Initial experience with contrast-enhanced sonography of the prostate

OBJECTIVE. We investigated the usefulness of contrast-enhanced sonography t o depict vascularity in the prostate and improve the detection of prostatic cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Twenty-six patients with an elevated prostate-specifi c antigen level (greater than or equal to 4 ng/ml) or an abnormal digital r ectal examination were enrolled in a phase II study of an IV injected sonog raphic contrast agent, Continuous gray-scale, intermittent gray scale, phas e inversion gray-scale, and power Doppler sonography of the prostate were p erformed. Sonographic findings were correlated with sextant biopsy results. RESULTS. After the administration of contrast material, gray-scale and Dopp ler images revealed visible enhancement (p < 0.05). Using intermittent imag ing, we found focal enhancement in two isoechoic rumors that were not visib le on baseline images. No definite focal area of enhancement was identified in any patient without cancer. Contrast-enhanced images revealed transient hemorrhage in the biopsy tracts of three patients. CONCLUSION. Enhancement of the prostate can be seen on gray-scale and Doppl er sonographic images after the administration of an IV contrast agent, Con trast-enhanced intermittent sonography of the prostate may be useful for th e selective enhancement of malignant prostatic tissue.