Ultrasound Contrast Imaging of Prostate Tumors

Conclusions

NC100100 produces marked vascular enhancement (for over 10 minutes) and better visualization of the normal blood flow in canine prostates. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging in CAI mode (2D as well as 3D) matched the pathological measurements of ablation lesion and CTVS tumor sizes and location well. While free hand 3D CAI provided the best visualization of focal abnormalities, measuring the actual tumor size in this mode was limited by the inherent geometric uncertainties of the reconstruction technique. Ultrasound contrast improves the delineation of lesions as small as 4×5 mm (confirmed by pathology) and enables new lesions to be identified. The latter is clinically very important, since it opens up the possibility of reducing the currently very high rate of blind biopsies performed in prostate studies.^2,3,4,5,6

Finally, a completely new animal model, the CTVS in canines, has been developed for prostate imaging. This model has the potential to be applicable for evaluation of other diagnostic contrast agents using multiple radiological modalities in the prostate as well as in other anatomical sites (e.g., lymph nodes and liver).