Visualization of tumor vascularity in a rabbit VX2 carcinoma by Doppler flow mapping.

Using an ultrasonic dynamic flow imager that displays both soft tissues and color-coded flow in the same two-dimensional slice, we were able to display neovascularity in a rabbit VX2 carcinoma. Intravenous infusion of epinephrine altered the flow dynamics in two arteries, one within the tumor and one at the periphery. Further, we were also able to visualize areas of multidirectional flow presumably due to complex arterial patterns and arteriovenous shunts. It is concluded that the color-coded Doppler instrument may overcome some of the methodological problems associated with tumor diagnosis via flow characteristics in the human breast. The literature indicates that the vascular response to the vasoactive drugs or thermal stress may increase differentiation of malignant breast lesions. This experiment suggests that Doppler images and measurements may be made efficiently with color-coded Doppler images, particularly with the addition of more quantitative features to the imager.