Research

The research activity of our group is now mainly focused on the use of micro-bubbles contrast media for ultrasound imaging and on the assessment of their role for diagnostic imaging.

Research has moved from the use of a high mechanical index detection software with intermittent technique and static visualization to the use of resonance contrast media and a low mechanical index detection software for real time harmonic imaging; the analysis of results is performed using also a high mechanical index harmonic detection software combined with micro-bubbles destruction techniques and real time observations.

At the moment our main fields of interest are: assess the diagnostic usefulness of contrast medium to identify and characterize focal liver lesions; quantify the transit of micro-bubbles through the healthy and diseased liver following a bolus injection; study the transit time of contrast medium in the healthy kidney and in the kidney affected by nephropathies; assess the usefulness of contrast medium to place a differential diagnosis of focal kidney lesion of about 3 cm in size.

Other studies regard the use of contrast medium, both with a resonance and destruction technique, in other organs and structures like the breast, the prostate, the testicles, muscles and tendons, and, with hysterosalpingosonography, the uterine cavity and the adnexa.