[Comparison of contrast harmonic imaging in B-mode with stimulated acoustic emission, conventional B-mode US and spiral CT in the detection of focal liver lesions].
OBJECTIVE
Comparison between contrast harmonic imaging (CHI) in B-mode with stimulated acoustic emission (SAE), conventional B-mode US, and spiral CT in the detection of focal liver lesions.


METHODS
In this pilot study 26 patients with liver lesions diagnosed by B-mode US and contrast-enhanced spiral-CT were additionally examined with CHI in B-mode. Each examination started with a bolus injection of 4 g of the US contrast agent Levovist (300 mg/ml) after a delay of at least 5 minutes to ensure liver-specific phase. All examinations were documented on video tapes and analysed by two radiologists.


RESULTS
81 liver lesions were diagnosed with both US examinations and spiral CT. B-mode US detected 66 lesions, CHI with SAE 72 lesions, and spiral CT 73 lesions. Compared to spiral CT 8 lesions in 3 patients could be depicted additionally with both US methods. Metastases and HCC present in CHI with SAE as not-enhancing signal contrast agent areas. Delineation of haemangiomas and FNH was often worse compared to the native examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
The new US method CHI with SAE depicted more lesions than conventional B-mode US and is in some cases superior to spiral CT.
Beissert
M
M
Institut für Röntgendiagnostik der Universität Würzburg. beissert@roentgen.uni-wuerzburg.de
Jenett
M
M
Keberle
M
M
Kessler
C
C
Klein
D
D
Beer
M
M
Hahn
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508