An Organ Flow Model for Developing Vascular Characterization Using Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) Imaging

Whilst the detection of structural and dynamic variations in small blood vessels could aid the early detection of a large number of non-communicable diseases, current imaging methods do not provide reliable measurements of such changes. A realistic Small Vessel Vascular Bed (SVVB) model is presented here that can address microvascular changes and flow-redistribution related to such diseases. The location of abnormal structures within the SVVB may result in varying degrees of flow redistribution, which can have a different impact on CEUS images. In a series of in silico experiments, the SVVB was traversed by MB bolus injections and CEUS parametric mapping was used to detect regions of abnormal perfusion. In general, it was shown that alterations to the flow in the SVVB were reflected in parametric maps but the dynamic adaptation of the flow presents a significant challenge for CEUS measurements. Specifically, the flow redistribution, which is highly significant when areas around the main flow path are affected, is not possible to quantify or assess with CEUS. Thus, the differentiation of abnormal vascular patterns from normal ones becomes problematic with conventional CEUS quantification approaches.