Characterization of nontraumatic focal splenic lesions using contrast-enhanced sonography

✍ Scribed by Roberto Chiavaroli; Pierfrancesco Grima; Paolo Tundo

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 437 KB
• Volume: 39
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0091-2751
• DOI: 10.1002/jcu.20831

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Purpose.

To compare contrast‐enhanced sonography (CEUS) with contrast‐enhanced CT in the assessment of nontraumatic focal lesions of the spleen.

Methods.

CEUS and CT findings in 22 patients with fever of unknown origin and ultrasound‐detected splenic focal lesions were analyzed retrospectively. CEUS was performed using an ultrasound unit equipped with a 3.6‐MHz probe and contrast‐specific software. A 4‐ml bolus of second‐generation contrast medium was used. The CEUS examinations included a 4‐minute recording following injection of the contrast medium. MRI, splenic biopsy, or ultrasound follow‐up were used if findings from CT were inconclusive.

Results.

The final diagnoses were as follows: seven splenic infarcts, five hemangiomas, three lacerations, two benign cysts, one lymphoma, one granuloma, one abscess, and two lesions of unknown etiology. CEUS and CT had the same specificity (77.2%). Both CEUS and CT failed to characterize nodular hypovascular lesions with a hypoenhancing pattern.

Conclusions.

CEUS is as effective as CT for characterizing nontraumatic focal lesions of the spleen. If CEUS findings are consistent with a benign splenic lesion, CT seems to be of limited additional value. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011;