Standardize and Compare Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonographic Digital Images Obtained with Different Technologies: How to Overcome the Subjectivity

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare digital images obtained with cadence contrast pulse sequencing (CPS) and coherent contrast imaging (CCI) technologies for contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). A CEUS study on 17 focal liver lesions was performed using CPS and CCI technologies with a second-generation contrast media. The lesion/liver ratio and conspicuity index were then calculated and compared with Adobe Photoshop 6.0. Lesion/liver ratio and conspicuity index using CCI ranged from 1.3 to 7.1 (mean value, 3) and 19 to 127 (mean value, 58), respectively; by using CPS, we obtained results ranging from 2 to 19.1 (mean value, 8.9) and 57 to 164 (mean value, 109.2). Lesion/liver ratio and the conspicuity index for the lesions using CPS showed significantly (p < 0.0001) superior results than those obtained using CCI. The computed analysis with standardization allows an objective evaluation of digital images of CEUS. CPS technology resulted in better lesion conspicuity compared to CCI during CEUS study on focal liver lesions.