Janine Rennert MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Martina Georgieva, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christian Roland Stroszczynski MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ernst Michael Jung MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate, whether image fusion of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with CT or MRI affects the diagnosis and characterization of liver lesions or the therapeutic strategy of surgical or interventional procedures.

In a retrospective study, the image fusion scans of CEUS with contrast enhanced CT or MRI of 100 patients [72 male, mean age 59 years, 0.3-85 years] with benign or malignant liver lesions were evaluated. Fundamental B-scan, color Doppler imaging and CEUS were performed in all patients by an experienced examiner using a multifrequency convex transducer (1-5 MHz, LOGIQ 9/GE) and volume navigation (Vnav). After a bolus injections of 2.4 ml SonoVue® [BRACCO,Italy] digital raw data was stored as cine-loops up to 5 min.

Using the technique of image fusion of CEUS with ceCT led in 51 out of 74 patients to a change of the strategy of surgical or interventional procedures. This was also found in 22 out of 26 patients that were examined with image fusion of ceMRI and CEUS. The correlations were found to be statistically significant for both methods (p <0.05, Fisher’s exact test). The ultimate causes were either the detection of additional lesions compared to the initial diagnostic method (17 patients) or diagnostic confirmation or definite diagnosis of the hepatic lesions (56 patients).

Image fusion with volume navigation (VNav) of CEUS with ceCT or ceMRI allows a definite localization and diagnosis of hepatic lesions in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma or metastatic diseases. This might cause a change of the therapeutic strategy in many patients with hepatic lesions.

Exact knowledge of the number, size, and regional distribution of liver lesions is essential to determine their resectability, thus leading to a better outcome of the patients.

Rennert, J, Georgieva, M, Stroszczynski, C, Jung, E, Image Fusion of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) with Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Using Volume Navigation (Vnav) for Detection: Characterization and Planning of Therapeutic Interventions of Liver Tumors.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11004366.html