Intravenous contrast ultrasound examination using contrast-tuned imaging (CnTI) and the contrast medium SonoVue for discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses with solid components

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether intravenous contrast ultrasound examination is superior to gray-scale or power Doppler ultrasound for discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses with complex ultrasound morphology.

METHODS

In an international multicenter study, 134 patients with an ovarian mass with solid components or a multilocular cyst with more than 10 cyst locules, underwent a standardized transvaginal ultrasound examination followed by contrast examination using the contrast-tuned imaging technique and intravenous injection of the contrast medium SonoVue(R). Time intensity curves were constructed, and peak intensity, area under the intensity curve, time to peak, sharpness and half wash-out time were calculated. The sensitivity and specificity with regard to malignancy were calculated and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves were drawn for gray-scale, power Doppler and contrast variables and for pattern recognition (subjective assignment of a certainly benign, probably benign, uncertain or malignant diagnosis, using gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasound findings). The gold standard was the histological diagnosis of the surgically removed tumors.

RESULTS

After exclusions (surgical removal of the mass > 3 months after the ultrasound examination, technical problems), 72 adnexal masses with solid components were used in our statistical analyses. The values for peak contrast signal intensity and area under the contrast signal intensity curve in malignant tumors were significantly higher than those in borderline tumors and benign tumors, while those for the benign and borderline tumors were similar. The area under the ROC curve of the best contrast variable with regard to diagnosing borderline or invasive malignancy (0.84) was larger than that of the best gray-scale (0.75) and power Doppler ultrasound variable (0.79) but smaller than that of pattern recognition (0.93).

CONCLUSION

Findings on ultrasound contrast examination differed between benign and malignant tumors but there was a substantial overlap in contrast findings between benign and borderline tumors. It appears that ultrasound contrast examination is not superior to conventional ultrasound techniques, which also have difficulty in distinguishing between benign and borderline tumors, but can easily differentiate invasive malignancies from other tumors.

The role of CnTI-SonoVue in the diagnosis of ovarian masses with papillary projections: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVES

To describe sonographically the distribution patterns of a second-generation contrast agent in the microcirculation of unilocular and multilocular ovarian masses with papillary projections, and to investigate whether qualitative evaluation of the passage of the contrast agent can improve the performance of sonography in distinguishing between benign and malignant masses with papillary projections.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients with unilocular or multilocular ovarian masses with papillary projections were enrolled into the study in three clinical centers. The contrast-enhanced transvaginal examination was performed using 'Contrast Tuned Imaging' (CnTI) technology and SonoVue ultrasound contrast agent.

RESULTS

Twenty-four (73%) lesions were benign, eight (24%) were borderline ovarian tumors, and one patient presented with an endometrioid ovarian adenocarcinoma. On color and power Doppler examinations the presence of vessels was demonstrated in 17 papillary projections, while on CnTI-SonoVue examination, the presence of vessels was shown in these 17 and in six additional cases. In all cases with absent papillary perfusion after SonoVue intravenous injection, the cyst wall appeared unequivocally regular. The sensitivity and specificity of conventional color Doppler examination with regard to malignancy were 100% and 67% and the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.03 and 0.16, respectively. For the contrast-enhanced examination the corresponding values were 100%, 42%, 1.7 and 0.26. The difference in specificity was statistically significant (P<0.05) because 14 cases, in which papillary perfusion was detected after SonoVue injection, proved to be benign on pathological examination.

CONCLUSION

Qualitative evaluation of blood circulation in papillary projections using CnTI-SonoVue examination does not improve the discrimination of benign from borderline/malignant ovarian masses with papillary projections.

