Comparison of Parameters of Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE-)MRI & Contrast Enhanced UltraSound (CEUS) Applied in a Clinical Pharmacological Study

Ulrike Fasol¹, Annette Frost², Martin Buechert¹, Klaus Mross², Jann Arends²

Tumor-growth is critically dependent on blood supply. Thus tumor vasculature presents an ideal target for cancer therapy and numerous antivascular strategies are currently under investigation. DCE(dynamic-contrast-enhanced)-MRI is a non-invasive technique that is capable to measure tumor haemodynamics. It is therefore suitable for monitoring vascular targeted therapies. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is discussed as an alternative in some applications. Whereas DCE-MRI has been used for a couple of years and standards were published, CEUS is a relative new technique and standards have to be developed. In the current pharmacological study 14 patients were examined with both modalities and results were compared.