Objectives: This study presents the contrast-enhanced ultrasono-graphic (CE-US) findings of six cases of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.Methods: Six lesions (three renal lesions, one liver lesion, one duo-denal lesion and one para-aortic lymph node) in six patients wereexamined by B-mode, color Doppler sonography and CEUS. All pa-tients were diagnosed histologically (four diffuse large B-cell lym-phoma, one NK/T-cell lymphoma and one follicular lymphoma). TheUS equipment was used a GE LOGIQ7 with a 3.5 MHz convex probe.After bolus injection of contrast agent (Levovist 2.5 g;300 mg/ml),coded harmonic angio or tru-agent detection technique were performedusing a combination of continuous scanning to assess the vascularpattern followed by interval delayed intermittent scanning to determinethe sequential enhancement pattern.Results: By CE-US, vascular image showed numerous finely, linearand spotty vessels and enhancement pattern showed diffuse reticularappearance (lace -like appearance). All six lesions showed the sameCE-US findings and the difference of the organ or pathologic typecould not be detected.Conclusions: It was thought that these CE-US findings were charac-teristic of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

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Role of contrast enhanced ultrasound with SonoVue® incharacterization of thyroid nodules in comparison with color-power Doppler and fine needle aspiration biopsyGismant M, Tittoto P, Riccardi L, Orefice R, Bellantone R, PompiliM, Gasbarrini G, Rapaccini GL, Institute of Internal MedicineUniversity of the Sacred Heart “A. Gemelli”, Rome, Italy

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhancedultrasound (CEUS) with SonoVue® to characterize thyroid nodules incomparison with color-power Doppler and cytological findings.Methods: We evaluated the baseline color and the power Dopplervascular pattern on 55 focal thyroid lesions in 45 patients. CEUS wasperformed using 4,8 mg of intravenous bolus injection of SonoVue®(Bracco International), considering the time to peak enhancement(TPE) and wash-out timing. All the nodules underwent to fine needleaspiration biopsy (FNAB).Results: Of the 55 nodules undergoing US-guided biopsy, 37 weregoitre, four adenomas, thyroiditis in two and malignancy in 10; in twocases FNAB was inadequate for a diagnosis. Color and power Dopplershowed vascular pattern III type and B2 type suspected for malignant,respectively, in 8/10 and in 9/10 carcinomas. At CEUS all malignantnodules showed a TPE shorter in comparison with the all the otherlesions (p ; 0,05). Wash-out timing for malignant and follicular noduleswas significantly shorter than for benign lesions. A TPE � 10 s had apositive predictive value of 100% in predicting malignancy.Conclusions: CEUS with SonoVue® can be used to differentiatebenign and malignant thyroid nodules higher than color and powerDoppler.

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Clinical value of diagnosis of vascular diseases of extremitieswith color Doppler flow imagingHe X, Chen J, Li J, Nanhai People’s Hospital of Foshan, China

Objectives: To appraise the clinical value of color Doppler flowimaging (CDFI) examination for vascular diseases of extremities.Methods: One thousand twenty-eight cases of vascular extremitieswere examined with CDFI.Results: In all cases, the structure of vascular and the blood flow invascular of extremities were shown clearly by CDFI. Three hundredtwenty-five patients with vascular diseases of extremities were diag-

nosed. The cases all could be found out some changes of pathology inthe structure and blood flow of vascular of extremities.Conclusions: CDFI could provide effectively evidences of diagnosisfor vascular diseases of extremities. It is the more helpful for makinga correct clinical decision. CDFI is the fist choice for the examinationof vascular diseases of extremities.

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Echo-tracking on the assessment of radial artery’s wall elasticityin patients with type 2 diabetesWang J, Xie M-X, Wang X-F, Union Hospital of Tongji MedicalCollege, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

Objectives: To assess the wall elasticity of the radial artery (RA) inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and probe the clinicalvalue of self-RA as the bridge vessel.Methods: Thirty-two patients with DM2 and 30 age-matched healthysubjects were studied using echo-tracking and color Doppler flowImaging. The luminal diameters (D), the thickness of inter-med mem-brane (IMT), the elasticity modulus (E�), artery compliance (AC) andartery stiffness (�) and the peak systolic velocity (PSV) of RA wereseparately measured.Results: (1) Compared with those of normal subjects, The values of Ddecreased (2.1 � 0.6 mm versus 2.9 � 0.7 mm, p � 0.05), thethickness of IMT increased in patients with DM2 (0.9 � 0.6 mm versus0.6 � 0.3 mm, p � 0.05). (2) The values of PSV in patients with DM2were slightly higher (p � 0.05); 75% (24/32) patients appeared con-stantly diastolic perfusion in pulsed-wave Doppler spectrum. (3) TheE�, AC values reduced (p � 0.05 to 0.01), the � values increased inpatients with DM2 (p � 0.05) . The abnormalities of E�, � were moresignificant in patients with thicker IMT.Conclusions: The wall elasticity of RA in patients with DM2 wasreduced. Echo tracking could provide an accurate and feasible methodto detect the wall elasticity. The self-RA transplant should take wallelasticity and IMT into consideration.

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Functional tests performed under color Doppler ultrasoundmonitoring in the evaluation of arterial vessels reactivity. A newmethod for testing endothelium-dependent function-effort testStefanczyk L, Strzelczyk J, Gajewicz W, Majos A, Olszycki M,Grzelak P, Medical University of Lodz, Poland

Objectives: Evaluation of the arterial vessel function is conducted inorder to determine early the individual predisposition to arteriosclero-sis. It is hypothesized that one of the predisposing causes of arterio-sclerosis is a defect in NO secretion by the endothelium. This endo-thelial dysfunction can be observed during functional tests (US-CDmonitoring). Aim of the study was to investigate arterial reaction in agegroups during the most commonly used tests: nitrate stimulation andischemic test. Also we have devised a new method for testing endo-thelium-dependent function-effort test.Methods: One hundred twenty healthy volunteers with a low risk of acardiac event (SCORE) were examined. We analyzed the diameter ofthe brachial artery and the spectrum flow. Next, an ischemic test(ischemia for 4.5 min), effort test (standard work) and nitrate stimula-tion ware performed.Results: We found significant increases in both arterial diameter and inflow, especially early diastolic velocity. We observed a significantdifference in the arterial reaction in age categories (gradual decrease oftheir elasticity).Conclusions: Functional tests can show the gradual decrease of thearteries functional reserve with age. There is variability in time of onset

P284 Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology Volume 32, Number 5S, 2006