Value of real time contrast enhanced ultrasound in the differential diagnosis between uterine leiomyoma and endometrioma

Objective To assess the characteristics and the value of real time contrast enhanced ultrasound in the differential diagnosis between uterine leiomyoma and endometrioma.Methods Sixty-four patients with uterine leiomyoma and 29 with endometrioma were enrolled in the study and all the patients were confirmed by operation or ultrasound-guided needle puncture biopsy.New contrast agent SonoVue was injected intravenously as a bolus in(2.4) ml and real time contrast enhanced ultrasound was performed to observe the enhanced pattern and characteristics.Results After the administration of SonoVue,62 patients with uterine leiomyoma showed peripherial globular enhancement pattern and centripetal filling immediately.There was a clear border between the tumor and the adjacent uterine parenchyma in 60 patients.All the 29 patients with endometrioma showed intratumor enhancement pattern and remained isoechoic with respect to the surrounding tissue.There was no clear border between the tumor and the adjacent uterine parenchyma.There was no significance comparing the parameters of peak intensity,initiation time of enhancement,time of reaching peak intensity and enhancement duration between two groups.Conclusions Real time contrast enhanced ultrasound shows different enhancement pattern and characteristics of uterine leiomyoma and endometrioma,it should be as an important tool for differential diagnosis.