Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of infected focal liver lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the features of infected focal liver lesions on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. METHODS: Thirty-two hepatic abscesses, 15 infected granulomas, and 6 inflammatory pseudotumors in 53 patients were evaluated with real-time CEUS before awareness of the definitive diagnosis. A 2.4-mL dose of a sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubble contrast agent was administered by intravenous bolus injection. RESULTS: The numbers of abscesses with hyperenhancement, isoenhancement, and hypoenhancement in the arterial phase were 26 (81.3%), 5 (15.6%), and 1 (3.1%), respectively. Thirty (93.8%) lesions were irregularly rim enhanced with nonenhanced areas; enhanced septa were shown in 22 (68.8%) lesions; and transient hyperenhancement of liver parenchyma around the lesion was shown in 20 (62.5%). In 31 abscesses with hyperenhancement or isoenhancement in the arterial phase, 25 (80.6%) showed contrast wash-out and changed in appearance to hypoenhancement in the late phase. As for infected granulomas and inflammatory pseudotumors, 16 (76.2%) lesions showed hyperenhancement or isoenhancement in the arterial phase, and all of them were hypoenhanced in the portal and late phases. CONCLUSIONS: Most infected focal liver lesions showed more rapid contrast wash-out than the surrounding liver parenchyma, which is similar to malignant lesions. Abscesses typically showed features of rim enhancement, enhanced internal septa, nonenhanced central necrotic areas, and transient hyperenhanced liver parenchyma around the lesions. The CEUS appearance of infected granulomas and inflammatory pseudotumors was variable, and a biopsy was necessary for definitive diagnosis.     

Contrast‐Enhanced Sonographic Follow‐up After Stenting of Visceral Artery Aneurysms

We report 2 cases of exclusion of visceral artery aneurysms. The first was a common hepatic artery aneurysm treated with a multilayer stent; the second was a celiac trunk aneurysm excluded by a covered stent. Computed tomographic angiography was performed at regular intervals after each procedure, together with echo color Doppler imaging and contrast‐enhanced sonography. Computed tomographic angiography and contrast‐enhanced sonography were able to detect endoleaks in both patients and the related inflow vessel; moreover, diameter measurements of the sacs were identical. In our preliminary experience, contrast‐enhanced sonography appeared to be as accurate as computed tomographic angiography after endovascular visceral artery aneurysm exclusion.     

Contrast‐Enhanced Sonography for Monitoring Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a mainstay in treating soft tissue sarcomas. Soft tissue sarcomas can show an increase in size and central necrosis, with a decrease in the viable tumor, as an initial response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Thus, the maximum tumor diameter may not reliably assess the response to this therapy. Contrast‐enhanced sonography may address this limitation. We evaluated 4 patients with soft tissue sarcomas by contrast‐enhanced sonography, performed concomitantly with conventional imaging (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or positron emission tomography). Quantitative analysis was also performed on 1 sarcoma. A viable, enhancing tumor versus tumor necrosis was nearly identical on contrast‐enhanced sonography and conventional imaging. Preliminary results demonstrate potential for contrast‐enhanced sonographic monitoring of soft tissue sarcomas during neoadjuvant chemotherapy.     

Novel Use of Contrast‐Enhanced Sonography in the Diagnosis of Central Uterine Necrosis Following Embolization for Postpartum Hemorrhage

Since 2007, we have identified 2 cases of central uterine necrosis after uterine arterial embolization for postpartum hemorrhage. Contrast‐enhanced sonography showed an absence of enhancement of the internal myometrium. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium confirmed the diagnosis. The images obtained for the first case were corroborated by histologic analysis from a hysterectomy done for sepsis. For the second case, contrast‐enhanced sonography performed during a follow‐up period of conservative treatment revealed a reduction of necrosis. Our study shows that contrast‐enhanced sonography seems to be a useful examination as an adjunct to grayscale and power Doppler imaging in the diagnosis and follow‐up of uterine necrosis.     

超声造影功率多普勒谐频成像在肝肿瘤诊断中的应用

目的：评价功率（俗称“能量”）多普勒超声造影检测肝肿瘤内血流信号的能力。方法：对未治疗的56例57个肝脏占位性病变进行超声造影功率多普勒谐频成像检查，其中原发性肝癌47个，胆管细胞性肝癌3个，转移性肝癌3个，肝血管瘤2个，肝局灶性结节增生2个。所有病人注射造影剂后于早期动脉相观察肿瘤内的血流灌注情况，并与动态增强CT结果比较。结果：功率多普勒谐频成像显示肝肿瘤内造影增强80．7％（46／57）、负性增强19．3％（11／57）。与动态增强CT相比，功率多普勒谐频成像显示肿瘤内血流信号的敏感性、特异性和准确性分别为83．6％、100％和84．2％。肿瘤的深度是影响谐频成像结果的重要因素。结论：对一定深度范围内的肝肿瘤，功率多普勒谐频成 像可以敏感而准确地显示不同肝肿瘤的血流灌注情况，估计肿瘤血供特点，有助于肝肿瘤的诊断和鉴别诊断。     

Benign Tumors and Pseudotumors of the Nail

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the scope of high‐resolution sonography in the detection of benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail unit. Methods. We performed a retrospective study of the sonographic findings in 103 consecutive patients with benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail that were medically derived and confirmed histologically. Statistical analysis (Student t test) was performed comparing clinical and sonographic diagnoses. Results. Common benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail can be detected on sonography, and they present different sonographic morphologic characteristics. According to origin, the lesions were considered ungual in 73% (n = 75) and periungual in 27% (n = 28) of the cases. Sonography showed their nature (solid or cystic), location, and extension as well as regional blood flow. In 35% of the cases, the use of sonography modified the clinical diagnosis, although the detailed anatomic information provided by sonography was useful in the planning of surgery in all cases. The addition of sonography was significant (P < .001) for the diagnosis of subungual exostosis and granulomas in comparison to clinical diagnosis. Conclusions. Sonography is a noninvasive imaging method that can reliably detect common benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail and provide precise data about their characteristics. This imaging modality can support diagnosis and surgery and can allow a better definition and improvement of the cosmetic outcome of the treatment.     

动态灰阶超声造影在肝肿瘤鉴别诊断中的应用

目的 探讨动态灰阶谐波超声造影在肝肿瘤鉴别诊断中的作用。方法 选择24例肝内实质性占位病变进行灰阶谐波超声造影和动态观察，全部病例均经手术和病理证实。造影剂选用Levovist，浓度为400mg／m1，以团注形式经肘部浅静脉注入。结果 24例患者证实25个病灶，其中肝癌16个，肝血管瘤3个，肝局灶性结节性增生(FNH)2个，肝炎性假瘤1个，肝血管平滑肌脂肪瘤(AML)3个。除肝炎性假瘤外，其余病灶经超声造影后均有不同程度的增强。肝癌动脉相呈早期强化，消失较快；肝血管瘤增强速度较慢，呈周边强化；FNH和AML亦早期增强，但持续时间较长。如以动脉相增强呈高回声而门脉相消失呈低回声音考虑为肝癌，反之考虑为良性肿瘤，则本组超声造影诊断肝癌的敏感性、特异性及准确性分别为94％(15／16)，89％(8／9)，92％(23／25)。结论 动态灰阶谐波超声造影对提高肝肿瘤的鉴别诊断具有实用价值。     

兔肝炎性假瘤的超声显像及其病理基础

目的探讨兔肝炎性假瘤声像图特征及其病理基础。 方法10只肝内接种炎性假瘤的实验兔,应用超声显像观察兔肝炎性假瘤的二维声像图特点、彩色多普勒血流显像,并与病理结果相对照。 结果15个炎性假瘤结节在B超上均表现为等回声或不均匀高回声区,边界尚清晰,其后方无明显增强或衰减表现,个别有弱声晕。彩色多普勒检查,9个结节周边可见点状血流信号,4个结节周围有较明显血流信号并测及静脉频谱,2个结节周边和内部均未见明显血流信号。这些表现均与其病理显示相吻合。 结论超声显像仅可作为肝炎性假瘤提示诊断的初步手段,确诊只能依靠病理检查。     

Multiparametric Sonography of Hematologic Malignancies of the Testis: Grayscale,Color Doppler,and Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound and Strain Elastographic Appearances With Histologic Correlation

Primary testicular lymphoma is rare and appears with nonspecific findings on grayscale and color Doppler sonography. We present 8 patients further examined with contrast‐enhanced sonography, strain elastography, and histologic analysis after orchiectomy. Seven of 8 patients had a diagnosis of large B‐cell lymphoma, and 1 of 8 had a diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma, with solitary lesions (2 of 8), multiple lesions (3 of 8), or entire testicular involvement (3 of 8). Lesions appeared hypoechoic (7 of 8) or isoechoic (1 of 8), all with increased vascularity on color Doppler sonography and a nonbranching linear pattern of intratumoral vessels (7 of 8). Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) confirmed this pattern and showed increased enhancement in all lesions. On strain elastography, all lesions were hard, with an elasticity score of greater than 4. Multiparametric sonography of testicular lymphoma identifies increased vascularity on color Doppler and contrast‐enhanced ultrasound and increased lesion stiffness on strain elastography.     

