A novel perfusion imaging technique of the pancreas: contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (with video).
BACKGROUND
Contrast-enhanced harmonic-imaging techniques have been unavailable for EUS because of the limited frequency bandwidth and acoustic power output of current echoendoscopes.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the contrast harmonic imaging technique by using a prototype echoendoscope equipped with an adequate broad-band transducer that can detect harmonic signals from the US contrast agents.


METHODS
Identification of optimal settings (study I) and preliminary clinical investigations (study II).


METHODS
Bethesda General Hospital Bergedorf.


METHODS
A total of 104 patients undergoing standard EUS examinations.


METHODS
Contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CEH-EUS) was performed by using a prototype echoendoscope and extended pure harmonic detection mode, a specific mode for contrast harmonic imaging.


METHODS
In study I, time-intensity curves for peak signal intensity were calculated after infusion of a contrast agent, SonoVue, and the changes in echo intensity were compared for different mechanical indices and interval times. In study II, intermittent and real-time continuous images of pancreatobiliary and gastroduodenal diseases obtained by CEH-EUS were evaluated in comparison with contrast-enhanced power-Doppler EUS (CED-EUS).


RESULTS
In study I, with the optimal mechanical index (0.4), homogeneous parenchymal perfusion images of the pancreas were obtained by intermittent imaging, and finely branching vessels of the pancreas were obtained with real-time continuous imaging. In study II, apparent perfusion and vessel images were observed in pancreatobiliary carcinomas, GI stromal tumors, and lymph-node metastases. CED-EUS failed to depict images of the fine vessels and parenchymal perfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
The subjective nature of the findings, with a limited number of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
CEH-EUS successfully visualized parenchymal perfusion and microvasculature in the pancreas and may play an important role in the differential diagnosis of digestive diseases.
D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019723:Endoscopes; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010743:Phospholipids; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride