Objectives 

To evaluate the benefits of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with high frequency transducers in preoperative identifying and diagnosis of focal gallbladder lesions (FBLs).

Patients & Methods 

From January 2016 to Oct 2018, 45 FBLs detected by conventional B mode ultrasound (BMUS) were included. All ultrasound examinations were performed by an S2000 HELX OXANA unit (Contrast pulse sequencing, CPS) (Siemens Medical Solutions, Germany), first with a 6C-1 convex array transducer (3.5 MHz) and afterwards with a 9L4 high frequency transducer (7.5 - 12 MHz). High frequency dynamic CEUS were performed after bolus injection of 4.8 ml SonoVue®. The detection rate, size, depth, echogenicity and CEUS enhancement pattern of FBLs were recorded and analyzed. All lesions were confirmed by surgery and histopathological results. 

Results 

The detection rate of FBLs by CEUS using high frequency transducer (100 %, 45/45) was significantly higher than conventional BMUS with low frequency transducer (88.9 %, 40/45) (P < 0.05). The mean diameter of FBLs was 11.5 ± 2.7mm, and mean depth was 11.2 ± 5.1 mm. Most of lesions (41/45, 91.1 %) were hyperechoic on BMUS performed with low frequency transducer. CEUS study performed with high frequency transducers markedly increased the ability to depict very small irregularities and discontinuous of the walls (less than 10 mm in size), with respect to CEUS with low-frequency transducer performed immediately before.

Conclusions

Transabdominal CEUS with the adjunctive use of high frequency transducers is a promising technique for observation of gallbladder wall integrity. Thus it might be helpful for preoperative characterization of focal gallbladder lesions.