Multiparameter MRI Predictors of Long-Term Survival in Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Standard-of-care multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain were used to objectively subdivide glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors into regions that correspond to variations in blood flow, interstitial edema, and cellular density. We hypothesized that the distribution of these distinct tumor ecological "habitats" at the time of presentation will impact the course of the disease. We retrospectively analyzed initial MRI scans in 2 groups of patients diagnosed with GBM, a long-term survival group comprising subjects who survived >36 month postdiagnosis, and a short-term survival group comprising subjects who survived ≤19 month postdiagnosis.

Acoustic characterization and pharmacokinetic analyses of new nanobubble ultrasound contrast agents.

In contrast to the clinically used microbubble ultrasound contrast agents, nanoscale bubbles (or nanobubbles) may potentially extravasate into tumors that exhibit more permeable vasculature, facilitating targeted molecular imaging and drug delivery. Our group recently presented a simple strategy using the non-ionic surfactant Pluronic as a size control excipient to produce nanobubbles with a mean diameter of 200 nm that exhibited stability and echogenicity on par with microbubbles. The objective of this study was to carry out an in-depth characterization of nanobubble properties as compared with Definity microbubbles, both in vitro and in vivo.

Hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib: early detection of treatment response and major adverse events by contrast-enhanced US.

Background & Aims: Early prediction of tumour response and major adverse events (AEs), especially liver failure, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is essential for maximizing the clinical benefits of sorafenib. To evaluate the usefulness of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) for the early prediction of tumour response and major AEs in HCC patients.

Methods: Thirty-seven HCC patients were started on a reduced dosage of sorafenib, subsequently increased to the standard dosage.

Quantification in molecular ultrasound imaging: a comparative study in mice between healthy liver and a human hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the contrast kinetics of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-targeted microbubbles (BR55; Bracco Suisse, Geneva, Switzerland) compared to clinically used microbubbles (SonoVue; Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy) in both normal liver and human hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft tumors in mice.

Methods: Microbubbles were injected intravenously into healthy mice (n = 5) and mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft tumors (n = 10). Cine loops of contrast enhancement in normal liver and the tumors were acquired for 10 minutes.

Differentiation of focal liver lesions: usefulness of parametric imaging with contrast-enhanced US.

Purpose: To evaluate whether parametric imaging with contrast material-enhanced ultrasonography (US) is superior to visual assessment for the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions (FLLs).

Materials And Methods: This study had institutional review board approval, and verbal patient informed consent was obtained. Between August 2005 and October 2008, 146 FLLs in 145 patients (63 women, 82 men; mean age, 62.