Contrast-enhanced sonography to differentiate hypoechoic head-neck lesions

Introduction/problem The head- neck- region represents a focused region of the dysontogenetic, inflammatory and neoplastic spectrum of diseases. The sonography is widely applied due to its high spatial resolution. In particular hypoechoic lesions, without specific macrovasculation in the CCDS complicate the classification of their definite entity and thereby a goal- directed proceeding. The importance of contrast-enhanced sonography to evaluate the perfusion in differentiation of hypoechonic lesions is still unclear.

Patients and methods 36 patients with head-neck lesions were encased, which could not be differentiated with HR-sonography (9Mhz, linear, THI, Siemens S2000) and CCDS. Patient-related data (age, gender, drugs) and results of the examination were recorded retrospectively. To differentiate further lesions 2,5ml SonoVue were applied fractionately and the perfusion performance was recorded qualitatively and quantitatively (Bracco VueBox).

Results This study included five exentric parotid tumours, eight venous malformations, five thyroglossal cysts and ten branchial cysts, one papillary carcinoma of the thyroid ex thyroglossal cysts, five cystic regressive metastases and two lymphozele. Sensitivity and specifity of the HR-sonography and CCDS was measured with 53% or 97% and improved with the use of contrast- enhanced sonography to 92% or 99%.

Conclusion The contrast-enhanced ultrasound represents a valid complement to the HR- sonography and CCDS particullary in hypoechoic lesions.

Poster-PDF A-1732.PDF

Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020