Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in metastatic adrenal carcinoma

Objective To investigate the value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosing metastatic adrenal carcinoma. Methods Twenty two metastatic adrenal carcinoma lesions in 18 patients were examined using CEUS. The features and detected rate of gray scale and CEUS were analysed and compared. Results Fourteen lesions of metastatic adrenal carcinoma were detected by two dimensional ultrasonography(2DU), the detected rate of 2DU was 58. 3%. While 20 lesions were detected by CEUS, the detected rate was 83. 3%. There was a significant difference of detected rate between 2DU and CEUS (P<0.05). The adrenal metastatic carcinomas were enhanced rapidly with the peek intensity slightly low or same to the surrounding liver or renal parenchyma. The lesions number, size and range were clearly presented by CEUS. Conclusions CEUS can markedly improve detected rate of metastatic adrenal carcinoma compared with 2DU. Key words: Ultrasonography; Microbubbles;  Adrenal gland neoplasms; Neoplasm metastasis