Contrast-Enhanced Subharmonic Imaging Shows Promise in Detecting Prostate Cancers Not Identified by MRI, Study Shows

Results to be presented at ARRS 2018 Annual Meeting

Leesburg, VA, April 10, 2018—A test of contrast-enhanced subharmonic imaging (SHI) has shown promise in detecting prostate cancers that were not identified by MRI, according to a study to be presented at the ARRS 2018 Annual Meeting, set for April 22-27 in Washington, DC.

SHI is a new technique for imaging of microbubble ultrasound contrast agents with improved suppression of background tissues. The study to be presented by Venkata Masarapu of Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University was conducted to evaluate contrast enhanced SHI of the prostate for detection of prostate cancer.

Among the study group of 28 patients, contrast enhancement was clearly observed with color and power Doppler imaging, as well as with both harmonic imaging (HI) and SHI techniques in all subjects. SHI provided improved contrast signal and tissue suppression relative to conventional HI. Areas of increased vascularity were best delineated with maximum-intensity projection SHI, which allowed visualization of microvascular architecture.

This first in vivo application of contrast-enhanced SHI demonstrated contrast enhancement in the prostate of every study patient, with focal areas of contrast enhancement corresponding to sites of cancer in 18% of targeted biopsies, including five patients whose cancer was not identified by MRI. The results indicate that SHI provides improved conspicuity of microbubble contrast enhancement and may improve the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for detection of prostate cancer.

With educational activities representing the entire spectrum of radiology, ARRS will host leading radiologists from around the world at the ARRS 2018 Annual Meeting, April 22–27, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. For more information, visit: http://www.arrs.org/am18.


Founded in 1900, ARRS is the first and oldest radiology society in the United States and is an international forum for progress in radiology. The Society's mission is to improve health through a community committed to advancing knowledge and skills in radiology. ARRS achieves its mission through an annual scientific and educational meeting, publication of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR) and InPractice magazine, topical symposia and webinars, and print and online educational materials. ARRS is located in Leesburg, VA.