Evaluation of Soft-Tissue Hematomas With Real-Time, Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: A Pilot Study With Preliminary Findings

In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to detect active hemorrhage in patients presenting with soft-tissue hematomas. Adult patients with clinically suspected, actively bleeding hematomas were prospectively enrolled. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to assess for contrast extravasation. Ultrasound results were compared with those of multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) imaging, operative findings, and clinical course. Sixteen patients (9 women, 7 men; mean age, 69 [SD, 13] years) were enrolled. Thirteen patients underwent MDCT imaging during their initial visit, and for 11, CEUS and computed tomography (CT) findings were concordant. The remaining patients had a negative CEUS study that was consistent with their clinical course. In 8 patients, CT imaging showed active extravasation (6 arterial, 1 indeterminate, 1 slow venous). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and CT findings were concordant for all cases of arterial bleeding. For 1 patient, CEUS provided superior diagnostic information by identifying a pseudoaneurysm. The 2 discrepant patient cases had a ≥3-hour delay between CT and CEUS, and in 1 patient, CEUS was limited by body habitus. The second patient had no active bleeding identified in the operating room. Compared with CT, CEUS had a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 100%, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 71%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy was 85% in this limited study. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a promising alternative to MDCT in select patients and may sometimes provide superior clinical information. Limiting factors are large hematoma size, unfavorable anatomic location, and body habitus.