Microvessel density: correlation between contrast ultrasonography and histology of XXXX .

@entity1 @entity263 @entity5
OBJECTIVE: Increased microvessel density (MVD) of @entity263 seems to be associated with poor prognosis and higher stage. Assessment of MVD using noninvasive methods could be of use in the work-up of @entity1 with @entity263 . The aim of the present study was to correlate three-dimensional contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasound (3D-CE-PDU) findings with MVD characteristics of radical prostatectomy specimens. METHODS: Seven @entity1 with biopsy-proven @entity263 had 3D-CE-PDU investigations 2-3 weeks after prostate biopsies were taken and prior to radical prostatectomy. The investigations were performed using Levovist contrast agent (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) in combination with a Voluson 530D ultrasound scanner (Kretz AG, Zipf, Austria). The 7 @entity1 were selected because of lateralization of the contrast enhancement. Histology slides were made of the side with 'contrast enhancement' and of the contralateral 'unenhanced' side and stained according to the catalyzed reporter deposition (CARD) amplification procedure, and MVD parameters were obtained. RESULTS: In all @entity1 the MVD count of the 'enhanced' side was higher than the MVD count of the 'unenhanced' side, averaging 1.93 times higher. On histology all enhanced lesions proved to contain @entity263 tissue (average maximum diameter 25 mm (range 17-31)). Two @entity1 had a small @entity5 lesion (4 and 5 mm respectively) and in total 5 @entity1 had even smaller satellite lesions (1-2 mm). The smaller lesions were not identified using 3D-CE-PDU. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that 3D power Doppler contrast ultrasonography is a minimally invasive imaging modality, which has the potential to visualize lesions with increased MVD. This property of 3D-CE-PDU could be used in the detection of @entity263 .
