Scar versus recurrence in breast cancer: Differentiation by contrast enhanced colour Doppler ultrasound

Aim: To determine the scope of improving the distinction between a postoper ative scar and the recurrence of a breast carcinoma through the use of the ultrasound echo enhancer Levovist(R)? Method: In 23 patients with 26 lesion s a colour-coded duplex sonography examination before and after administrat ion of Levovist(R) was performed. The parameters investigated were: degree of enhancement, number of tumour vessels and the pattern of vascular morpho logy and anatomy. Results: Recurrences (n = 15) demonstrated a greater numb er of vessels and a stronger enhancement after administration of Levovist(R ). Individual vessels were also visible in scars (n=11). Further evaluation s with respect to the pattern of the tumour vascularization are therefore n ecessary with the exception of one false positive and one negative result a clear distinction was possible. Conclusion: The administration of the ultr asound echo enhancer clearly improved the otherwise difficult distinction b etween a scar and a tumour recurrence through sonography and mammography. F urther studies with larger number of patients are necessary to establish th e value of the method.