THE POWER DOPPLER US WITH TIME/SIGNAL INTENSITY CURVES IN PROSTATIC FOCAL

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the accuracy of time/signal intensity curves in Power Doppler with contrast agent US study of prostatic focal lesions. calculating of time/signal intensity curves permits to study lesions enhancement kinetics. These curves indicate graphically the signal intensity time course of the intravenously injected contrast agent who's dynamic behaviour changes significantly according to its benign or malignant nature.

Methods and Materials: Twenty patients with Specific Prostatic Antigen high values underwent to power Doppler US exam with time/signal intensity curves. It's used an ultrasound scan with ultrasonographic

trans rectal biplane probe. Contrast agent US administered by intravenous bolus with speed of the 2ml/s. time/signal intensity curves are obtained with acquisition time of 2, 5 minute. At the end of examination a biopsy is performed.

Results: In 12 patients the lesions curves showed malignant outlines due to either the slow or the fast but irregular contrast release, characteristic of malignant vascularization. In 8 patients the lesions curves showed benign outlines due to the slow, gradual but regular contrast release.

Conclusions: Power Doppler with Time/signal intensity curves seems to confirm an important role in defining the nature of prostatic focal lesions confirmed by the biopsy