PURPOSE: The purpose of this experimental work was evaluate the effects of low intensity in the auricular vein of rabbits. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were divided in two groups of ten animals. The groups differed about the place where the continuous and pulsed ultrasound were applied and the period that the material was collected for the morphologic examination (3 and 7 days). Acoustic coupling gel was used on marginal ear vein, each animal underwent continuous and pulsed ultrasound treatment, in segments previously marked with indelible ink. Each animal provided its own control. Ultrasound was used in the frequency of 3MHz, intensity of 3W/cm² in the pulsed and continuous modes during 10min in a stationary way. The group I was euthanized after 3 days and the group II after 7 days contemplating the acute phase of the inflammatory process. We applied the Fisher and Mc Nemar's tests for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Venous thrombosis and lymphocytes increment occurred significantly (p= 0,032) due continuous mode ultrasound. Other minor findings were congestion, edema, rupture of vessel wall and hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: continuous ultrasound causes venous thrombosis and lymphocytes increment.
Ultrasound; Ultrasound therapy; Vascular; Veins; Rabbit
