Imaging intra-arterial hepatic port catheter systems by power-Doppler sonography using contrast media - Preliminary results.

Aim: This study was designed to determine whether intra-arterial hepatic po rt catheter systems can be adequately detected by contrast-enhanced power-D oppler sonography. Method: 15 patients with a liver port: system were inves tigated before chemotherapy. Examinations were performed with short bolus i njections of the contrast medium Levovist(TM) in addition to angiographic i maging. Results: Liver port systems were easily detected by the contrast-en hanced power-Doppler method. In 11 out of 15 patients a correct flow of the contrast medium via the port system was seen with both examination methods . One partially occluded hepatic artery was not identified by power-Doppler despite correct flow of the contrast fluid. In one of three patients showi ng an incorrect flow of the contrast medium the blood circulated primarily through the splenic artery due to a dislocation of the catheter tip. Circul ation through both the hepatic and the splenic arteries was shown in a seco nd patient and an occluded right, hepatic artery was demonstrated in a thir d. All these findings were observed with both examination techniques. Concl usion: Power-Doppler sonography provides a reliable image of the port cathe ter system. This method can be used as a follow-up procedure to determine t he state of arterial hepatic circulation during chemotherapy.