Christian Robert Krestan MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Andreas Michael Herneth MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bruno Niederle MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Herwig Imhof MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christian Czerny MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the value of pulse inversion harmonic imaging after i.v. administration of a second generation ultrasound contrast agent (®Sonovue) in the differentiation of scintigraphically cold thyroid nodules.

37 patients referred for preoperative ultrasound scanning had pulse inversion harmonic imaging with a 4-7 MHz „small parts“-probe (HDI 5000, Philips Medical Systems) after i.v. bolus administration of 2.4 ml ®Sonovue. The enhancement curve of the thyroid nodule was recorded for up to 3 minutes. The wash-in and wash-out curves were calculated with a dedicated software (®Q-LAB, Philips Medical Systems). The relative enhancement between benign and malignant nodules was compared with a T-test.

22 patients had benign lesions, 15 had malignant lesions. There was a significant difference (p<.05) between the relative enhancement curve of benign and malignant lesions for the whole wash-out period recorded. The area under the curve of the ROC-Analysis was .752.

Pulse inversion harmonic imaging after i.v. administration of ultrasound contrast agent (®Sonovue) allows discrimination of benign and malignant thyroid nodules after objective quantification of wash-in wash-out curves and might serve as an diagnostic adjunct for the preoperative work-up.

Krestan, C, Herneth, A, Niederle, B, Imhof, H, Czerny, C, Pulse-Inversion Harmonic Contrast Imaging after IV Administration of Sonovue® for Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4404900.html