Advanced Fusion Imaging and Contrast-Enhanced Imaging (CT/MRI–CEUS) in Oncology

Abstract

Fusion imaging depicts an innovative technique that facilitates combining assets and reducing restrictions of advanced ultrasound and cross-sectional imaging. The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the role of fusion imaging for assessing hepatic and renal lesions. Between 02/2011–08/2020, 92 patients in total were included in the study, of which 32 patients had hepatic lesions, 60 patients had renal lesions. Fusion imaging was technically successful in all patients. No adverse side effects upon intravenous (i.v.) application of SonoVue® (Bracco, Milan, Italy) were registered. Fusion imaging could clarify all 11 (100%) initially as indeterminate described hepatic lesions by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI). Moreover, 5/14 (36%) initially suspicious hepatic lesions could be validated by fusion imaging, whereas in 8/14 (57%), malignant morphology was disproved. Moreover, fusion imaging allowed for the clarification of 29/30 (97%) renal lesions initially characterized as suspicious by CT/MRI, of which 19/30 (63%) underwent renal surgery, histopathology revealed malignancy in 16/19 (84%), and benignity in 3/19 (16%). Indeterminate findings could be elucidated by fusion imaging in 20/20 (100%) renal lesions. Its accessibility and repeatability, even during pregnancy and in childhood, its cost-effectiveness, and its excellent safety profile, make fusion imaging a promising instrument for the thorough evaluation of hepatic and renal lesions in the future.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) for the Evaluation of Bosniak III Complex Renal Cystic Lesions—A 10-Year Specialized European Single-Center Experience with Histopathological Validation

“…Moreover, by means of fusion imaging previously acquired data from CT and MRI scans may be integrated and processed in up-to-date ultrasound devices, allowing for real-time computerized fusion of cross-sectional images with ultrasound images in a real-time manner. Fusion imaging may allow to further evaluate focal renal lesions, particularly of previously as indeterminate described lesions [ 39 ].…”

Structured Reporting in the Characterization of Renal Cysts by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) Using the Bosniak Classification System—Improvement of Report Quality and Interdisciplinary Communication

“…The contrast-enhanced ultrasound is an increasingly utilized imaging modality with a high diagnostic accuracy for characterizing renal lesions [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Previous studies demonstrated that CEUS is more sensitive in detecting the contrast-enhancement of cystic renal lesions than contrast-enhanced CT and MRI [ 31 , 32 ].…”

“…The contrast-enhanced ultrasound is an increasingly utilized imaging modality with a high diagnostic accuracy for characterizing renal lesions [28][29][30]. Previous studies…”

Diagnostic Value of CEUS Prompting Liver Biopsy: Histopathological Correlation of Hepatic Lesions with Ambiguous Imaging Characteristics

“…Moreover, it was recently demonstrated that the combination of CEUS with previously acquired CT or MRI data in the context of advanced Fusion Imaging could help to decipher initially as indeterminate classified hepatic lesions [ 39 ].…”