Prospective multicenter trial evaluating a novel method of characterizing focal liver lesions using contrast-enhanced sonography.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical value and potential impact of SonoVue-enhanced sonography in the characterization of focal liver lesions.

Subjects And Methods: This study included 127 patients with 82 malignant and 52 benign lesions in the liver. Contrast-enhanced sonography was performed using nonlinear imaging modes at low mechanical index (0.

Potential value of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography during partial hepatectomy for metastases: an essential investigation before resection?

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the clinical value of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CE-IOUS) as a novel tool in the hepatic staging of patients undergoing liver resection.

Methods: Sixty patients scheduled to undergo liver resection for metastatic disease were studied. Preoperative staging with contrast-enhanced CT and/or MR scans was performed within 2 to 6 weeks of operation.

Sonographically guided small-bore chest tubes and sonographic monitoring for rapid sclerotherapy of recurrent malignant pleural effusions.

Objective: To evaluate the role of sonographically guided small-bore chest catheters and sonographically based monitoring of fluid evacuation in rapid sclerotherapy of malignant pleural effusions.

Methods: In 50 patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusions, a 9F catheter was inserted into the pleural space under sonographic guidance. When sonography documented complete fluid evacuation, bleomycin (0.

Prospective randomized trial of intrapleural bleomycin versus interferon alfa-2b via ultrasound-guided small-bore chest tube in the palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusions.

Purpose: To compare bleomycin pleurodesis and immunotherapy with intrapleural interferon alfa-2b (IFN) in the palliation of malignant pleural effusions.

Patients And Methods: One hundred sixty patients with rapidly recurrent malignant pleural effusion were randomly assigned to intrapleural bleomycin (83 patients) or IFN (77 patients). A 9-French intrapleural catheter was placed under sonographic guidance, and pleural effusion was completely drained before starting the treatment.

Sonographically guided biopsy and sonographic monitoring in the diagnosis and follow-up of 2 cases of sarcoidosis with hepatic nodules and inconclusive thoracic findings.

Objective: To report 2 cases in which abdominal sonography played a useful role in diagnosing sarcoidosis with early nodular hepatosplenic manifestations.

Methods: In the first case, an asymptomatic woman with increased liver enzyme values underwent sonography, which showed multiple hypoechoic nodules in the liver and spleen. Computed tomography confirmed the hepatosplenic findings and showed micronodular infiltrates of both lung fields, without hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy.