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Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to detect liver metastases

A prospective trial to compare transcutaneous unenhanced and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in patients undergoing laparotomy

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  • Published:
International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background/aims

The advent of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has called into question the efficacy of standard ultrasonographic techniques. In this study, we evaluated B-mode and color-duplex imaging and CEUS in the detection of liver metastases, using intraoperative and histological findings as a reference.

Materials and methods

Before laparotomy, 108 patients suspected of having liver metastases were prospectively examined with B-mode and color-duplex imaging, followed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (2.4 ml SonoVue). Patients with unresectable tumors (n=8) were excluded from the analysis. The sonographic diagnosis in the remaining 100 patients was compared to the intraoperative and histological findings.

Results/findings

CEUS improved the sensitivity for detecting liver lesions from 56.3% (B-mode) to 83.8% (CEUS) (p=0.004). In particular, the contrast agent led to an improvement in ultrasonographic detection in the following cases: nodular metastases smaller than one centimeter; after adjuvant chemotherapy; for tumors near the surface of the liver; and for lesions situated around the ligamentum teres.

Interpretation/conclusions

CEUS provides significant improvement in the detection of liver metastases, and should therefore, be performed routinely in the surveillance of cancer patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, University of Technology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    R. Konopke, S. Kersting, H. Bergert, J. Gastmeier, H. D. Saeger & A. Bunk

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    A. Bloomenthal

Authors
  1. R. Konopke
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  2. S. Kersting
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  3. H. Bergert
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  4. A. Bloomenthal
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  5. J. Gastmeier
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  6. H. D. Saeger
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  7. A. Bunk
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Konopke.

Additional information

Dr. Konopke and Dr. Kersting contributed equally to this work.

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Konopke, R., Kersting, S., Bergert, H. et al. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to detect liver metastases. Int J Colorectal Dis 22, 201–207 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-006-0134-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-006-0134-5

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