[Quantification of hepatic arterial and portal venous flow using ultrasound contrast agents for early detection of liver metastases of colorectal cancers].

PURPOSE: To quantify liver blood flow using US contrast agents and to evaluate arterial and portal changes in control patients and patients with liver metastases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty eight patients were included in this study, 8 controls (M0) and 20 patients with liver metastases from colon carcinoma (M+). Hepatic blood flow from hepatic artery and portal vein were determined using quantification of enhancement after contrast injection using Power Doppler US. The ratio of enhancement rise from artery and vein allows calculation of Contrast Enhanced Doppler Perfusion Index (CEDPI) as previously described for Doppler Perfusion Index (DPI).
RESULTS: A significant difference was noted for CEDPI between controls (0.49 +/- 0.07) and liver with metastases (0.70 +/- 0.12).
CONCLUSION: This functional method of evaluation of liver blood flow was easy to perform, and would be valuable for early detection of overt micro-metastases before anatomical changes observed by conventional imaging. This is helpful for accurate staging of colon carcinoma.