Comparison of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound for quantitative analysis in liver neoplasms

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the correlation and consistency of dynamic three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (3D-CEUS) and two-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (2D-CEUS) in the time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters of quantitative analysis in liver neoplasms. Methods Thirty patients were examined with 2D-CEUS and dynamic 3D-CEUS.The dynamic raw data were analyzed by quantitative analysis software. The regions of interest were manually selected around the entire lesion; TIC curves were generated and fitted respectively. Quality of fit (QOF) was used to evaluate the degree of fit between the fitted curve and the initial curve. The corresponding 2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS quantitative parameters of the same lesion were compared, including peak intensity (PI), slope (S), area under curve (AUC), time to peak (TTP) and mean transit time (MTT). The correlation of the intensity-related quantitative parameters and the consistency of the time-related quantitative parameters were analyzed between the two kinds of CEUS. Results The consistency of time related quantitative parameters, including MTT and TTP, were 0.97 and 0.96, and the correlation were 0.94 and 0.93. The correlation coefficients of S, PI and AUC were 0.92, 0.72 and 0.65, respectively. Conclusions The quantitative results of 3D-CEUS are stable and reliable, and have fair concordance with 2D-CEUS. Dynamic 3D-CEUS can be used for clinical evaluation of the blood perfusion of liver neoplasms. Key words: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography; Liver neoplasms; Quantitative analysis