[Feasability of real time contrast enhanced ultrasound in renal disease].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate feasibility of real-time contrast enhanced ultrasound in renal disease.


METHODS
Eighteen patients (sex-ratio=1: mean age 62.3 +/-18.1 years) presenting with several renal diseases were enrolled in the present study. Real time contrast enhanced sonography was performed using an ultrasound dedicated system Esatune (Esaote, Firenze, Italy) with a very low mechanical index (MI<0.1) and a dedicated contrast software CnTI after bolus injection of 2.4 ml Sonovue (Bracco, Milan, Italy). Detection, characterization and extension of renal masses as well as inflammatory and ischemic lesions were evaluated. The results were compared to those obtained by reference method such as contrast-enhanced CT-Scan or MRI.


RESULTS
This preliminary study gave some valuable results compared to baseline sonography: marked improvement in tumor delineation or internal microvasculature, detection of venous extension, improvement in cystic mass characterization. Diagnosis confidence was improved and reached 83% when diagnosis concordance with reference modality was improved by 50%.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results show that real-time contrast enhanced sonography could improve detection and characterization of renal masses by a complete assessment or arterial phase. Further studies are required to confirm these first results with possible advantages for the diagnosis of renal affections.
Tranquart
F
F
Service de Médecine Nucléaire et Ultrasons, CIT Ultrasons, CHU Bretonneau 37044 Tours Cédex. tranquart@med.univ-tours.fr
Correas
J M
JM
Martegani
A
A
Greppi
B
B
Bokor
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D052177:Kidney Diseases, Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride