Abstract Objective: To investigate the characters of the dynamic sonographic changes of liver cirrhosis in rats after contrast enhancement and evaluate its role in detecting liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Method: Model of liver cirrhosis was established in 80 rats by subcutaneously injecting CCl4, which were divided into one control group and 4 groups according to modeling time(6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks respectively). The time-intensity curve of rat’s parenchyma was drawn with video frequency analysis after ultrasound contrast agent was injected intravenously and time to peak(TP), peak intensity(PI), half time of descent(HT), descending slope(DS), area under the curve(AUC) and mean transit time(MTT) were measured and compared. Results: The models of rat’s liver cirrhosis in different stages were established successfully and they could reflect the pathological progress of the cirrhosis. With the aggravation of cirrhosis, the values of TP, PI and HT tended to rise gradually while DS was contrary(compared between 6~12 weeks and control groups and between 6, 8 weeks groups and 10, 12 weeks groups, the differences were significant, P<0.01). Otherwise, the changes of AUC and MTT were not significant(P>0.05). Conclusion: The changes of rats’ hepatic sonograph present some regularity with the development of cirrhosis, which can be reflected by TIC. It also provides a new possibility for non-invasive diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.
2006, Vol. 17 
