3D Harmonic and Subharmonic Imaging for Characterizing Breast Lesions: A Multi-Center Clinical Trial.

Objective: Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer among women. This multi-center study assessed the ability of 3D contrast-enhanced ultrasound to characterize suspicious breast lesions using clinical assessments and quantitative parameters.

Methods: Women with suspicious breast lesions scheduled for biopsy were enrolled in this prospective, study.

Characterizing Breast Lesions Using Quantitative Parametric 3D Subharmonic Imaging: A Multicenter Study.

Rationale And Objectives: Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer among women. Visualization and characterization of breast lesions based on vascularity kinetics was evaluated using three-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging in a clinical study.

Materials And Methods: Breast lesions (n = 219) were imaged using power Doppler imaging (PDI), 3D contrast-enhanced harmonic imaging (HI), and 3D contrast-enhanced subharmonic imaging (SHI) with a modified Logiq 9 ultrasound scanner using a 4D10L transducer.

Subharmonic-Aided Pressure Estimation for Monitoring Interstitial Fluid Pressure in Tumors: Calibration and Treatment with Paclitaxel in Breast Cancer Xenografts.

Interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) in rats with breast cancer xenografts was non-invasively estimated using subharmonic-aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) versus an invasive pressure monitor. Moreover, monitoring of IFP changes after chemotherapy was assessed. Eighty-nine rats (calibration n = 25, treatment n = 64) were injected with 5 × 10 breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231).

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound evaluation of residual blood flow to hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment with transarterial chemoembolization using drug-eluting beads: a prospective study.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy and change over time of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) imaging for assessing residual blood flow after transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma with drug-eluting beads at 2 different follow-up intervals.

Methods: Data from 16 tumors treated by transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads were successfully obtained. As part of the study, patients provided consent to undergo contrast-enhanced US examinations the morning before embolization, 1 to 2 weeks after embolization, and the morning before follow-up contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) (1 month after embolization).

Contrast-Enhanced Subharmonic and Harmonic Ultrasound of Renal Masses Undergoing Percutaneous Cryoablation.

Rationale And Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare contrast-enhanced subharmonic and harmonic ultrasound as tools for characterizing solid renal masses and monitoring their response to cryoablation therapy.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen patients undergoing percutaneous ablation of a renal mass provided informed consent to undergo ultrasound examinations the morning before and approximately 4 months after cryoablation. Ultrasound contrast parameters during pretreatment imaging were compared to biopsy results obtained during ablation (n = 13).

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided Sentinel lymph node biopsy of the ocular conjunctiva.

Objectives/hypothesis: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been utilized for cutaneous melanoma and other malignancies arising from the eye and ocular adnexa. Currently, SLNB requires blue dyes and/or radiopharmaceuticals; both of which have significant shortcomings. This study sought to evaluate the feasibility of SLNB with the use of real-time, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as an alternative technique for tumors arising in the conjunctiva.

Contrast-enhanced sonography for detection of secondary lymph nodes in a melanoma tumor animal model.

Objectives: To investigate the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging (US) for detection of secondary lymph nodes (LNs) in a naturally occurring melanoma swine model compared to surgery and pathologic assessment.

Methods: Twenty-seven Sinclair swine were studied. The perfluorobutane microbubble contrast agent Sonazoid (GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) was administered (1.

Comparison of photoacoustically derived hemoglobin and oxygenation measurements with contrast-enhanced ultrasound estimated vascularity and immunohistochemical staining in a breast cancer model.

In this preliminary study, we compared two noninvasive techniques for imaging intratumoral physiological conditions to immunohistochemical staining in a murine breast cancer model. MDA-MB-231 tumors were implanted in the mammary pad of 11 nude rats. Ultrasound and photoacoustic (PA) scanning were performed using a Vevo 2100 scanner (Visualsonics, Toronto, Canada).

The antiangiogenic effects of a vascular endothelial growth factor decoy receptor can be monitored in vivo using contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging.

The development of antiangiogenic therapies has stimulated interest in noninvasive imaging methods to monitor response. We investigated whether the effects of a vascular endothelial growth factor decoy receptor (VEGF Trap, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY) could be monitored in vivo using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Twenty nude mice (in two groups) were implanted with a human melanoma cell line (DB-1).

Adenocarcinoma of the ileocolic junction and multifocal hepatic sarcomas in an aged rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta).

An aged male rhesus macaque in our colony had decreased appetite and a loss of interest in behavioral testing. CBC analysis revealed a regenerative, microcytic, hypochromic anemia with thrombocytosis, consistent with iron deficiency. A fecal occult blood test was positive.

Chronic liver disease: noninvasive subharmonic aided pressure estimation of hepatic venous pressure gradient.

Purpose: To compare subharmonic aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) with pressure catheter-based measurements in human patients with chronic liver disease undergoing transjugular liver biopsy.

Materials And Methods: This HIPAA-compliant study had U.S.

Acute portal hypertension models in dogs: low- and high-flow approaches.

Effective animal models are needed to evaluate the feasibility of new techniques to assess portal hypertension (PH). Here we developed 2 canine models of acute PH by increasing intrasinusoidal resistance and by increasing the portal vein (PV) flow volume to test the efficacy of a noninvasive technique to evaluate PH. The acute low-flow PH model was based on embolization of liver circulation by using a gelatin sponge material.

Investigating the efficacy of subharmonic aided pressure estimation for portal vein pressures and portal hypertension monitoring.

