Contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination of lymph nodes in different types of lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
Since the tumor growth depends on the formation of feeding vessels, color/power Doppler ultrasonography (US) has been used to evaluate the vascular flow images of lymph nodes (LNs) in order to differentiate benign LNs from malignant LNs or lymphoma from metastatic carcinoma.


METHODS
We performed color/power Doppler ultrasonography (US) using Levovist (LV) to evaluate the vascular patterns in the LNs of 10 patients with different types of lymphoma. The patterns were classified as central, peripheral, or avascular type.


RESULTS
Vascular flow was identified in 9 of 10 LNs and it was enhanced with LV in all cases. The vascular pattern of the LNs was of the central type in all seven B-cell lymphoma patients and one of two T-cell lymphoma patients and of the peripheral type in the remaining T-cell lymphoma patient. The avascular type pattern was observed in one Hodgkin lymphoma patient even with LV.


CONCLUSIONS
Typical vascular patterns might be associated with certain subtypes of lymphoma, and LV appears to improve the diagnostic value of Doppler US.
Nakase
Kazunori
K
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Mie University School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan. k2nakase@clin.medic.mie-u.ac.jp
Yamamoto
Kouji
K
Hiasa
Atsunori
A
Tawara
Isao
I
Yamaguchi
Motoko
M
Shiku
Hiroshi
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011134:Polysaccharides; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508