Gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer in children

BACKGROUND The detection rate of peptic ulcer in children is improving,with development of diagnostic procedures.Gastroscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of peptic ulcer,but it is an invasive procedure.Gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS)has the advantages of being painless,noninvasive,nonradioactive,easy to use,and safe.AIM To investigate the clinical value of CEUS for diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer in children.METHODS We investigated 43 children with digestive tract symptoms in our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022.All children were examined by routine ultrasound,gastrointestinal CEUS,and gastroscopy.The pathological results of gastroscopy were taken as the gold standard.Routine ultrasonography was performed before gastrointestinal CEUS.Conventional ultrasound showed the thickness of the gastroduodenal wall,gastric peristalsis,and the adjacent organs and tissues around the abdominal cavity.Gastrointestinal CEUS recorded the thickness of the gastroduodenal wall;the size,location and shape of the ulcer;gastric peristalsis;and adjacent organs and tissues around the abdominal cavity.The results of routine ultrasound and gastrointestinal ultrasound were compared with those of gastroscopy to evaluate the diagnostic results and coincidence rate of routine ultrasound and gastrointestinal CEUS.All children received informed consent from their guardians for CEUS.This study was reviewed and approved by the hospital medical ethics committee.RESULTS Among the 43 children,17(15 male,2 female)were diagnosed with peptic ulcer by gastroscopy.There were 26 children with nonpeptic ulcer.There were eight cases of peptic ulcer and 35 of nonpeptic ulcer diagnosed by conventional ultrasound.The diagnostic coincidence rate of peptic ulcer in children diagnosed by conventional ultrasound was 79.1%(34/43),which was significantly different from that of gastroscopy(P=0.033).It indicates that the coincidence rate of gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and gastroscope is low.Fifteen cases of peptic ulcer and 28 of nonpeptic ulcer were diagnosed by CEUS.The diagnostic coincidence rate of peptic ulcer in children was 95.3%(41/43).There was no significant difference between CEUS and gastroscopy(P=0.655).It indicates that the coincidence rate of gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and gastroscope is high.CONCLUSION Gastrointestinal CEUS has a high coincidence rate in the diagnosis of peptic ulcer in children,and can be used as a preliminary examination method.

Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging Contrast Agents for Clinical Research: Limitations and Alternatives

Introduction: Near-infrared fluorescence imaging is a technique that will establish itself in the short term at the international level because it is recognized for its potential to improve the performance of surgical interventions, its moderate investment and operating costs and its portability. Although the technology is now mature, there is currently the problem of the availability of contrast agents to be injected IV. The aim of this methodology article is to propose an alternative solution to the need for contrast agents for clinical research, particularly in oncology. Methodology: They consist of coupling a fluorescent marker in the form of an NHS derivative, such as IR DYE manufactured in compliance with GMP, with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies having marketing authorization for molecular imaging. For a given antibody, the marking procedure must be the subject of a validation file on the final preparation filtered on a sterilizing membrane at 0.22 μm. Once the procedure has been validated, it would be unnecessary to repeat the tests before each clinical research examination. A check of the marking by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and place it in a sample bank at +4˚C for 1 month of each injected formulation would be sufficient for additional tests if necessary. Conclusion: Molecular near-infrared fluorescence imaging is experiencing development, the process of which could be accelerated by greater availability of clinical contrast agents. Alternative solutions are therefore necessary to promote clinical research in this area. These methods must be shared to make it easier for researchers.

Application of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography in the decision-making about hepatocellular carcinoma operation

AIM:To evaluate the detection and differentiation ability of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography(CE-IOUS) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) operations.METHODS:Clinical data of 50 HCC patients were retrospective analyzed.The sensitivity,specificity,false negative and false positive rates of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(CE-MRI),IOUS and CEIOUS were calculated and compared.Surgical strategy changes due to CE-IOUS were analyzed.RESULTS:Lesions detected by CE-MRI,IOUS and CEIOUS were 60,97 and 85 respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,false negative rate,false positive rate of CEMRI were 98.2%,98.6%,98.6%,60.0%,respectively;for IOUS were 50.0%,90.9%,1.8%,1.4%,respectively;and for CE-IOUS were 1.4%,40.0%,50.0%,9.1%,respectively.The operation strategy of 9(9/50,18.0%) cases was changed according to the results of CE-IOUS.CONCLUSION:Compared with CE-MRI,CE-IOUS performs better in detection and differentiation of small metastasis and regenerative nodules.It plays an important role in the decision-making of HCC operation.

Breast non-mass-like lesions on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: Feature analysis, breast image reporting and data system classification assessment

BACKGROUND Breast non-mass-like lesions(NMLs)account for 9.2%of all breast lesions.The specificity of the ultrasound diagnosis of NMLs is low,and it cannot be objectively classified according to the 5th Edition of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System(BI-RADS).Contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)can help to differentiate and classify breast lesions but there are few studies on NMLs alone.AIM To analyze the features of benign and malignant breast NMLs in grayscale ultrasonography(US),color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI)and CEUS,and to explore the efficacy of the combined diagnosis of NMLs and the effect of CEUS on the BI-RADS classification of NMLs.METHODS A total of 51 breast NMLs verified by pathology were analyzed in our hospital from January 2017 to April 2019.All lesions were examined by US,CDFI and CEUS,and their features from those examinations were analyzed.With pathology as the gold standard,binary logic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for malignant breast NMLs,and a regression equation was established to calculate the efficiency of combined diagnosis.Based on the regression equation,the combined diagnostic efficiency of US combined with CEUS(US+CEUS)was determined.The initial BI-RADS-US classification of NMLs was adjusted according to the independent risk factors identified by CEUS,and the diagnostic efficiency of CEUS combined with BI-RADS(CEUS+BI-RADS)was calculated based on the results.ROC curves were drawn to compare the diagnostic values of the three methods,including US,US+CEUS,and CEUS+BI-RADS,for benign and malignant NMLs.RESULTS Microcalcification,enhancement time,enhancement intensity,lesion scope,and peripheral blood vessels were significantly different between benign and malignant NMLs.Among these features,microcalcification,higher enhancement,and lesion scope were identified as independent risk factors for malignant breast NMLs.When US,US+CEUS,and CEUS+BI-RADS were used to identify the benign and malignant breast NMLs,their sensitivity rates were 82.6%,91.3%,and 87.0%,respectively;their specificity rates were 71.4%,89.2%,and 92.9%,respectively;their positive predictive values were 70.4%,87.5%,and 90.9%,respectively;their negative predictive values were 83.3%,92.6%,and 89.7%,respectively;their accuracy rates were 76.5%,90.2%,and 90.2%,respectively;and their corresponding areas under ROC curves were 0.752,0.877 and 0.903,respectively.Z tests showed that the area under the ROC curve of US was statistically smaller than that of US+CEUS and CEUS+BI-RADS,and there was no statistical difference between US+CEUS and CEUS+BI-RADS.CONCLUSION US combined with CEUS can improve diagnostic efficiency for NMLs.The adjustment of the BI-RADS classification according to the features of contrastenhanced US of NMLs enables the diagnostic results to be simple and intuitive,facilitates the management of NMLs,and effectively reduces the incidence of unnecessary biopsy.

Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography

Contrast agents are increasingly being used to characterize the vasculature in an organ of interest,to better delineate benign from malignant pathology and to aid in staging and directing therapeutic procedures.We review the mechanisms of action of first,second and third generation contrast agents and their use in various endoscopic procedures in the gastrointestinal tract.Various applications of contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography include differentiating benign from malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy,assessment of depth of invasion of esophageal,gastric and gall bladder cancers and visualization of the portal venous system and esophageal varices.In addition,contrast agents can be used to differentiate pancreatic lesions.The use of color Doppler further increases the ability to diagnose and differentiate various pancreatic malignancies.The sensitivity of power Doppler sonography to depict tumor neovascularization can be increased by contrast agents.Contrast-enhanced harmonic imaging is a useful aid in identifying the tumor vasculature and studying pancreatic microperfusion.In the future,these techniques could potentially be used to quantify tumor perfusion,to assess and monitor the efficacy of antiangiogenic agents,to assist targeted drug delivery and allow molecular imaging.

Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography for assessment of lymph node metastases in pancreatobiliary carcinoma

AIM: To assess the usefulness of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS) for lymph node metastasis in pancreatobiliary carcinoma.METHODS: All patients suspected of pancreatobiliary carcinoma with visible lymph nodes after standard EUS between June, 2009 and January, 2012 were enrolled. In the primary analysis, patients with successful EUS-fine needle aspiration (FNA) were included. The lymph nodes were assessed by several standard EUS variables (short and long axis lengths, shape, edge characteristic and echogenicity), color Doppler EUS variable [central intranodal blood vessel (CIV) presence] and CH-EUS variable (heterogeneous/homogeneous enhancement patterns). The diagnostic accuracy relative to EUS-FNA was calculated. In the second analysis, N-stage diagnostic accuracy of CH-EUS was compared with EUS-FNA in patients who underwent surgical resection.RESULTS: One hundred and nine patients (143 lymph nodes) fulfilled the criteria. The short axis cut-off ≥ 13 mm predicted malignancy with a sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 85%, respectively. These values were 72% and 63% for the long axis cut-off ≥ 20 mm, 62% and 75% for the round shape variable, 81% and 30% for the sharp edge variable, 66% and 61% for the hypoechogenicity variable, 70% and 72% for the CIV-absent variable, and 83% and 91% for the heterogeneous CH-EUS-enhancement variable, respectively. CH-EUS was more accurate than standard and color Doppler EUS, except the short axis cut-off. Notably, three patients excluded because of EUS-FNA failure were correctly N-staged by CH-EUS.CONCLUSION: CH-EUS complements standard and color Doppler EUS and EUS-FNA for assessment of lymph node metastases.

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases and efficacy evaluation

Objective： To retrospectively investigate the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography （CEUS） in percutaneous radiofrequency ablation （RFA） in patients with liver metastases and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of RFA assisted by CEUS. Methods： From May 2004 to September 2010, 136 patients with 219 liver metastatic lesions received CEUS examination 1 h before RFA （CEUS group）, and other 126 patients with 216 lesions without CEUS examination in the earlier period were served as a historical control group. The mean tumor size was 3.2 cm and the mean tumor number was 1.6 in the CEUS group, while 3.4 cm and 1.7 in the control group, respectively （P〉0.05）. The clinical characteristics, recurrence results and survival outcomes were compared between two groups. Results： In the CEUS group, two isoechoic tumors were not demonstrated on unenhanced ultrasonography （US）, and 63 （47%） of 134 tumors examined with CEUS were 0.3 cm larger than with unenhanced US. Furthermore, in 18.4% of 136 patients, additional 1-3 tumors were detected on CEUS. The CEUS group showed higher early tumor necrosis and lower intrahepatic recurrence than the control group. The 3-year overall survival （OS） rate and the 3-year local recurrence-free survival （LRFS） rate in the CEUS group were 50.1% and 38.3%, in contrast to 25.3% and 19.3% in the control group, respectively （P=0.002 and P〈0.001）. Conclusions： CEUS provides important information for RFA treatment in patients with liver metastases and better therapeutic effect could be attained.

Double contrast-enhanced two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography for evaluation of gastric lesions

