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Contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography of uveal melanomas
A J Lemke1, N Hosten, M Richter
1Universitätsklinikum Charité, Medizinische Fakultät der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Strahlenklinik und Poliklinik, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Purpose:
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the use of the galactose microbubble-based contrast agent Levovist in color Doppler sonography of uveal melanomas. We also evaluated the use of the resistance index and pulsatility index in differentiating tumor-associated vessels from normal vessels in patients with uveal melanomas.
Methods:
In this prospective study, 40 patients with uveal melanoma were examined with color Doppler sonography before and after the administration of the contrast agent Levovist. The Doppler signals were recorded from both the tumor and the orbit and were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively.
Results:
Tumor-associated vessels were detected without contrast enhancement in 36 of 40 patients and with contrast enhancement in 38 of 40 patients. The spectral characteristics of the Doppler signals did not change after the injection of Levovist. There were no differences-qualitative or quantitative-in Doppler signals between normal and tumor-associated vessels.
Conclusions:
The injection of Levovist slightly improved the detection of small vessels in uveal melanomas and the orbit but did not help to differentiate between normal vessels and tumoral vessels. The differentiation of a solid tumor from subretinal hemorrhage or effusion was improved.