超声分子成像是在超声医学成像的基础上,利用靶向超声造影剂为分子探针,以可视化和定量获取活体组织细胞的分子信息为目标的影像术。它不用进行手术活检,不仅可以给出病灶的空间信息,而且能确定它的性质,并可在低的临床风险下,实施针对性的治疗和对疗效进行评估。本文对现有的核医学分子成像,磁共振分子成像,光学分子成像和光声分子成像技术作了简单介绍,着重讨论了超声分子成像技术和应用的进展。
Ultrasound molecular imaging is a new field that aims to visualize and quantitatively measure the function of biological and cellular processes in vivo with targeted ultrasound contrast agents as molecular probes based on traditional anatomical imaging system. It may provide not only spatial information about lesions, but also determine its nature with noninvasive or minimally invasive molecular diagnostic capabilities, guide selection of specific therapy with reduced clinical risk, and improve the assessment of treatment efficacy. This article introduces several current molecular imaging systems, and highlights the advances of technique and application in ultrasound molecular imaging.