Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for blunt hepatic trauma: an animal experiment.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to study the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of active hemorrhage and intraparenchymal lesions in blunt hepatic trauma versus conventional ultrasound (US).


METHODS
Twenty heparinized and anesthetized domestic pigs have been created to animal models with blunt hepatic trauma by a special impacting device. Conventional US and CEUS were performed to determine if hepatic traumas were present.


RESULTS
Active hemorrhage, the presence of intraparenchymal lesions, and sonographic pattern were evaluated for conventional US and CEUS, as compared with laparotomy and pathologic findings. Contrast-enhanced US detected active hemorrhage from the injured livers in all cases, but conventional US did not find that in any case. The sensitivity of CEUS and conventional US in diagnosing intraparenchymal lesions of blunt hepatic trauma were 100% and 60%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced US is more sensitive than conventional US in determining the active hemorrhage and intraparenchymal lesions in blunt hepatic trauma.
Yekuo
Li
L
Department of Ultrasound, Liuhuaqiao Hospital, Guangzhou 510010, China. yekuoli@hotmail.com
Shasha
Wang
W
Xiansheng
Zhu
Z
Qi
Chen
C
Guoxin
Luo
L
Feng
Huo
H
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D007813:Laparotomy; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries*; D010743:Phospholipids; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D013552:Swine; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride