Back to Search Results

Benefit of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in the Follow-Up Care of Patients with Colon Cancer: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Dept. of Internal Medicine, Kreisklinik Ebersberg, Germany. Dept. of Internal Medicine, Helfenstein Klinik, Geislingen, Germany. Dept. of Internal Medicine, KH Villingen-Schwenningen, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. Dept. of Internal Medicine, Kreisklinik Sigmaringen, Germany. Dept. of Internal Medicine2, Caritas-Krankenhaus, Bad Mergentheim, Germany. Dept. of Internal Medicine, Rems-Murr-Klinik, Winnenden, Germany. Dept. of Internal Medicine, Israelisches Krankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany. MED Facharztzentrum, Gastroenterologische Praxis, Mainz, Germany. Dept. of Internal Medicine1, university, Lübeck, Germany. Dept. of Internal Medicine2, Klinikum Ingolstadt, Germany. Dept. of Medicine 1, University of Erlangen, Germany.

Ultraschall in der Medizin (Stuttgart, Germany : 1980). 2015;(6):590-3
Full text from:

Other resources

Abstract

PURPOSE According to the German guidelines on colorectal cancer, unenhanced ultrasound is recommended for follow-up. On the other hand, ultrasound and radiology societies specify the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for ruling out liver metastases. Studies focusing on the follow-up of cancer patients are lacking. The goal of this multicenter study initiated by the German Ultrasound Society (DEGUM) was to determine the potential benefit of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the follow-up of patients with colon cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Follow-up patients with colon cancer (UICC > IIa) were investigated. As scheduled according to the German guidelines, unenhanced ultrasound was performed followed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. All liver lesions were recorded. In case of additional metastases detected on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, contrast-enhanced CT, MRI or biopsy was performed to confirm additional liver metastases. RESULTS A total of 45 liver metastases were detected in 26/290 patients (= 9 %) using unenhanced ultrasound. A further 28 metastases were detected on contrast-enhanced ultrasound in these 26 patients. In 18 patients showing no liver metastases, 40 additional metastases were detected on unenhanced ultrasound. This means that 44 patients with a total of 113 liver metastases were detected on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (p = 0.0006). CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced ultrasound should be recommended in the follow-up of patients with colon cancer in addition to unenhanced ultrasound - the up-to-date standard.

Methodological quality

Publication Type : Clinical Trial ; Multicenter Study

Metadata

MeSH terms : Image Enhancement