Improved characterisation of focal liver tumours: dynamic power Doppler imaging using NC100100 echo-enhancer.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the vascularisation of focal hepatic tumours using NC100100, enhanced power Doppler imaging.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with focal liver tumours (12 metastases and ten hemangiomas) were studied. Using standardised settings, power Doppler imaging with ATL HDI3000 was performed before and after intravenous administration of NC100100 contrast agent. The video-recorded examinations were digitised for off-line analysis on a personal computer. Regions of interest were defined over the entire tumour and a neighbouring area of the normal liver parenchyma. The temporal changes of the mean power Doppler signal intensity (PDSI) was quantified to provide contrast agent wash-in (PDSI-time) curves for the initial 40 s.


RESULTS
Liver metastases were characterised by a rapid increase in PDSI, while the PDSI-time curves within hemangiomas were flat. The PDSI within the tumour increased significantly in ten subjects with liver metastases and only one subject with hemangioma. An enhanced rim around hemangiomas was seen in four subjects. There was no clear relationship between the contrast agent dose and the peak PDSI within metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
Power Doppler imaging with NC100100 contrast agent enhances tumour visualisation and may aid differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions.
Ramnarine
K V
KV
Department of Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary, UK. kramnarine@ed.ac.uk
Kyriakopoulou
K
K
Gordon
P
P
McDicken
N W
NW
McArdle
C S
CS
Leen
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D010087:Oxides; C069727:Sonazoid; D007501:Iron