[Feasability of real time contrast enhanced ultrasound in renal disease]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate feasibility of real-time contrast enhanced ultrasound in renal disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen patients (sex-ratio=1: mean age 62.3 +/-18.1 years) presenting with several renal diseases were enrolled in the present study. Real time contrast enhanced sonography was performed using an ultrasound dedicated system Esatune (Esaote, Firenze, Italy) with a very low mechanical index (MI<0.1) and a dedicated contrast software CnTI after bolus injection of 2.4 ml Sonovue (Bracco, Milan, Italy). Detection, characterization and extension of renal masses as well as inflammatory and ischemic lesions were evaluated. The results were compared to those obtained by reference method such as contrast-enhanced CT-Scan or MRI.

RESULTS

This preliminary study gave some valuable results compared to baseline sonography: marked improvement in tumor delineation or internal microvasculature, detection of venous extension, improvement in cystic mass characterization. Diagnosis confidence was improved and reached 83% when diagnosis concordance with reference modality was improved by 50%.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary results show that real-time contrast enhanced sonography could improve detection and characterization of renal masses by a complete assessment or arterial phase. Further studies are required to confirm these first results with possible advantages for the diagnosis of renal affections.

Clinical safety of SonoVue, a new contrast agent for ultrasound imaging, in healthy volunteers and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety profile of SonoVue, a new echo-contrast agent based on stabilized sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) microbubbles, in healthy volunteers and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

Safety and tolerability of SonoVue were evaluated in 66 healthy volunteers during two placebo-controlled phase I studies (a single intravenous ascending-dose study in 36 volunteers given SonoVue doses of 0.003 to 0.12 mL/kg and a multiple-dose study in 30 subjects given cumulative doses of 0.15 to 0.6 mL/kg) and in 12 patients with COPD of various degrees of clinical severity, who were given SonoVue at a dosage of 4 mL (corresponding to 0.057 mL/kg in a 70-kg patient). Adverse events were monitored up to 48 to 72 hours after administration. All volunteers underwent extensive safety assessments (monitoring of vital signs, electrocardiogram, blood oxygen saturation, laboratory assessments, and Mini-Mental test) up to 24 to 72 hours after administration. In addition, patients with COPD underwent specific lung function tests, such as forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, and forced midexpiratory flow.

RESULTS

No serious adverse events occurred throughout the study. All nonserious adverse events were minor, mild, and rapidly self-resolving. No difference in the incidence of adverse events was observed among the various dosages of SonoVue and between SonoVue and placebo. There were no clinically significant changes in any of the safety assessments. No statistically significant differences between SonoVue and placebo were observed in mean forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, or forced midexpiratory flow levels. No substantial changes from baseline in blood oxygen saturation were observed for either study agent at any postinjection time point.

CONCLUSIONS

SonoVue showed a good safety profile both in healthy subjects and in patients with COPD.

Diagnostic efficacy of SonoVue

SonoVue is a second-generation ultrasound contrast agent consisting of phospholipid-stabilized microbubbles filled with sulfur hexafluoride, with outstanding stability and resistance to pressure. The efficacy of SonoVue (0.5, 1, 2, 4 mL) was compared with Albunex (doses 0.08 and 0.22 mL/kg) in patients with suspected ischemic disease and suboptimal endocardial-border delineation on unenhanced echocardiography at rest. All the doses resulted in significantly greater increases compared with Albunex in left-ventricular endocardial-border delineation score as well as in the duration of clinically useful contrast effect. The utility of SonoVue in diagnosing ischemic heart disease was also evaluated during pharmacologic stress (arbutamine or dobutamine). SonoVue produced significant increases from baseline in endocardial-border delineation score both at rest and during pharmacologic stress. The possibility of detecting myocardial perfusion defects using SonoVue-enhanced power Doppler and gray-scale harmonic contrast echocardiography associated with continuous and intermittent imaging was assessed in patients with coronary artery disease. The results obtained were comparable with corresponding 99mTc sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography images. An effective cardiovascular assessment of a patient should also include the evaluation of carotid vessels, intracranial circulation, and renal arteries. SonoVue provided significant improvements in the evaluation of the Doppler signal in terms of diagnosis agreement with reference imaging modality especially for intracranial vessels. The safety profile of SonoVue was evaluated in 1,406 patients. The incidence of adverse events was 10.4%, the great majority of which were of mild intensity and resolved without consequences.

