Dynamic Flow US, Color Doppler US, and Power Doppler US in the Assessment of Vessel Signals of Thoracic Lesions Abutting Pulsatile Organs1

Rationale and Objectives

Dynamic flow ultrasound (DFUS) is a new color Doppler imaging method with better B-mode imaging and fewer blooming effects and color noises. This study was designed to compare the imaging quality of vessel signals in thoracic lesions using DFUS, color Doppler US (CDUS), and power Doppler US (PDUS).

Materials and Methods

Thirty-four patients with thoracic lesions abutting pulsatile organs [heart (n = 13), aorta (n = 14) and pulmonary artery (n = 7)] and undergoing complete chest US examinations were included to assess the imaging quality about vessel signals, blooming effect, color noise, and the influence of decision in needle biopsy between different US modes.

Results

Our results showed that DFUS, CDUS, and PDUS could all demonstrate the vessel signals clearly (all P > .05). However, when focusing on the blooming effect and color noise, DFUS showed the more superior imaging quality than CDUS and PDUS (all P ≤ .001); and acceptable blooming effects/color noise were found with 100% (34/34)/97% (33/34), 35% (12/34)/68% (23/34), and 26% (9/34)/38% (13/34) in DFUS, CDUS, and PDUS, respectively. Especially, in the assessment of decision making for percutaneous needle biopsy, DFUS had the less influence than CDUS and PDUS (3% [1/33] versus 29% [10/34] and 3% [1/33] versus 38% [13/34], both P < .01).

Conclusions

We concluded that DFUS has a clearly more superior imaging quality than CDUS and PDUS in demonstrating the vessel signals of thoracic lesions, with less blooming effect and color noise.

Key Words: Ultrasound, lung, Doppler