AIM： To investigate the value of two-dimensional （2D） and three-dimensional （3D） double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography （DCUS） imaging for evaluation of gas- tric lesions. METHODS： 2D and 3D DCUS imaging with both oral and intravenous administrations of contrast agents was used to assess gastroscopiclly-confirmed gastric lesions in 46 patients with benign and malignant diseases. Initially, liquid-based ultrasound contrast agent （Xinzhang） was given orally at dose of 500-600 mL for conventional ultrasound examination of the gastric lesions, and then a microbubble-based contrast agent （SonoVue） was injected intravenously at dose of 1.2-2.4 mL in bolus fashion to assess the perfusion pattern of the lesions using contrast imaging modes. The parameters derived from time-intensity curves including the arrival time （AT）, time to peak （lq-P）, peak intensity （PI） and en- hanced intensity （EI） were measured on the 2D DCUS imaging. 3D DCUS of the lesions was acquired to dem- onstrate the value of this imaging mode. RESULTS： There were 22 cases with benign lesions including chronic gastritis （n= 5）, gastric ulcer （n = 9）, gastric polyps （n = 3）, gastric stromal tumors （n = 5）, and 24 cases with malignant lesions including gastric cancer （n = 20）, gastric cardia carcinoma （n = 3） and post-operative recurrent gastric cancer （n = 1） in the study, The oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography （CEUS） imaging of the stomach clearly demonstrated the anatomy of the stomach and morphologic features of gastric lesions, With optimal scanning window and imaging display under oral CEUS, intravenous CEUS clearly showed the perfusion of gastric lesions with various characteristic manifestations. Both 2D and 3D DCUS images clearly demonstrated normal gastric wall as a three-layer structure, from the inside out, hypere- choic mucosa, hypoechoic muscularis and hyperechoic serosa, respectively. There were statistical significant differences of AT （8.68±2.06 vs 10.43 ±2.75, P = 0.017）, PI （34.64 ± 6.63 vs 29.58 ± 8.22, P = 0.023） and EI （29.72 ± 6.69 vs 22.66 ± 7.01, P = 0.001） between malignant lesions and normal gastric wall. However, no differences of AT, PI and EI between benign lesions and normal gastric wall tissue were found. 3D DCUS could intuitively display morphological features and vascularities of the lesions with multiplanar and volume views. 3D DCUS imaging provided comprehen- sive information complementary to 2D imaging. The crater or wellhead appearances and feeding vessels as well as distorted nourishing vasculature of gastric carcinoma were better seen with 3D imaging than 2D imaging. CONCLUSION： DCUS imaging can simultaneouslydisplay the anatomic and perfusion features of gastric lesions. 3D DCUS can provide additional information to 2D DCUS for evaluation of gastric lesions.

Renal blood perfusion in GK rats using targeted contrast enhanced ultrasonography

Objective: To explore application of targeted contrast enhanced ultrasonography in diagnosis of early stage vascular endothelial injury and diabetic nephropathy. Methods: Targeted Sono VueTM microbubble was prepared by attaching anti-TM monoclonal antibody to the surface of ordinary micro-bubble Sono Vue by biotin-avidin bridge method and ultrasonic instrument was used to evaluate the developing situation of targeted microbubble in vitro. Twenty 12-week-old male GK rats and 20 Wistar rats were enrolled in this study, and were randomly divided into targeted angiography group and ordinary angiography group. Targeted microbubbles Sono VueTM or general microbubble Sono Vue were rapidly injected to the rats via tail vein; the developing situation of the two contrast agents in rats kidneys was dynamically observed. Time intensity curve was used to analyse rat kidney perfusion characteristics in different groups. Results: Targeted ultrasound microbubble Sono Vue-TM was successfully constructed, and it could be used to develop an external image. Targeted microbubbles Sono Vue-TM enabled clear development of experimental rat kidney. Time intensity curve shapes of rat kidney of the two groups showed as single apex with steep ascending and slowly descending branch. Compared with the control group, the rising slope of the GK rat renal cortex, medulla in targeted angiography group increased(P<0.05); the peak intensity of medulla increased(P<0.05), and the total area under the curve of medulla increased(P<0.05). Compared with control group, the ascending branch of the GK rat in renal cortex, medulla in ordinary angiography group increased(P<0.05). The peak intensity of the curve increased(P<0.05), and the total area under the curve increased(P<0.05). Compared with the ordinary angiography group, the peak of GK rat medullacurve in targeted angiography group intensity increased(P<0.05), and the total area under the curve increased(P<0.05). Conclusions: Targeted microbubbles Sono VueTM can make a clear development of experimental rat kidney, its stable performance meet the requirement of ultrasonic observation time limit, and it can reflect early changes of blood perfusion in GK rat kindey.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the evaluation of liver fibrosis after biliary obstruction

