RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination of pulmonary lesions
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P264
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Rossen Petkov
A1 Yordanka Yamakova
A1 Emilia Petkova
A1 Danail Petrov
A1 Georgi Yamkov
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P264.abstract
AB The aim of this study is to assess the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL).Materials and methods: We examine 30 patients using a 2nd generation transpulmonary contrast Sonovue and US system Philips XE-11 equipped with low acoustic power mode software.Results: By 15 patients (8 with pneumonia and 7 with atelectasis), the baseline US examination presents PPL with preserved bronchial and vascular structure. CEUS establishes a short time to enhancement (TE) < 6 sec ('x +/- SD = 4.1 ± 1.1 sec.) and hyperechogenic tissue enhancement during the parenchymal phase, due to preserved pulmonary artery (PA) blood supply. By 6 patients (PTE n=2; abscess in the infiltrated lung tissue n=2; pneumosclerosis n=1; metastasis n=1), CEUS does not show contrast enhancement. Peripheral lung cancer (n=8pts) as well as some types of pulmonary metastasis are characterized by delayed TE>7sec. ('x +/- SD = 15.1 +/- 5.7 sec.) and sparse tissue enhancement, suggesting bronchial arterial (BA) supply.Conclusion: CEUS is a safe and effective method for differentiating PA from BA blood lesions supply. It could be a useful method for diagnosis of pneumonia/atelectasis and is particularly valuable to differentiate them from PTE. CEUS improves the US control of transthoracic needle biopsies especially in lesions among atelectasis or inflammatory infiltrate. It is reasonable to carry out further research to clarify the role of CEUS among the diagnostic procedures in patients with PPL.