Contrast enhanced ultrasound of splenic lymphoma involvement.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with standard B-mode ultrasound (US) for diagnosis of splenic lymphoma involvement.


METHODS
From 04/2005 to 10/2008 n=250 lymphoma patients were investigated by standard B-mode US. A homogeneous splenic echotexture was found in 199 patients (79%). To clarify the benefit of CEUS in this group a pilot series was performed with 16 of the 199 lymphoma patients. All patients with an abnormal splenic echotexture on standard B-Mode US (n=51) including focal hypoechoic splenic lesions (n=41) and an inhomogeneous splenic texture (n=10) were studied by CEUS. CEUS data were retrospectively evaluated. The diagnoses included indolent lymphoma (n=27), aggressive lymphoma (n=14), and Hodgkin's disease (n=10). Number and size of lesions were determined by B-mode US and CEUS. The visualisation of splenic lymphoma involvement by CEUS in comparison to B-mode US was classified as worse, equal, or better.


RESULTS
All patients with a homogeneous spleen on B-mode US (n=16) had no visible focal lesions on CEUS. Study patients with focal lesions (n=41) had a hypoechoic (n=22) or isoechoic (n=19) enhancement during the arterial phase, and a hypoechoic enhancement during the parenchymal phase (n=41). The visualisation of focal splenic lymphoma was equal (n=32), better (n=6), or worse (n=3). In all study patients with an inhomogeneous spleen on B-mode US (n=10) no focal lesions were found by CEUS and the value of CEUS therefore was classified as worse.


CONCLUSIONS
CEUS has no clear advantage for diagnosis of splenic lymphoma involvement.
Görg
Christian
C
Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Baldingerstraße, 35033 Marburg/Lahn, Germany. goergc@med.uni-marburg.de
Faoro
Charis
C
Bert
Tillmann
T
Tebbe
Johannes
J
Neesse
Albrecht
A
Wilhelm
Christian
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride