ROLE OF INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN DETECTING INTRAVASCULAR TUMOR THROMBI - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Background. We evaluated the role of intravascular ultrasonography In thr diagnosis of intravascular tumor thrombi. Methods. During the past 2 years intracaval endovascular ultrasonography was performed in 26 selected patients to diagnose inferior vena cava invasion. Results of positive positive intracaval Endovascular ultrasonogram were correlated with the pathologic findings of resected specimens and autopsy and with other imaging technologies such as computed tomography and angiography. Results. Six patients had positive studies of intracaval tumor thrombus. In all cases detailed horizontal images perpendicular to the inferior vena cava asis wt-ie studied. Five of the six patients underwent resection. Intravascular ultrasonography correctly predicted the extent of the tumor thrombus, the degree of tumor adherence to the vessel wall, and the intraluminal movement of the tumor thrombus. Floating thrombi were visualized as an intraluminal to-and-fro movement. Thrombus adhesion to the vessel wall appeared as an absence of space between the tumor and the wall, with no respiratory movement of the thrombus. Conclusions. Intravascular ultrasonography was useful for the accurate diagnosis of intravascular tumor thrombi and aided in formulating the operative strategy.