[Breast cancer recurrence versus scar. Ultrasonographic differentiation using Levovist as the contrast medium].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the scope of improving the distinction between a postoperative scar and the recurrence of a breast carcinoma through the use of the ultrasound echo enhancer Levovist?


METHODS
In 23 patients with 26 lesions a colour-coded duplex sonography examination before and after administration of Levovist was performed. The parameters investigated were: degree of enhancement, number of tumour vessels and the pattern of vascular morphology and anatomy.


RESULTS
Recurrences (n = 15) demonstrated a greater number of vessels and a stronger enhancement after administration of Levovist. Individual vessels were also visible in scars (n = 11). Further evaluations with respect to the pattern of the tumour vascularization are therefore necessary with the exception of one false positive and one negative result a clear distinction was possible.


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of the ultrasound echo enhancer clearly improved the otherwise difficult distinction between a scar and a tumour recurrence through sonography and mammography. Further studies with larger number of patients are necessary to establish the value of the method.
Stuhrmann
M
M
Röntgenabteilung des Gemeinschaftskrankenhauses Herdecke, Universität Witten-Herdecke. pavel-settele-wuppertal@t-online.de
Schwarz
T
T
Schietzel
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508