Abstract

Introduction

Materials & Methods

Results

Discussion & Conclusion

References

Discussion
Board

We performed a series of experiments to clarify the ability of ultrasound contrast media to define ocular fluid interfaces. Ultrasound contrast media consisting of a suspension of polymer microbubbles 1 µm in diameter (SHU563A - Schering AG, Berlin) was injected into various ocular compartments of 10 cadaver eyes. Imaging was performed with a 60 MHz ultrasound biomicroscopic system, and a 7.5 MHz doppler ultrasound imaging system. Regions containing ultrasound contrast media could be clearly imaged by high frequency ultrasound as a space containing fine diffuse scatterers. These fluid spaces could be differentiated from those areas without contrast media. Doppler ultrasound produced disruption of the microbubbles which was imaged on color doppler as multi-hued patterns. These patterns aided definition of fluid distribution. These techniques were used to demonstrate various aspects of vitreous structure, including vitreous tracts, the anterior and posterior vitreous faces, and pathways of fluid through the vitreous. The iris valve effect was defined by the presence of contrast in the anterior chamber, and absence in the posterior chamber on anterior chamber injection. The method was used to create a malignant glaucoma model that helped clarify the events taking place in this disease. The ultrasound contrast agent SHU563A can be used experimentally to allow imaging of anatomic interfaces otherwise not visible, and provides a means of studying fluid distribution in the eye.

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Presentation Number SApavlin 0809
Keywords: ultrasound, contrast agent, glaucoma