AIM:To investigate perfusion change in contrastenhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) to evaluate liver fibrosis based on biliary obstruction using an animal model.METHODS:New Zealand white rabbits(3-4 kg) underwent bile duct ligation to form a biliary obstruction model.We performed liver CEUS and laboratory tests on the day before the operation(day 0) and every 7 postoperative days until the rabbits were sacrificed.After CEUS,signal intensity of liver parenchyma with a time-intensity curve was analyzed.Perfusion parameters were automatically calculated from regionof-interests,including peak signal intensity,mean transit time,area under the curve and time to peak.Histological grades of liver fibrosis were assessed according to the Metavir score system immediately after sacrifice.Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the association between liver fibrosis grades and perfusion parameters for statistical analysis.The perfusion parameters were measured on the last day and the difference between day 0 and the last day were evaluated.RESULTS:From the nine rabbits,histological grades of liver fibrosis were grade 1 in one rabbit,grade 2 and 3 in three rabbits each,and grade 4 in two rabbits.Among the four CEUS parameters,only the peak signal intensity measured on the last day demonstrated a significant association with liver fibrosis grades(OR =1.392,95%CI:1.114-1.741,P =0.004).The difference in peak signal intensity between day 0 and the last dayalso demonstrated an association with liver fibrosis(OR =1.191,95%CI:0.999-1.419,P =0.051).The other parameters tested,including mean transit time,area under the curve,and time to peak,showed no significant correlation with liver fibrosis grades.CONCLUSION:This animal study demonstrates that CEUS can be used to evaluate liver fibrosis from biliary obstruction using peak signal intensity as a parameter.

Evaluation of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability with Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography

This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between carotid atherosclerotic plaque stability and the clinical symptoms in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques by using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Fifty patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were enrolled and examined with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. The correlation of contrast agent enhancement of the carotid atherosclerotic plaques and the clinical symptoms was analyzed. The results showed that among the 50 patients, plaques were enhanced in the 23 patients with obvious clinical symptoms. In 27 patients without apparent clinical symptoms, plaques were enhanced sparsely in 15 patients and not enhanced in 12 patients. It was suggested that contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could be used for the examination of the microcirculation in carotid atherosclerotic plaques on real-time basis and serve as a new noninvasive approach for the assessment of stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Arterial-phase contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for evaluating anti-angiogenesis treatment: A pilot study

AIM:To verify whether arterial-phase contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) of tumor parenchymal tissue is useful for evaluation of anti-angiogenesis agents.METHODS:Rabbits with liver tumor were subjected to CEUS,and images of the nodular maximal diameter in vascular phase were recorded.Image analysis was performed to plot the time intensity curve(TIC) at the tumor parenchyma,which set the diameter of the region of interest of intensity measurement.The TIC was calculated to obtain the time to peak intensity(TPI) and the magnitude of PI.Rabbits were randomly assigned to a treatment group with sorafenib and a control group.Two weeks later,the same ultrasound examination was repeated followed by pathological testing to assess the effect of sorafenib on the liver tumor.RESULTS:In four rabbits in the treatment group,the rate of change of tumor size was decreased comparedwith that of the control(the rate 2.3 vs 7.9,P = 0.02).The TPI of the treatment group elongated significantly(the rate 3.1 vs 1.1,P = 0.07 for SonoVue,2.0 vs 0.88,P = 0.09 for Sonazoid).The magnitude of PI showed no significant changes.In pathological examination,capillary diameters in the treatment group were significantly smaller than those in the control group(26.4 vs 42.8 μm,P = 0.013).CONCLUSION:Analysis of the TIC in the arterial phase of tumor tissue could evaluate the efficacy of antiangiogenesis drug treatment in liver tumor.

Application of Low Tube Voltage, Low-concentration Contrast Agent Using a 320-row CT in Coronary CT Angiography: Evaluation of Image Quality, Radiation Dose and Iodine Intake

