title: Microbubble contrast agent for color Doppler US: effect on breast masses. Work in progress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of a new microbubble contrast agent for ultrasound (US) on breast masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients underwent color Doppler US before and after intravenous injection of a "contrast agent" containing microbubbles. The authors subjectively evaluated the increase in intensity of the Doppler signals, the changes in the vascular patterns, and the timing of the transit of the microbubble bolus. The diagnostic confidence was assessed before and after administration of contrast material.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After contrast material injection, there was greater and longer signal enhancement in the cancers than in the benign lesions. The cancers displayed characteristic vascular morphologic features, with more additional vessels visualized in relation to the lesion and a greater increase in vascular tortuousity. Shunts between vessels were demonstrated in all cancers but were not seen in any benign lesion. The diagnostic confidence increased with use of the contrast agent. The appearance at contrast-enhanced US led to a change in the US diagnosis in four patients. This increased both sensitivity and specificity to 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Injection of a microbubble agent enabled accurate differentiation of benign masses from carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Royal Marsden Hospital, Surrey, England.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kedar
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cosgrove
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: McCready
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bamber
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508