Why cardiac magnetic resonance imaging will not make it

Coronary artery disease is currently the largest killer in the western world, and is estimated to become the leading cause of death worldwide by the year 2020. The question therefore is whether magnetic resonance imaging currently has a place in the already extremely well equipped armamentarium of cardiac testing. Although it is promising, its clinical use is somewhat limited by high cost and low availability of equipment and trained personnel. The absence of portable systems for cardiac application make cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the emergency room, at the patient's bedside or in the doctor's office impossible. The comparison of the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with proven and cost-effective techniques like echocardiography and nuclear imaging will be decisive in terms of the choice of imaging modalities in cardiology.

Safety and ultrasound-enhancing potentials of a new sulfur hexafluoride-containing agent in the cerebral circulation

Insufficient ultrasound penetration through the temporal bone is a serious limitation of transcranial ultrasound diagnostics. In a phase I study, the authors studied safety and ultrasound enhancing potentials of the new transpulmonary ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue, which contains sulfur hexafluoride gas microbubbles stabilized by a phospholipid shell. Twelve healthy volunteers received four different doses of SonoVue (0.3 ml, 0.6 ml, 1.2 ml, and 2.4 ml) intravenously. The duration of ultrasound contrast enhancement was measured by transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS). Safety and tolerability was monitored during the study and for 24 hours after contrast agent administration. TCD: Duration of spectral enhancement (signal intensity of 5 dB over baseline) was observed dose-related (p < 0.0001; Friedman-test) for (0.3 ml) 136 +/- 63.4 seconds; (0.6 ml) 191 +/- 63.3 seconds; (1.2 ml) 314 +/- 88 seconds; (2.4 ml) 434 +/- 168 seconds [mean +/- SD]. Dependent on dosage, the peak signal amplification in TCD was significantly different (p < 0.001; Friedman-test) as well: (0.3 ml) 24.5 +/- 2.0 dB; (0.6 ml) 26.0 +/- 1.6 dB; (1.2 ml) 27.6 +/- 2.2 dB; (2.4 ml) 28.4 +/- 2.2 dB (mean +/- SD). TCCS: Mean time of optimal enhancement increased from 214 +/- 73 seconds (0.3 ml) to 356 +/- 14 seconds (2.4 ml) in a dose-dependent manner. In TCCS, signal amplification appeared to be stronger with increasing doses. Adverse events were not observed during the study. This investigation describes the ultrasound enhancing potential of SonoVue in the intracranial cerebral circulation. SonoVue proved to be well tolerated and provided a long-lasting ultrasound contrast enhancement that supports an optimal transcranial ultrasound diagnostic.

A double-blind comparison of nicorandil and metoprolol in stable effort angina pectoris

The antianginal activities of nicorandil, 10 and 20 mg bid, and metoprolol, 100 mg bid, were compared in patients with stable effort angina pectoris in a randomized, double-blind parallel group study lasting 7 weeks. Twenty patients were enrolled into the trial and 16 patients completed the study. To evaluate the anti-ischemic effects of the two drugs, a treadmill exercise test was performed after a 1-week placebo run-in period and 6 weeks of treatment. On the same occasions, weekly sublingual nitroglycerin consumption and the number of anginal attacks were also recorded in the patient's diary. The total duration of exercise increased significantly with both nicorandil, 10 and 20 mg, and metoprolol (p < 0.01). Similar improvements were observed in the time to onset of ischemia with both treatments (p < 0.01). The double product at maximal comparable workload (MAX 1) was reduced with the two drugs (p < 0.05 for nicorandil and p < 0.01 for metoprolol), while at the maximal exercise time (MAX 2) it was reduced with metoprolol (p < 0.01) and slightly but not significantly increased with both doses of nicorandil. Weekly sublingual nitroglycerin consumption and anginal attacks were also significantly reduced a similar manner by both treatments (p < 0.01). In conclusion, nicorandil, 10 and 20 mg bid, exerted an anti-ischemic effect comparable with that of metoprolol in patients with stable effort angina pectoris.

