XXXX : evaluation with contrast-specific sonography and a second-generation contrast medium: preliminary experience.

@entity1 @entity75 @entity1188 @entity4461 @entity18767 @entity130
OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the assessment of @entity130 with contrast-coded sonography and a second-generation contrast medium. METHODS: From January to May 2002, 120 @entity1 were studied with sonography for suspected @entity130 . Twenty-five were selected for further imaging because of sonographic findings positive for @entity130 , findings positive for peritoneal fluid only, indeterminate findings, and negative findings with high clinical or laboratory suspicion. These @entity1 underwent contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography and contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography. RESULTS: Among the 25 @entity1 studied, 6 had no spleen trauma at initial and follow-up evaluation. One @entity1 had a hypoperfused spleen without parenchymal damage, and 18 had @entity130 ; these 19 @entity1 were considered positive. @entity18767 was identified by sonography, contrast-enhanced sonography, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography in 74% of the 19 positive cases. @entity4461 were recognized in 58% of the cases by computed tomography and in 42% by baseline and enhanced sonography. @entity1188 were found in 11% of cases by contrast-enhanced sonography and computed tomography; none was found by unenhanced sonography. Parenchymal traumatic lesions were identified in 12 of 18 @entity1 with @entity130 by unenhanced sonography, in 17 cases by contrast-enhanced sonography, and in all 18 cases by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. A minimal @entity75 was found in the single @entity1 with a false-negative contrast-enhanced sonographic finding. Contrast-enhanced sonography correlated appreciably better than unenhanced sonography in detecting injuries and in estimating their extent. Findings undetectable on unenhanced sonography were also noted: splenic hypoperfusion in 11% of positive cases on both contrast-enhanced sonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography, contrast medium pooling in 21% of cases on both contrast-enhanced sonography and computed tomography, and contrast extravasation in 11% of cases on computed tomography and 5% on contrast-enhanced sonography. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced sonography is a promising tool in the assessment of @entity130 . In institutions where sonography is used as the initial procedure, this technique may increase its effectiveness.
