Computer-assisted quantitative assessment of power Doppler US: effects of microbubble contrast agent in the differentiation of breast tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To objectively quantify the effects of a microbubble contrast agent to differentiate breast tumors with power doppler ultrasound and to compare these results with color doppler ultrasound (CD US).


METHODS
In 47 patients a microbubble contrast agent was injected intravenously. Computer-assisted quantitative assessment of the color pixel density was performed to evaluate the increase in Doppler signals. Results were compared to previously published results of a color Doppler ultrasound study.


RESULTS
Peak color pixel density at contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasound was higher for carcinomas than for benign tumors (P < 0.03). Time to peak enhancement was shorter in carcinomas than in benign tumors (P < 0.01). For both parameters, diagnostic accuracy of power Doppler ultrasound was 69 and 78%, and for color Doppler ultrasound 62 and 76%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Quantitative assessment of contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasound showed significant differences in malignant and benign breast tumors. Diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasound was higher compared to color Doppler ultrasound.
Kettenbach
Joachim
J
Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. joachim.kettenbach@univie.ac.at
Helbich
Thomas H
TH
Huber
Sabine
S
Zuna
Ivan
I
Dock
Wolfgang
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D008875:Middle Aged; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary
D003287:Contrast Media