Contrast-enhanced power Doppler imaging: comparison with scintigraphic phases of revascularization of the femoral head in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

The authors evaluated the usefulness of an ultrasound contrast agent (SHU 508A) to help identify different scintigraphic phases of revascularization of the femoral head in children with Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCP) disease. Eighteen unenhanced and contrast-enhanced power Doppler images and scintigrams of the pathologic hip in 18 children with LCP disease were compared. The scintigraphic stages of Conway's classification for LCP disease (stage A, recanalization; stage B, neovascularization) were compared with the degree of vascularity and mean peak enhancement ratios obtained from analysis of Doppler sonograms.

Contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography: assessment of revascularization flow in Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease.

A total of 26 children (26 affected, 25 control hips) with Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease (LCP) met the cooperation requirements for inclusion in the study using contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography for assessment of changes in the revascularization flow. Sagittal sonograms were obtained before and at the peak effect of an intravenously injected microbubble-based contrast agent. Overall mean peak enhancement ratios were greater for children with later onset of disease (>5.