[The use of doppler echography with contrast in gynecology]

The first studies on the clinical use of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) with contrast specific imaging techniques were published at the beginning of this century. A couple of years later sulphur hexafluoride (SonoVue, Bracco, Milan) was marketed in Europe. CEUS has a number of distinct advantages over CT and MRI. It can be performed immediately, without any preliminary laboratory testing. Neoangiogenesis is the typical process related to all malignant tumors, and attempts to investigate the abnormal vascularization of ovarian cancer have been performed using color and power Doppler. The addition of contrast media, could help to discriminate benign and malignant ovarian masses. Doppler enhancement in the ovarian arteries were significantly different, with faster onset, higher intensity, and longer duration in malignant tumors. The use of contrast media has been extensively applied to the diagnosis of adenomyosis, endometrial cancer cervical cancer and preoperative evaluation of the presence and the depth of invasion.