Ultrasonic assessment of articular cartilage using contrast medium

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We have developed the ultrasonic evaluation system for articular cartilage. However this system could detect degeneration of cartilage surface, but could not detect biomechanical properties of all layers of articular cartilage. We investigated the effectiveness of ultrasonic contrast medium for the evaluation system of articular cartilage. The reflex echogram form articular cartilage was shown as A-mode echogram. The peak-peak value was used as a quantitative index of articualr cartilage. Cartialge sample was immersed into contrast mediul for 10 minutes and after that, the sample was immersed in saline and analyzed by the ultrasonic evaluation system.The maximum peak-peak value of samples with contrast medium was 5.3 to 9.8 times higher than the sample without contrast medium. The peak -peak value of sample with contrast medium show the maximum within 2 minutes and decreased as the duration of saline immersion increased. Our finding indicated that ultrasound analysis using contrast medium can predict the biomechanical behavior of articular cartilage.