超声造影在子宫平滑肌瘤诊断中的初步应用

目的探讨子宫平滑肌瘤的超声造影特征并与其他病变相鉴别.方法采用SonoVue造影剂结合新型CPS实时超声造影技术,对45例子宫肌瘤及子宫腺肌瘤的超声造影过程进行观察.结果超声造影诊断子宫肌瘤71个,其中经超声造影检出5个二维及彩色多普勒未能发现的小肌瘤,所有病例均经手术后病理检查或临床随访证实.子宫肌瘤造影表现为注入造影剂后可见肌瘤周边首先出现造影剂增强呈环状,然后内部迅速充盈;消退时肌瘤中央先消退,周边仍呈环状增强,然后周边逐渐消退.子宫腺肌瘤的造影表现与子宫肌瘤不相同,其特点为注入造影剂后可见多支较粗大的短线样增强信号自病灶周边伸入内部,未见周边环状增强.结论超声造影显示子宫肌瘤的血流灌注具有一定特征性,据此可为子宫肌瘤的诊断及鉴别诊断提供重要依据.     

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound findings in a case of renal extramedullary hematopoiesis

We present the case of an 80‐year‐old man with two renal solid masses found at sonography, which were imaged by contrast‐enhanced ultrasound, CT, and MRI and confirmed histologically. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound findings suggested a benign mass and a CT‐guided biopsy yielded a diagnosis of extramedullary hematopoiesis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013     

Segmental Testicular Infarction

Segmental testicular infarction can mimic testicular carcinoma on sonography and can lead to unnecessary orchiectomy. This case series describes and correlates sonographic and histologic findings of 7 pathologically proven segmental testicular infarction cases. Segmental testicular infarction should be suspected on sonography when a geographic lesion with low or mixed echogenicity has absent or near‐absent flow in a patient with scrotal pain. A hyperechoic rim and peripheral hyperemia correspond to interstitial hemorrhage and inflammatory changes. As an infarct evolves, it becomes more discrete and hypoechoic as ghost outlines replace seminiferous tubules. Follow‐up or contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging or sonography can increase diagnostic confidence in suspected cases and prevent unnecessary orchiectomy.     

超声造影在肝占位性病变诊断中的应用

目的探讨超声造影剂声诺维(SonoVue)在不同肝占位性病变中超声造影特点.方法对30例原发性肝癌、17例转移性肝癌、8例肝血管瘤、7例肝局灶性结节增生、9例结节性肝硬化、1例炎性包块,共72例患者的肝占位性病变进行实时超声造影检查,并与彩色多普勒超声、增强CT及病理结果进行比较.结果经超声造影后,各种肝内占位性病灶均显示不同程度的增强特点.肝癌表现多为动脉相快速显影,门脉相快速消退,呈"快进快出"型;肝血管瘤动脉相时无明显变化,增强方式以门静脉期周边缓慢增强,呈向心样填充,即从周边向中心部持续充填,造影剂显影持续时间较长;肝转移癌动脉相为均匀性增强或周边环状增强,内部可有轻度点状增强改变,实质期迅速出现回声减弱改变,易发现微小病灶;肝局灶性结节增生也为动脉期迅速增强,表现为门静脉期保持呈持续增强改变,以中央扩散型的均匀持续增强为主,在延迟相中有明显的造影剂摄取.结论不同的肝占位性病变在实时超声造影能表现出不同的时相特点,超声造影有助于提高对肝肿瘤超声诊断的特异性、敏感性及准确性.     

Global Testicular Infarction in the Presence of Epididymitis

Epididymitis is common, presenting indolently with unilateral scrotal pain and swelling. Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment and resolves with antibiotic therapy. Recognized complications are abscess formation and segmental infarction. Global testicular infarction is rare. Diagnosis is important and requires surgical management. On grayscale sonography, global infarction may be difficult to establish. The addition of color Doppler imaging is useful but is observer experience dependent with limitations in the presence of low flow. Contrast‐enhanced sonography is useful for unequivocally establishing the diagnosis. We report global testicular infarction in 2 patients with epididymitis clearly depicted on contrast‐enhanced sonography, allowing immediate surgical management.     

Bedside Contrast‐Enhanced Sonography of Critically Ill Patients

The transfer of critically ill patients to the radiology department is, in itself, potentially dangerous, so radiologists are frequently asked to perform bedside sonographic studies in the intensive care unit, surgical or medical department, sterile area, and operating room. In these circumstances, injection of a contrast agent may give the radiologist relevant additional information, which is useful for diagnosis and for better therapeutic management of these critically ill patients. Contrast‐enhanced sonography may allow detection of findings not recognizable on baseline sonography or even color Doppler imaging. In this pictorial essay, we highlight the value of real‐time contrast‐enhanced sonography when performed at the bedside in critically ill patients.     

