OBJECTIVETo investigate contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging features of diabetic foot ulcers.

METHODSSixteen patients with diabetic foot ulcers underwent conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasound examinations, and the features of contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging were analyzed. Pathological examination was also carried out in some cases.

RESULTSContrast-enhanced ultrasound showed slow enhancement in the artery phase in the 16 ulcers after administration of SonoVue. The mean time of initial enhancement was 30.02 ± 2.35 s, and the mean time for the occurrence of peak enhancement was 37.54 ± 4.13 s. In 5 cases a homogeneous enhancement pattern was clearly displayed, and in the other 11 cases, a pattern of homogenous peripheral enhancement with non-enhanced patches within the ulcers was found. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed a greater ulcerous area than conventional ultrasound.

CONCLUSIONContrast-enhanced ultrasound is a valuable means for evaluating the ulcerous area and the treatment efficacy for diabetic foot ulcers.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Contrast Media ; Diabetic Foot ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phospholipids ; Sulfur Hexafluoride ; Ultrasonography