An EFSUMB Introduction into Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (DCE-US) for Quantification of Tumour Perfusion

Abstract

Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (DCE-US) is an imaging technique that utilizes microbubble contrast agents in diagnostic ultrasound. The EFSUMB guidelines published in 2004, updated in 2008 and 2011 focused on the use of DCE-US, including essential technical requirements, training, investigational procedures and steps, guidance on image interpretation, established and recommended clinical indications and safety considerations. However the quantification of images acquired with ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) is not discussed in the guidelines. The purpose of this EFSUMB document is to provide some recommendations and descriptions of the quantification of ultrasound images, technical requirements for analysis of time-intensity curves (TICs), methodology for data analysis, and interpretation of the results.

Zusammenfassung

Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (DCE-US) ist eine Quantifizierungstechnik des kontrastverstärkten Ultraschalls. Die EFSUMB-Leitlinien 2004, 2008 und 2011 erläutern die Grundlagen für Ultraschallkontrastmitteltechniken, geben aber keine detaillierte Information zu den Anwendungsmöglichkeiten, Vorgehensweise und Besonderheiten von DCE-US. Ziel dieses EFSUMB-Dokuments ist es, notwendige Grundlagen, technischen Voraussetzungen für die Analyse von Zeit-Intensitäts-Kurven und den (standardisierten) Ablauf der Daten-Analyse und Empfehlung zur Interpretation zu geben.

Key words

Ultrasound contrast agents - guidelines - therapy monitoring - perfusion quantification

^* Both authors contributed equally to this manuscript.

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