The effect of low voltage and low concentration contrast agent on image quality of coronary CT angiography,radiation dose and iodine intake was evaluated.A total of 121 patients with body mass index(BMI)<26 kg/m2 and heart rate(HR)<70 beats/min were randomly divided into four groups:group A(n=31,80 kVp,270 mgl/mL);group B(n=33,100 kVp,270 mgl/mL);group C(h=30,100 kVp,320 mgl/mL);group D(w=27,100 kVp,400 mgl/mL).The automatic current modulation system and the iterative algorithm for reconstruction were adopted in each group.The CT values and SD values of the aortic root(AR),subcutaneous fat,left coronary artery opening(LCA),and right coronary artery opening(RCA)were measured in all groups,the signalto-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast noise ratio(CNR)were calculated,and effective radiation dose and iodine intake were recorded.The subjective assessment for image quality was performed by two physicians using a 4-point scale.The results were compared using the one-way ANOVA and rank sum tests.The image quality of the four groups met the clinical diagnostic requirements.The CT values of AR in groups A,B,C,and D were 537.6±71.4,447.2±81.9,445.2±64.9 and 518.5±94.9 Hu,respectively,with no significant difference between group A and group D,or between group B and group C,while CT values in groups B and C were significantly lower than those in groups A and D(P<0.05).In groups A,B,C,and D,the LCA SNR values were 22.7±9.1,23.3±9.1,23.3±7.7 and 26.6±8.9,and the RCA CNR values were 26.9±9.&28.5±11.4,27.7土&8 and 32」±10.6,respectively.The AR visual scores in groups A,B,C and D were 3.8±0.2,3.9±0.3,3.9±0.3 and 4.0±0.3,respectively.There were no significant differences in SNR,CNR and visual score among the four groups(P>0.05).The radiation doses in groups A,B,C and D were 2.6±1.4,3.6±1.&4.9±3.5 and 4.9±2.8 mSv,respectively.The radiation dose in group A was significantly less than that in the rest three groups(P<0.05).The iodine intakes in groups A,B,C and D were 14.9±1.5,15.0±1.5,17.7±2.0 and 18.1±2.5 g,respectively.There was no significant difference in the intake of iodine between groups C and D,or between groups A and B,while iodine intake in groups A and B were significantly reduced as compared with that in groups C and D(P<0.05).It was concluded that for patients with low BMI and controlled HR,compared to 100 kVp tube voltage combined with multiple concentration contrast agents,80 kVp combined with 270 mgl/mL contrast agent is enough to ensure the quality of the images,and can reduce the radiation dose significantly,while reducing the amount of iodine intake notably,thus reducing the incidence of adverse reaction.

Self-assembled superparamagnetic nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents — A review

Recent progress of the preparation and applications of superparamagnetic iron oxide（SPIO） clusters as magnetic resonance imaging（MRI） probes is reviewed with regard to their applications in labeling and tracking cells in vivo, in diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and tumors, and in drug delivery systems. Magnetic nanoparticles（NPs）, especially SPIO nanoparticles, have long been used as MRI contrast agents and as an advantageous nanoplatform for drug delivery,taking advantage of their unique magnetic properties and ability to function at the molecular and cellular levels. Due to advances in nanotechnology, various means to control SPIO NPs＇ size, composition, magnetization and relaxivity have been developed, as well as ways to usefully modify their surface. Recently, self-assembly of SPIO NP clusters in particulate carriers — such as polymeric micelles, vesicles, liposomes, and layer-by-layer（Lb L） capsules — have been widely studied for application as ultrasensitive MRI probes, owing to their remarkably high spin–spin（T2） relaxivity and convenience for further functionalization.

Biliary cystadenocarcinoma diagnosed with real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography:Report of a case with diagnostic features

Biliary cystadenocarcinoma is a very rare malignant cystic tumor of the liver,which is often misdiagnosed due to a poor recognition of it.We report a case of a 60-year-old man with biliary cystadenocarcinoma with his real time contrast enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)characteristics compared to those of computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),which were correlated with the surgical and pathologic findings.Cystic wall enhancement,internal septations and intra-cystic solid portions in the arterial phase were observed on CEUS after contrast agent injection.The enhancement was washed out progressively and depicted as hypo-enhancement in the portal and late phases.CT revealed a large irregular cystic lesion in the left liver lobe with no clear septations and solid components.MRI showed an irregular cystic occupying lesion with septations.

