Contrast enhanced ultrasonography to improve the determination of blood flow in lower esophageal mucosa of patients with hepatoceller carcinoma

Abstract

The diagnosis of esophageal varices is relevant to the determination of blood flow in the collateral vessels. Previously we have shown that the introduction of contrast enhancement to the routine ultrasonography (US), which improved the standard US system allowed evaluation of blood flow in the esophageal varices. We compared our observations on esophageal varix between endoscopy and contrast enhanced US, and assessed the diagnostic power of contrast enhanced US in the management of esophageal varix. US was performed in 50 patients with hepatoceller carcinoma. Based on the examinations of the form and the red color sign in the contrast enhanced US, we were able to visualize the esophageal varices and select candidates for treatment at high rates. Approximately 90% of esophageal varix cases in which the lumen of the lower esophagus was strongly enhanced showed indications for treatment. This improved version of US was minimally invasive and enabled us to detect varices as candidates for treatment at a high rate. Contrast enhanced US was thought to be a useful modality to evaluate blood flow of esophageal varices.