The efficacy of using subharmonic emissions from Sonazoid microbubbles (GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) to track portal vein pressures and pressure changes was investigated in 14 canines using either slow- or high-flow models of portal hypertension (PH). A modified Logiq 9 scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA) operating in subharmonic mode (f(transmit): 2.5 MHz, f(receive): 1.

Enhancing awareness of the diagnostic medical sonography professions: a high school outreach program.

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to develop a presentation that can be used to increase the number of high school students who recognize diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) professions as career alternatives and will consider pursuing DMS careers.

Methods: An interactive program was developed that includes a digital presentation, question-and-answer session, and scanning demonstration. The program was presented to students at their high schools.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of sentinel lymph nodes after peritumoral administration of Sonazoid in a melanoma tumor animal model.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare lymphosonography (ie, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging [US] after interstitial injection of a US contrast agent) for the detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in swine with naturally occurring melanoma tumors to lymphoscintigraphy using blue dye-guided surgical dissection as the reference standard. Also, we sought to determine if lymphosonography can be used to characterize SLNs.

Methods: Sixty-three swine with 104 melanomas were evaluated.

Parametric imaging using subharmonic signals from ultrasound contrast agents in patients with breast lesions.

Parametric maps showing perfusion of contrast media can be useful tools for characterizing lesions in breast tissue. In this study we show the feasibility of parametric subharmonic imaging (SHI), which allows imaging of a vascular marker (the ultrasound contrast agent) while providing near complete tissue suppression. Digital SHI clips of 16 breast lesions from 14 women were acquired.

Nonsurgical repair of a pseudoaneurysm in a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis).

A cynomolgus macaque presented with an ecchymotic and edematous left leg approximately 1 wk after a blood sample had been collected from the left femoral vein. Ecchymosis was noted in the femoral triangle, prepuce, and scrotum. The animal was not febrile or exhibiting signs of pain or distress.

Static and dynamic cumulative maximum intensity display mode for subharmonic breast imaging: a comparative study with mammographic and conventional ultrasound techniques.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of static and dynamic cumulative maximum intensity (CMI) subharmonic imaging (SHI) in breast ultrasound studies.

Methods: Contrast-enhanced SHI was performed in 14 women using a modified LOGIQ 9 scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) transmitting/receiving at 4.4/2.

Comparing image processing techniques for improved 3-dimensional ultrasound imaging.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare volumetric image processing techniques for reducing noise and speckle while retaining tissue structures in 3-dimensional (3D) gray scale ultrasound imaging.

Methods: Eighty subjects underwent a clinically indicated abdominal or obstetric 3D ultrasound examination (20 hepatic, 20 renal, and 40 obstetric cases). Volume data were processed on a pixel ("2-dimensional [2D] processing") or a voxel ("3D processing") basis using commercially available image enhancement software (ContextVision AB, Linköping, Sweden).

Thyroid lymphosonography: a novel method for evaluating lymphatic drainage.

Objectives: We evaluated lymphosonography, or contrast-enhanced, ultrasonography (US)-guided sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection, as a technique for demonstrating the lymphatic drainage of the thyroid gland.

Methods: In this prospective animal study, four 50-kg Yorkshire swine underwent transcutaneous injection of a US contrast agent and methylene blue dye into the thyroid gland. Contrast-enhanced US was used to identify draining lymphatic channels and SLNs.

Lymphosonographic sentinel node biopsy of the supraglottis in a swine model.

Objective: To test the feasibility of a novel contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) technique, or lymphosonography, for sentinel node biopsy (SNB) of the supraglottis in a porcine model.

Study Design And Setting: In this prospective, nonrandomized animal study, blue dye and ultrasound contrast agent were injected into the supraglottis in seven 50-kg Yorkshire swine. Transcutaneous CEUS was used to identify real-time lymphatic flow of contrast through lymph channels (LC) to the sentinel lymph node (SLN).

Carotid stenosis assessed with a 4-dimensional semiautomated Doppler system.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare peak systolic velocities (PSVs) and the degree of stenosis obtained with a real-time 3-dimensional (ie, 4-dimensional) Doppler ultrasound scanner (Encore PV; VueSonix Sensors Inc, Wayne, PA) to conventional Doppler ultrasound imaging of the carotid arteries (common [CCA], internal [ICA], and external [ECA]). A secondary goal was to assess Encore volume flow measurements.

Methods: Seventy patients referred for clinical carotid ultrasound participated in this pilot study.

Comparing contrast-enhanced color flow imaging and pathological measures of breast lesion vascularity.

This study was conducted to compare quantifiable measures of vascularity obtained from contrast-enhanced color flow images of breast lesions to pathologic vascularity measurements. Nineteen patients with solid breast masses received Levovist Injection (10 mL at 300 mg/mL; Berlex Laboratories, Montville, NJ, USA). Color flow images of the mass pre and post contrast were obtained using an HDI 3000 scanner (Philips Medical Systems, Bothell, WA, USA) optimized for clinical scanning on an individual basis.

Canine prostate: contrast-enhanced US-guided radiofrequency ablation with urethral and neurovascular cooling--initial experience.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate in a canine model contrast material-enhanced ultrasonography (US) for guiding and monitoring radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the entire prostate, with urethral and vascular cooling to protect the surrounding structures.

Materials And Methods: After approval by the institutional animal use and care committee, an RF electrode was used to ablate the entire prostate in 15 dogs. During ablation, pulse-inversion harmonic US was performed by using an endocavitary probe after an intravenous bolus injection (0.