A New Method for Discriminating between Bronchial and Pulmonary Arterial Phases using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

This study aimed to explore the value of a real-time comparative observation method using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for discriminating between bronchial and pulmonary arterial phases in diagnosing lung diseases. Forty-nine patients with 50 pulmonary lesions (45 peripheral lesions and five central lesions with obstructive atelectasis, including 36 malignant tumors, five tuberculomas, four inflammatory pseudotumors and five pneumonia lesions) detected via computed tomography and visible on ultrasonography were enrolled in this study. The arterial phases were determined by comparing contrast agent arrival time (AT) in the peripheral lung lesion with that in adjacent lung tissue, referred to as a real-time comparative observation method. Detection rates of this observation method were 100% (50/50) for pulmonary arterial phase and 88% (44/50) for bronchial arterial phase. Using the instrument's built-in graphing and analysis software, a time-intensity curve was constructed based on a chosen region of interest within the lesion where enhancement was the most obvious. Commonly used perfusion indicators in CEUS, such as AT, time-to-peak and peak intensity, were obtained from the time-intensity curve. Percutaneous puncture biopsies were performed under ultrasound guidance, and specimens of all 50 lesions were examined pathologically. AT was significantly shorter in patients with pneumonia than in those with malignant tumors or chronic inflammation (p < 0.05), whereas no difference was seen between those with malignant tumors and those with chronic inflammation. No significant differences in time-to-peak or peak intensity were seen among those with various lung diseases (p > 0.05). This is the first description of a real-time comparative observation method using CEUS for determining the arterial phases in the lungs. This method is accurate, simple to perform and provides a direct display. It is expected to become a practical and feasible tool for diagnosing lung diseases.