Multimodality imaging using ultrasound image fusion in renal lesions

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the benefit of ultrasound (US) image fusion in the identifiability and assessment of the dignity of renal lesions. Materials and methods: 25 patients with 29 renal lesions were investigated using standard US and CEUS (contrast enhanced US) with image fusion (CT or MRI). Identifiability and assessment of dignity was evaluated using cross-sectional images and US separately as well as using both US-techniques with additional image fusion. The respective modality was rated by two experienced radiologists (10 and 5 years of experience) using a (subjective) 5 point rank scale (1 = best). Results: Using CEUS, image fusion resulted in improved identifiability (score: 1.1 ± 0.4) and improved assessment of dignity (score 1.0 ± 0) of renal lesions than using cross sectional images (score 1.8 ± 1.2 and 3.8 ± 1.2 respectively) separately. Conclusion: Image fusion improved the identifiability and the assessment of the dignity of renal lesions compared to using the respective modalities separately.