Abstract
To evaluate diagnostic performance of real-time tissue elastography (RTE) with a low frequency convex array probe for distinguishing benign from malignant hepatic tumors through trans-abdominal examination, elasticity images of 210 liver tumors were obtained by EUB-7500 (Hitachi Medical Systems and 3.5 MHz probe) and eventually 121 liver tumors were analyzed in the study. Elasticity images were classified into four types, from type a to d. Regarding type a or b as benign tumors and type c or d as malignant ones, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated and the consistency between the findings of RTE and the pathohistological diagnosis was evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were separately 97.2%, 88.0%, and 93.4% (P < 0.001). Moreover, there was a good consistency between the findings of RTE and the pathological diagnosis (kappa value 0.86). Among elasticity images of all the malignant tumors, the hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) mainly appeared in type c, and liver metastatic cancers in type d. Thus, RTE utilized as a novel noninvasive imaging examination method enables us to distinguish benign from malignant liver tumors. Moreover, it provides certain information for the differential diagnosis between HCCs and liver metastatic cancers.
Highlights
The accurate differential diagnosis for hepatic benign and malignant tumors, including that between hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and liver metastatic cancers, is a significant factor for whether the patient ought to receive an operation
With the development of technology, convex array probes with low frequency have been integrated with realtime tissue elastography (RTE), making it possible to obtain clear strain images for the lesion located in the deep tissue
The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of RTE with a low frequency convex array probe (4–8 MHz) for differential diagnosis of hepatic benign and malignant tumors through transabdominal examination
Summary
The accurate differential diagnosis for hepatic benign and malignant tumors, including that between hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and liver metastatic cancers, is a significant factor for whether the patient ought to receive an operation. The difference of change can respond to the differential strain of the tissue and be colored in the imaging system. Its application was limited in deep tumors such as liver tumors due to the low tissue penetrating power of conventional linear array probes with high frequency. With the development of technology, convex array probes with low frequency have been integrated with RTE, making it possible to obtain clear strain images for the lesion located in the deep tissue. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of RTE with a low frequency convex array probe (4–8 MHz) for differential diagnosis of hepatic benign and malignant tumors through transabdominal examination
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