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[Vascularization of fibroadenomas: contrast harmonic imaging compared with contrast-enhanced power doppler]
S Huber1, M Stiskal, R Steinbach
1Zentral-Röntgeninstitut, KH Lainz, Wien. s.pankl@1012surfnet.at
Purpose:
To compare contrast material-enhanced harmonic power Doppler ultrasonography (CHI) with conventional contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasound (CPD) in depicting the vascularity of fibroadenomas.
Materials And Methods:
Forty patients with fibroadenomas (aged 19-61 years) underwent conventional contrast-enhanced and harmonic power Doppler US. According to a standardized examination protocol, serial dynamic scans were obtained before and at 30, 90 and 150 seconds after injection of contrast agent. Video-taped scans were independently reviewed by three blinded readers with regard to parameter artifacts, degree of Doppler signal enhancement, demarcation of vessels and extent of vessel visualization.
Results:
The number of intratumoral power Doppler signals depicted was similar with both techniques at 30-90 seconds after contrast administration; however, after 90 seconds, CPD depicted significantly more intratumoral signals than did CHI (p < 0.0001). CHI was superior to CPD with regard to "blooming" or motion-related artifacts (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
CHI balances the increased susceptibility of CPD to interference from clutter artifacts and thus allows the depiction of vessels that may have been obscured on CPD at similar system settings.