Figure 2.

Perfusion-guided sonopermeation of neuroblastoma tumor models using qCEUS imaging techniques to monitor vascular changes. (A) A rotating syringe pump was used to administer constant infusions over long periods of time during sonopermeation experiments. (B) Screen captures from the clinical ultrasound scanner illustrate non-linear 2D imaging of a neuroblastoma tumor sonopermeated using 1x10⁹ MBs. The selection of appropriate ROIs encompassing the sonopermeated focal zone (solid white line) and a designated control region (dashed white line) at the periphery of the tumor has been indicated. The series of ultrasound images show contrast enhancement before sonopermeation, followed by focused ultrasound triggered microbubble destruction in vivo during four sonopermeation treatment cycles, culminating in MB recovery within the tumor space post-sonopermeation; the accompanying time-intensity curves (TICs) - corresponding to the “treated” and “untreated” ROIs - have been split into three matching stages. (C) MB reperfusion after the initial (FD-1 = 300 s) and final (FD-2 = 630 s) flash-destruction pulses were fitted to an exponential model and the resultant curves were compared to assess sonopermeation-mediated changes in perfusion kinetics.