经静脉超声造影增强肝肿瘤彩色血流信号的临床研究

目的探讨经静脉超声造影对肝肿瘤彩色血流信号的增强作用及其在肿瘤的诊断和鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法经外周浅静脉注射声学造影剂后,观察３３例肝肿瘤７５个瘤结节造影前、后瘤结节内、外彩色血流增强情况。结果１６例原发性肝癌２５个瘤结节内及瘤周彩色血流明显增强;６例转移性肝癌２２个瘤结节内彩色血流无明显增强,但瘤周血流增强明显;１１例肝血管瘤２８个瘤结节内彩色血流在造影即刻无明显增强,延迟显影则有明显增强,     

超声造影谐频成像与螺旋CT对肝癌非手术治疗后疗效的评价

目的　评价比较超声造影双向脉冲谐频成像和螺旋CT在判断肝肿瘤治疗效果方面的价值。方法　对经多种非手术治疗后的肝癌患者 72例共 82个肿瘤分别进行超声造影和螺旋CT检查 ,比较两种影像技术的结果。结果　超声造影谐频成像的连续成像和间歇成像可分别显示肝肿瘤的血管影像和血流灌注情况。超声造影显示造影增强者 5 4.9% (4 5 /82 ) ,负性增强者 45 .1% (3 7/82 ) ;螺旋CT显示不完全治愈者 5 3 .7% (4 4 /82 ) ,完全治愈者 40 .2 % (3 3 /82 ) ,其余 6.1% (5 /82 )因碘油沉积而不能明确判断。结论　与螺旋CT相比 ,超声造影揭示治疗后的肿瘤内血流信号的敏感性、特异性和准确性均较高 ;由于超声声像图较少受碘油沉积的影响以及其影像可直接引导进一步的穿刺局部治疗 ,超声造影更适宜于TAE术后肿瘤的疗效判断     

Straight Vessel Pattern and Rapid Filling Time

Six patients with 7 lesions that were histologically confirmed as primary testicular lymphoma were preoperatively investigated with a standardized sonographic protocol including contrast‐enhanced sonography. Duplex and contrast‐enhanced sonography showed marked hypervascularization in all 7 lesions. On contrast‐enhanced sonography, the filling time of lymphomatous lesions was significantly shorter than the filling time of a size‐matched sample of 10 patients with seminomas (P < .0001). The sonographic hallmarks of testicular lymphoma in our case series were as follows: (1) sharply demarcated homogeneous hypoechoic testicular lesions with marked hypervascularization; (2) a rapid (<7 seconds) filling time of contrast bubbles; and (3) a straight and parallel course of intralesional vessels on contrast‐enhanced sonography.     

Sonography of the Spleen

This pictorial essay will review and discuss the aspects of differential diagnosis with splenic sonography, including recent literature and exemplary pictorial sonographic cases. Although the spleen is well evaluated by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, sonography has certain advantages, including its ubiquitous availability, lack of ionizing radiation, and low cost. Sonography of the spleen plays an important role in emergency diagnosis of splenic rupture and hemorrhage. The additional use of contrast‐enhanced sonography can improve the diagnostic validity. Depending on the indication, sonography of the spleen is especially important for oncologic differential diagnosis of focal lesions, follow‐up examinations, and image guidance of therapeutic interventions.     

低机械指数灰阶造影对肝VX2瘤动态期相性变化的研究

目的应用低机械指数灰阶超声造影研究肝恶性肿瘤的动态期相性增强变化规律及其诊断价值。方法分别经耳缘静脉对8只荷VX2瘤新西兰大白兔团注超声造影剂SonoVue（0．1ml／kg），应用CnTI低机械指数实时造影匹配成像技术，动态观察兔VX2瘤及其周围肝实质造影增强效应。结果在所有造影过程中，肝肿瘤及肝实质内造影剂随时间呈动态增强。VX2瘤动脉期明显强化，呈“灯泡征”，与周围肝组织灰阶对比明显；随后造影剂逐渐退出，肿瘤回声强度从与周围肝实质持平，到低于周围肝实质，最后造影剂完全退出瘤组织，在肝实质增强的背景下呈极低回声。肿瘤强化呈“快进快出”型。结论VX2瘤主要为肝动脉供血，具有恶性肿瘤“快进快出”典型的超声造影增强特点；低机械指数灰阶超声造影能完全反映肝恶性肿瘤血流动力学变化；观察肿瘤的动脉期是超声造影的关键，对诊断及鉴别诊断具有重要意义。