory. Other non-linear effects need to be taken into account.
Domaines
Acoustique [physics.class-ph]
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)