Comparison of bisoprolol and diazepam in the treatment of cardiac neurosis

In order to compare the beta blockers bisoprolol and diazepam in the treatment of cardiac neurosis, 40 patients (16 males and 24 females, mean age: 39 +/- 11 years) were examined in a double-blind, crossover study. Following a 4-week placebo period, patients were randomized to receive either bisoprolol 10 mg daily or diazepam 5 mg twice daily for 4 weeks. After a second 4-week washout period on placebo, patients were switched to the alternative regimen for a further 4 weeks. At the end of the placebo periods and during each phase of treatment, the following parameters were evaluated: somatic symptoms by self-assessment questionnaire, anxiety state by Hamilton rating scale, reaction time to both acoustic and visual stimuli, blood pressure, and heart rate. Both treatments were effective in reducing somatic symptoms of cardiac neurosis, but bisoprolol was significantly more effective than diazepam (p less than 0.01). On the contrary, diazepam was superior to bisoprolol in improving the Hamilton scale related to psychic symptoms. Only diazepam prolonged reaction times. Both treatments were well tolerated; however, 12 patients complained of drowsiness and nine of sedation under diazepam. In conclusion, bisoprolol appeared to be as effective as diazepam in the treatment of cardiac neurosis, but with better effects on somatic symptoms and without affecting patients' psychomotor performance.

[The effects of bisoprolol and atenolol on glucose metabolism in hypertensive patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]

Effects of bisoprolol and atenolol on glucose metabolism in hypertensive patients NIDDM. The aim of the study was to compare the antihypertensive efficacy and the effects on glucose metabolism of a new beta 1-selective beta-blocker with high beta 1 selectivity, bisoprolol and atenolol in 12 hypertensive patients (WHO classes I e II) suffering from untreated not insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). According to a cross-over design after a placebo run-in period of 4 weeks, the patients were randomly allocated to receive bisoprolol 10 mg o.d. or atenolol 100 mg o.d. for 4 weeks, with a four-week wash-out period between the two active treatments. In basal condition and after each therapy an intravenous glucose tolerance test (i.v. GTT, 20 g) was performed, with evaluation of serum glucose and insulin at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes and glycosuria during the test. At the same time blood pressure, heart rate (supine, upright), ECG, laboratory tests were assessed and subjective tolerability was evaluated. The glucose and insulin responses to the i.v. GTT did not significantly change to basal condition. Similarly glycosuria did not show significative increment during the test with both beta-blocking therapies. Blood pressure and heart rate values were significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) after bisoprolol and atenolol treatment. During the study no side effects were reported and laboratory tests and ECG remained substantially unchanged. These data confirm the antihypertensive efficacy of bisoprolol and atenolol and demonstrate the absence of important effects of these drugs on glucose metabolism in hypertensive patients with NIDDM.

Failed anterior acromioplasty. A review of 51 cases

This report is a retrospective review of 51 patients, each of whom had a failed acromioplasty that was performed after presumptive diagnoses of impingement tendinitis. The purpose of the review is to analyze the failures, define their causes, and make recommendations regarding further management. Average age at time of initial surgery was 40 years (range, 20-64 years), and the follow-up period averaged 5.5 years (range, three to nine years). Thirty-four patients were found to have symptoms and signs that corresponded to a recognized clinical diagnosis and were thought to be sufficient to be a major cause of their pain. Twenty-three had a diagnosis other than continuing impingement. Success of a second surgical procedure was significantly greater in nonworker's compensation (WC) patients than in WC patients. Repeat acromioplasties in WC patients have poor results and are not recommended. Seventeen patients had no clear cause for their continuing shoulder tendinitis; however, time and supportive therapy allowed five patients to improve over an average 18-month period. In all categories, WC patients fared poorly, so prognosis must be guarded in this group. Non-WC patients may be helped with repeat surgery following an appropriate diagnosis for the cause of failure.