Small intestine contrast ultrasonography vs computed tomography enteroclysis for assessing ileal Crohn's disease

AIM:To compare computed tomography enteroclysis(CTE) vs small intestine contrast ultrasonography(SICUS) for assessing small bowel lesions in Crohn's disease(CD),when using surgical pathology as gold standard.METHODS:From January 2007 to July 2008,15 eligible patients undergoing elective resection of the distal ileum and coecum(or right colon) were prospectively enrolled.All patients were under follow-up.The study population included 6 males and 9 females,with a median age of 44 years(range:18-80 years).Inclusion criteria:(1) certain diagnosis of small bowel requiring elective ileo-colonic resection;(2) age between 18-80 years;(3) elective surgery in our Surgical Unit;and(4) written informed consent.SICUS and CTE were performed ≤ 3 mo before surgery,followed by surgical pathology.The following small bowel lesions were blindly reported by one sonologist,radiologist,surgeon and histolopathologist:disease site,extent,strictures,abscesses,fistulae,small bowel dilation.Comparison between findings at SICUS,CTE,surgical specimens and histological examination was made by assessing the specificity,sensitivity and accuracy of each technique,when using surgical findings as gold standard.RESULTS:Among the 15 patients enrolled,CTE was not feasible in 2 patients,due to urgent surgery in one patients and to low compliance in the second patient,refusing to perform CTE due to the discomfort related to the naso-jejunal tube.The analysis for comparing CTE vs SICUS findings was therefore performed in 13 out of the 15 CD patients enrolled.Differently from CTE,SICUS was feasible in all the 15 patients enrolled.No complications were observed when using SICUS or CTE.Surgical pathology findings in the tested population included:small bowel stricture in 13 patients,small bowel dilation above ileal stricture in 10 patients,abdominal abscesses in 2 patients,enteric fistulae in 5 patients,lymphnodes enlargement(> 1 cm) in 7 patients and mesenteric enlargement in 9 patients.In order to compare findings by using SICUS,CTE,histology and surgery,characteristics of the small bowel lesions observed in CD each patient were blindly reported in the same form by one gastroenterologistsonologist,radiologist,surgeon and anatomopathologist.At surgery,lesions related to CD were detected in the distal ileum in all 13 patients,also visualized by both SICUS and CTE in all 13 patients.Ileal lesions > 10 cm length were detected at surgery in all the 13 CD patients,confirmed by SICUS and CTE in the same 12 out of the 13 patients.When using surgical findings as a gold standard,SICUS and CTE showed the exactly same sensitivity,specificity and accuracy for detecting the presence of small bowel fistulae(accuracy 77% for both) and abscesses(accuracy 85% for both).In the tested CD population,SICUS and CTE were also quite comparable in terms of accuracy for detecting the presence of small bowel strictures(92% vs 100%),small bowel fistulae(77% for both) and small bowel dilation(85% vs 82%).CONCLUSION:In our study population,CTE and the non-invasive and radiation-free SICUS showed a comparable high accuracy for assessing small bowel lesions in CD.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound using SonoVue mixed with oral gastrointestinal contrast agent to evaluate esophageal hiatal hernia: Report of three cases and a literature review

BACKGROUND Due to a thicker abdominal wall in some patients,ultrasound artifacts from gastrointestinal gas and surrounding tissues can interfere with routine ultrasound examination,precluding its ability to display or clearly show the structure of a hernial sac(HS)and thereby diminishing diagnostic performance for esophageal hiatal hernia(EHH).Contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)imaging using an oral agent mixture allows for clear and intuitive identification of an EHH sac and dynamic observation of esophageal reflux.CASE SUMMARY In this case series,we report three patients with clinically-suspected EHH,including two females and one male with an average age of 67.3±16.4 years.CEUS was administered with an oral agent mixture(microbubble-based SonoVue and gastrointestinal contrast agent)and identified a direct sign of supradiaphragmatic HS(containing the hyperechoic agent)and indirect signs[e.g.,widening of esophageal hiatus,hyperechoic mixture agent continuously or intermittently reflux flowing back and forth from the stomach into the supradiaphragmatic HS,and esophagus-gastric echo ring(i.e.,the“EG”ring)seen above the diaphragm].All three cases received a definitive diagnosis of EHH by esophageal manometry and gastroscopy.Two lesions resolved upon drug treatment and one required surgery.The recurrence rate in follow-up was 0%.The data from these cases suggest that the new non-invasive examination method may greatly improve the diagnosis of EHH.CONCLUSION CEUS with the oral agent mixture can facilitate clear and intuitive identification of HS and dynamic observation of esophageal reflux.

