Li Jie, Dong Bao-wei, Yu Xiao-ling, Wang Xing-hua, Li Chuan-fu
Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, School of Medicine, Jinan 250012, China.
J Ultrasound Med. 2005 Jul;24(7):975-83. doi: 10.7863/jum.2005.24.7.975.
The purpose of this study was to delineate the hemodynamic features of VX2 tumor and perineoplastic liver parenchyma and to evaluate the potential usefulness of single-level dynamic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of tumors by the analysis of time-intensity curves.
An in vivo animal model was studied using a low mechanical index in conjunction with single-level dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. A sulfur hexafluoride contrast agent (SonoVue; Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy) was applied in 8 rabbits by intravenous bolus injection. Data were acquired before and after VX2 tumor induction. Corresponding parameters of the time-intensity curve were measured using wash-in/wash-out curve software.
No significant difference was found in the time to enhancement, time to peak intensity, peak signal intensity, and enhancement duration between liver parenchyma before and after VX2 tumor induction (P > .05). The typical enhancement pattern of VX2 tumors was hyperechoic relative to liver parenchyma during the early phase and hypoechoic during the later phase. The curves obtained in carcinomas revealed an early arrival time and time to peak intensity with an irregular and sharp decrease of the intensity signal and a very early return to baseline, presenting a much more rapid wash-in and wash-out of ultrasonographic contrast agents. There was a significant difference in the time to enhancement, time to peak intensity, peak signal intensity, and enhancement duration between the VX2 tumors and perineoplastic liver parenchyma (P < .001).
Single-level dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with a low mechanical index level could provide real-time and continuous enhanced images and fully delineate the typical enhancement pattern of liver tumors. The analysis of time-intensity curves may provide useful, complementary, and quantitative information. This technique may be useful for the diagnosis of liver tumors, especially those showing an atypical enhancement pattern on biphasic helical computed tomographic scanning.
本研究旨在描绘VX2肿瘤及瘤周肝实质的血流动力学特征，并通过分析时间-强度曲线评估单层面动态超声检查在肿瘤诊断中的潜在应用价值。
采用低机械指数联合单层面动态对比增强超声检查对体内动物模型进行研究。通过静脉团注向8只兔注射六氟化硫造影剂（声诺维；意大利米兰的Bracco SpA公司）。在VX2肿瘤诱导前后采集数据。使用进/出曲线软件测量时间-强度曲线的相应参数。
VX2肿瘤诱导前后肝实质在增强时间、峰值强度时间、峰值信号强度及增强持续时间方面未发现显著差异（P>.05）。VX2肿瘤的典型增强模式在早期相对于肝实质为高回声，后期为低回声。癌组织获得的曲线显示到达时间和峰值强度时间较早，强度信号不规则且急剧下降，并很早就回到基线，表现为超声造影剂的进和出都更快。VX2肿瘤与瘤周肝实质在增强时间、峰值强度时间、峰值信号强度及增强持续时间方面存在显著差异（P<.001）。
低机械指数水平的单层面动态对比增强超声检查可提供实时、连续的增强图像，并能充分描绘肝肿瘤的典型增强模式。时间-强度曲线分析可提供有用、互补的定量信息。该技术可能有助于肝肿瘤的诊断，尤其是那些在双期螺旋计算机断层扫描上表现为非典型增强模式的肿瘤。
