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Transit‐time study of an ultrasound contrast agent in benign and malignant adnexal tumors
Author(s) -
Ordén M.R.,
Jurvelin J. S.,
Kirkinen P. P.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2001.abs26-7.x
Subject(s) - medicine , power doppler , ultrasound , malignancy , contrast (vision) , radiology , ultrasonography , bolus (digestion) , adnexal diseases , nuclear medicine , pathology , laparoscopy , surgery , artificial intelligence , computer science
Purpose: To evaluate objectively the effects of a microbubble contrast agent on the power Doppler ultrasonographic examination of adnexal tumors specially focusing in timing of the transit of the microbubble bolus. Methods: Seventy patients with suspected ovarian tumors were examined pre‐operatively using contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography. A 5 min examination was stored digitally and the behavior of the contrast agent was evaluated objectively by measuring the time‐dependent image intensity at the region of interest with a computer program. A time–intensity curve of each case was derived and analyzed. Results: Both the baseline and maximum power Doppler intensities as well as the absolute and relative (%) rise in intensity were significantly higher ( P < 0.001) in malignant as compared to benign tumors. The arrival time was shorter (17.5 s vs. 22.5 s; P = 0.005) and the wash‐out time longer (219 s vs. 128 s; P = 0.000) in malignant than in benign tumors. A wash‐out time >170 s showed a 91% sensitivity and 75% specificity for the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy, and the accuracy was 78%. Conclusions: After microbubble contrast agent injection, malignant and benign adnexal lesions behave differently in degree, onset, and duration of Doppler ultrasound enhancement.