Non-thermal ablation of rabbit liver VX2 tumor by pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound with ultrasound contrast agent:Pathological characteristics

AIM： To investigate the pathological characteristics of non-thermal damage induced by pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound （PHIFU） combined with ultrasound contrast agent （UCA）, SonoVue （Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy） in rabbit liver VX2 tumor. METHODS： Liver VX2 tumor models were established in 20 rabbits, which were divided randomly into PHIFU combined with ultrasound contrast agent group （PHIFU ＋ UCA group） and sham group. In the PHIFU ＋ UCA group, 0.2 mL of SonoVue was injected intravenously into the tumor, followed by ultrasound exposure of Isp 5900 W/cm^2. The rabbits were sacrificed one day after ultrasound exposure. Specimens of the exposed tumor tissues were obtained and observed pathologically under light microscope and transmission electron microscope. The remaining tumor tissues were sent for 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. RESULTS： Before Trc staining, tumor tissues in both the sham and the PHIFU ＋ UCA groups resembled gray fish meat, After TIC staining, the tumor tissues were uniformly stained red, with a clear boundary between tumor tissue and normal tissue, Histological examination showed signs of tumor cell injury in PHIFU ＋ UCA group, with cytoplasmic vacuoles of various sizes, chromatin margination and karyopyknosis. Electron microscopic examination revealed tumor cell volume reduction, karyopyknosis, chromatin margination, intercellular space widening, the presence of high electro＇n-density apoptotic bodies and vacuoles in cytoplasm. CONCLUSION： The non-thermal effects of PHIFU combined with UCA can be used to ablate rabbit liver VX2 tumors.

Photoacoustic molecular imaging using combined acupuncture and gold nanorods as a composite contrast agent

In this study,we developed a novel photoacoustic imaging technique based on poly(ethyleneglycol)-coated(PEGylated)gold nanorods(PEG-GNRs)(as the contrast agent)combined with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)acupuncture(as the auxiliary method)for quantitatively monitoring contrast enhancement in the vasculature of a mouse brain in vivo.This study takes advantage of the strong near-infrared absorption(peak at700 nm)of GNRs and the ability to adjust the hemodynamics of acupuncture.Experimental results show that photoacoustic tomography(PAT)successfully reveals the optical absorption variation of the vasculature of the mouse brain in response to intravenous administration of GNRs and acupuncture at the Zusanli acupoint(ST36)both individually and combined.The quantitative measurement of contrast enhancement indicates that the composite contrast agents(integration of acupuncture and GNRs)would greatly enhance the photoacoustic imaging contrast.The quantitative results also have the potential to estimate the local concentration of GNRs and even the real-time effects of acupuncture.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in peripheral lung consolidations: What's its actual role?

AIM:To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of contrastenhanced ultrasonography(CEUS)in the differential diagnosis between neoplastic and non-neoplastic peripheral pleuro-pulmonary lesions.METHODS:One hundred patients with pleural or peripheral pulmonary lesions underwent thoracic CEUS.An 8 microliters/mL solution of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles stabilized by a phospholipid shell(SonoVue)was used as US contrast agent.The clips were stored and independently reviewed by two readers,who recorded the following parameters:presence/absence of arterial enhancement,time to enhancement(TE),extent of enhancement(EE),pattern of enhancement(PE),presence/absence of wash-out,time to wash-out,and extent of wash-out.After the final diagnosis(based on histopathologic findings or follow-up of at least 15 mo)was reached,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),negative predictive value(NPV),positive likelihood ratio(PLR),negative likelihood ratio(NLR)of each CEUS parameter in the differential diagnosis between neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions were calculated.Furthermore,an arbitrary score based on the ratio between the PPVs of each CEUS parameter was calculated,to evaluate if some relationship could exist between overall CEUS behaviour and neoplastic or non-neoplastic nature of the lesions.