[Imaging of intra-arterial hepatic port catheter systems by power-doppler sonography using contrast media--preliminary results].
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine whether intra-arterial hepatic port catheter systems can be adequately detected by contrast-enhanced power-Doppler sonography.


METHODS
15 patients with a liver port system were investigated before chemotherapy. Examinations were performed with short bolus injections of the contrast medium Levovist in addition to angiographic imaging.


RESULTS
Liver port systems were easily detected by the contrast-enhanced power-Doppler method. In 11 out of 15 patients a correct flow of the contrast medium via the port system was seen with both examination methods. One partially occluded hepatic artery was not identified by power-Doppler despite correct flow of the contrast fluid. In one of three patients showing an incorrect flow of the contrast medium the blood circulated primarily through the splenic artery due to a dislocation of the catheter tip. Circulation through both the hepatic and the splenic arteries was shown in a second patient and an occluded right hepatic artery was demonstrated in a third. All these findings were observed with both examination techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Power-Doppler sonography provides a reliable image of the port catheter system. This method can be used as a follow-up procedure to determine the state of arterial hepatic circulation during chemotherapy.
Puls
R
R
Medizinische Fakultät Charité, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin.
Stroszczynski
C
C
Hildebrandt
B
B
Hosten
N
N
Bechstein
W O
WO
Riess
H
H
Felix
R
R
D000368:Aged; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008102:Liver Circulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media