Detection of Colorectal Cancer Hepatic Metastases with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: Comparison with Conventional B-Mode Ultrasound

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CE-US) could provide improved diagnostic information in detecting liver metastases from colorectal cancer as compared to B-mode non-enhanced ultrasound (B-US). 32 patients (M/F 23/9, age range 48–82 years, mean 58.2 years) under chemotherapy for colorectal cancer were examined with B-US and CE-US using a second-generation ultrasound contrast agent and a dedicated protocol for contrast detection. The presence of focal liver lesions along with the number, size, pre- and post-contrast sonographic features were recorded digitally. Lesion conspicuity with a three-grade scoring scale was performed on both techniques and contrast intensity measurements were calculated for each focal lesion. CE-US detected 17% more metastases in patient-by-patient and lesion-by-lesion analysis. A statistically significant difference was found between the scoring mean values with regard to conspicuity of the lesions. Accurate characterization of the liver lesions was achievable only with contrast-enhanced technique. A quantitative contrast intensity measurement method confirmed the invariably washing-out vascular pattern in all metastases at sinusoidal-parenchymal liver phase. In conclusion, CE-US is superior to B-US and provides an effective tool in the investigation of colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Evaluation of gallbladder and biliary duct disease using microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound

“…This frequency is contrast-agent specific and is determined primarily by microbubble diameter. It is opportune that the range of frequencies used for abdominal US imaging (3)(4)(5) corresponds to the resonant frequency of 3-5 mm microbubbles.…”

“…Studies have shown that the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) substantially improves the detection and the characterisation of focal liver lesions when compared with conventional US [3,4]. In addition, studies have also demonstrated significant concordance between findings at CEUS and those of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging [5].…”

Estudio de las metástasis hepáticas de cáncer colorrectal con rescate quirúrgico en un hospital de tercer nivel: identificación de marcadores biológicos pronósticos

“…Las limitaciones fundamentales de la ECOI son las lesiones superficiales (7.5 MHz) y los pacientes con hígado graso. La ECOI detecta un 5-10% de las lesiones no vistas por la TC helicoidal o no palpables 70,[285][286][287] .…”

“…Además de la detección de nuevas lesiones, su valor fundamental es servir de guía anatómica para la resección y conseguir un adecuado margen quirúrgico 70 . La combinación de ECOI y palpación, detectan virtualmente el 100% de las lesiones hepáticas 273,285,287,288 .…”

Plataforma de ultrassom programável dedicada à pesquisa

“…Diversas características da técnica contribuem para torná-la uma importante ferramenta diagnóstica, destacando-se a capacidade de gerar imagens em tempo real em qualquer orientação espacial do interior dos tecidos. Além disso, não apresenta efeitos nocivos para diagnósticos em medicina quanto utilizado na faixa de intensidade permitida, é minimamente invasivo, não possui radiação ionizante e permite a visualização de diferentes tipos de tecidos [7].…”