The promise of sonographic contrast agents in the kidney

The ability of current ultrasound scanners to detect tissue perfusion is limited. An attempt to overcome this restricted color and spectral Doppler sensitivity has given rise to recent ‘power Doppler’ techniques which demonstrate smaller, more peripheral vessels [1]. However, detection of parenchymal blood flow in organs that are not extremely superficial and relatively motionless remains difficult. Therefore, enhancement of the detection of blood flow by intravenous ultrasound contrast agents may allow a significant expansion of sonographic diagnostic capabilities. Such an agent may improve the ability of existing equipment to detect blood flow, perhaps avoiding costly upgrades.