Ultrasound agents may open the blood-brain barrier in rats and aggravate pathologic consequences of experimental head trauma.

Unilateral intracarotid injection of contrast agents may considerably destabilize the blood–brain barrier in rats. This leads to vasogenic edema in the ipsilateral hemisphere. Mortality and extravasation increased significantly when administration of these ultrasound contrast agents was followed by mild traumatic brain injury. Direct administration to the cerebral circulation is, therefore, indicative for edema-related pathology and may amplify the consequences of experimental neurotrauma.