CONTRAST ENHANCED ULTRASOUND AS GUIDANCE FOR BIOPSY OF LARGE TUMOURS

Purpose: Necrotic regions inside tumours do not always have an echogenicity that differs from the viable portions. Thus, a necrotic yield is a common reason for a failed biopsy. The larger the tumour, the greater the risk of sustantial areas of necrosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)as a means of delineating viable portions of the tumour to biopsy. Methods and Materials: 25 consecutive patients with tumours ranging from 7–15cm in size were biopsied percutaneously under CEUS guidance. 1.5ml of contrast (Sonovue, Bracco, Milan, Italy) was injected intravenously and c…