Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound during preoperative evaluation of endometrial carcinoma

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a preoperative evaluation of early endometrial carcinoma. MethodsThis study included 14 patients who underwent preoperative CEUS and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) and were ultimately diagnosed with stage I endometrial carcinoma from December 2019 to December 2020. The parameters of the time-intensity curve (TIC) were compared with the endometrial carcinoma group, the invaded myometrium group, and the normal myometrium group. ResultsTIC parameters between the endometrial carcinoma group and the invaded myometrium group were similar. Compared with the normal myometrium group, the time to peak (TTP) was significantly shorter and the ascending slope (AS) was significantly higher in the endometrial carcinoma group. The TTP of the invaded myometrium group was shorter than that of the normal myometrium group and the peak intensity (PI) was higher than that of the normal myometrium group. We then compared the TIC parameters between the endometrial carcinoma group and the invaded myometrium group after adjusting for the normal myometrium group, and the results still did not show any difference. Of the 14 cases of endometrial carcinoma, 9 cases were diagnosed by CEMRI and were consistent with the pathology results, 1 case was underestimated, and 4 cases were overestimated; while 11 cases diagnosed were diagnosed by CEUS and were consistent with the pathology results, 1 case was underestimated, and 2 cases were overestimated. ConclusionsThe contrast pulse sequencing technique used in the CEUS examinations performed well in evaluating the extent of the endometrial carcinoma. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to determine the applicability and value of this new procedure during preoperative assessments of early endometrial carcinoma.