Ces radiol. 2009, 63(1):48-55

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy - first experiencesOriginal article

Radka Jakubcová¹, Jakub Foukal¹, Eva Budinská², Lenka Šmardová³

¹ Radiologická klinika LF MU a FN, Brno

² Institut biostatistiky a analýz MU, Brno

³ Interní hematoonkologická klinika FN, Brno

Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the benefit of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in distinction between benign and malignant lymphadenopathy in patients with cervical, axillary and inguinal lymphadenopathy.

Method: From January to September 2008 total number of 48 patients (14 women, 34 men) between the ages of 22-86 years with suspicion of peripheral lymphadenopathy underwent ultrasound examination. All patients were examined with Philips iU22 ultrasound machine, using 17 MHz probe for native exam and 9 MHz probe with intravenous bolus of 1,5 ml sulphur hexafluoride contrast agent. After lymph nodes' exstirpation ultrasound and histological findings were corelated.

Results: According to results of ROC analysis contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has high total accuracy (88,9%). Sensitivity in comparison with native ultrasound examination increased from 67,7 to 100% and specificity increased from 66,7 to 77,8%. In case of malignant lymphadenopathy we could distinguish primary tumour affection of lymph node, i.e. lymphoproliferative disease, and secondary tumour affection of lymph node, i.e. metastasis.

Conclusion: Ultrasonography has important role in evaluation of peripheral lymph nodes. Our results imply that using contrast agents increases accuracy in comparison with native examination (evaluation of vascular pattern and LT ratio of lymph node). It is yet necessary to verify our results on larger group of patients.

Keywords: sulphur hexafluoride, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, lymphadenopathy

Accepted: December 15, 2008; Published: March 1, 2009  Show citation