Qualitative Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Research Articles

The Utility of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in Assessing the Risk of Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules.

Ultrasonography is a primary method used in the evaluation of thyroid nodules, but no single feature of this method predicts malignancy with high accuracy. Therefore, this paper aims to assess the utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. The study group comprised 188 adult patients (155 women and 33 men) who preoperatively underwent CEUS of a thyroid nodule classified as Bethesda categories II-VI after fine-needle aspiration biopsy. During the CEUS examination, 1.5 mL of SonoVue contrast was injected intravenously, after which 15 qualitative CEUS enhancement patterns were analysed. The histopathologic results comprised 65 benign thyroid nodules and 123 thyroid carcinomas. The dominant malignant CEUS features, such as hypo- and heterogeneous enhancement and slow wash-in phase, were evaluated, whereas high enhancement, ring enhancement, and a slow wash-out phase were assessed as predictors of benign lesions. Two significant combinations of B-mode and CEUS patterns were noted, namely, hypoechogenicity with heterogeneous enhancement and non-smooth margins with hypo- or iso-enhancement. The preliminary results indicate that CEUS is a useful tool in assessing the risk of malignancy of thyroid lesions. The combination of the qualitative enhancement parameters and B-mode sonographic features significantly increases the method's usefulness.

Diagnostic accuracy of qualitative and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging-guided contrast-enhanced ultrasound (MRI-guided CEUS) for the detection of prostate cancer: a prospective and multicenter study.

To evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI-guided contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis, and characteristics of PCa in qualitative and quantitative CEUS. This prospective and multicenter study included 250 patients (133 in the training cohort, 57 in the validation cohort and 60 in the test cohort) who underwent MRI, MRI-guided CEUS and prostate biopsy between March 2021 and February 2023. MRI interpretation, qualitative and quantitative CEUS analysis were conducted. Multitree extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) machine learning-based models were applied to select the eight most important quantitative parameters. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to select independent predictors of PCa. Diagnostic value was determined for MRI, qualitative and quantitative CEUS using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The performance of quantitative CEUS was superior to that of the qualitative CEUS and MRI in predicting PCa. The AUC was 0.779 (95%CI 0.70-0.849), 0.756 (95%CI 0.638-0.874) and 0.759 (95%CI 0.638-0.879) of qualitative CEUS, and 0.885 (95%CI 0.831-0.940), 0.802 (95%CI 0.684-0.919) and 0.824 (95%CI 0.713-0.936) of quantitative CEUS in training, validation and test cohort, respectively. Compared with quantitative CEUS, MRI achieved less well performance for AUC 0.811 (95%CI 0.741-0.882, p = 0.099), 0.748 (95%CI 0.628-0.868, p = 0.539) and 0.737 (95%CI 0.602-0.873, p = 0.029), respectively. Moreover, the highest specificity of 80.6% was obtained by quantitative CEUS. We developed a reliable method of MRI-guided CEUS that demonstrated enhanced performance compared to MRI. The qualitative and quantitative CEUS characteristics will contribute to improved diagnosis of PCa.

Score based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound predict central lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer.

To investigate the association between contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features of PTC and central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and to develop a predictive model for the preoperative identification of CLNM. This retrospective study evaluated 750 consecutive patients with PTC from August 2020 to April 2023. Conventional ultrasound and qualitative CEUS features were analyzed for the PTC with or without CLNM using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. A nomogram integrating the predictors was constructed to identify CLNM in PTC. The predictive nomogram was validated using a validation cohort. A total of 684 patients were enrolled. The 495 patients in training cohort were divided into two groups according to whether they had CLNM (pCLNM, n= 191) or not (nCLNM, n= 304). There were significant differences in terms of tumor size, shape, echogenic foci, enhancement direction, peak intensity, and score based on CEUS TI-RADS between the two groups. Independent predictive US features included irregular shape, larger tumor size (≥ 1.0cm), and score. Nomogram integrating these predictive features showed good discrimination and calibration in both training and validation cohort with an AUC of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.68, 0.77) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.85), respectively. In the subgroup with larger tumor size, age ≤ 35 years, irregular shape, and score > 6 were independent risk factors for CLNM. The score based on preoperative CEUS features of PTC may help to identify CLNM. The nomogram developed in this study provides a convenient and effective tool for clinicians to determine an optimal treatment regimen for patients with PTC.

The Diagnostic Performance of Multiparametric Ultrasound in the Qualitative Assessment of Inconclusive Cervical Lymph Nodes.

Enlarged cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) can result from infection or malignancies, and a definitive diagnosis requires histological examination. Ultrasound (US) remains the first-line imaging modality for detection, and new US techniques may improve characterization. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the qualitative assessment of multiparametric US (mpUS) can improve diagnostic performance in the differentiation of benign and malignant CLNs. 107 CLNs in 105 patients were examined by preoperative mpUS consisting of B-mode US, color-coded duplex sonography (CCDS), shear wave elastography (SWE) and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS). US images were evaluated in consensus by two experienced US operators. Histopathological examination was used as reference standard. SWE and CEUS combined showed the highest overall diagnostic performance (91% sensitivity, 77% specificity, 87% positive predictive value (PPV), 83% negative predictive value (NPV), 90% accuracy, χ2 (1) = 51.485, p < 0.001) compared to B-mode US and CCDS (87% sensitivity, 44% specificity, 73% PPV, 65% NPV, 73% accuracy χ2 (1) = 12.415, p < 0.001). In terms of individual techniques, SWE had higher specificity than B-mode and CCDS (71% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 92% PPV, 64% NPV, 78% accuracy, χ2 (1) = 36.115, p < 0.001), while qualitative CEUS showed the best diagnostic performance of all investigated US techniques (93% sensitivity, 85% specificity, 91% PPV, 87% NPV, 90% accuracy, χ2 (1) = 13.219, p < 0.001). Perfusion patterns, homogeneity, presence of necrosis, and malignancy differed significantly between malignant and benign CLNs (p < 0.001). SWE and CEUS can facilitate the differentiation of inconclusive CLNs when performed to supplement B-mode US and CCDS. MpUS may thus aid the decision between surgery and a watch-and-scan strategy in enlarged CLNs.

OR32-04 The Usefulness Of The Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) In Evaluating The Risk Of Malignancy In Thyroid Nodules

Abstract Disclosure: A. Zylka: None. K. Dobruch-Sobczak: None. M. Jedrzejczyk: None. H. Piotrzkowska-Wroblewska: None. P. Goralski: None. J. Galczynski: None. E. Bakula-Zalewska: None. M. Dedecjus: None. Objectives Ultrasonography (US) is a primary method used in the evaluation of the thyroid nodules, but there is no single feature predicting malignancy preoperatively with high accuracy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) provides information about the vascular perfusion and hemodynamics in the thyroid nodules. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to evaluate the usefulness of CEUS in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Methods Between the years 2021 and 2022, 182 adult patients (149 women and 33 men, aged 18-85) underwent CEUS of a thyroid nodule classified after fine-needle aspiration biopsy with II-VI Bethesda category. During CEUS examination 1.5 ml of SonoVue contrast has been injected and followed by analysing of qualitative CEUS enhancement patterns. All patients subsequently underwent thyroid operation and histopathologic results were used to confirm or exclude the risk of malignancy. Analysis of the visual CEUS enhancement patterns was performed by two experienced specialists in thyroid ultrasonography. Fifteen CEUS qualitative parameters of nodules were estimated and compared with normal thyroid parenchyma including: ring enhancement; low-, iso- and high enhancement; homo- or heterogenous enhancement; slow, fast or equal wash-in and wash-out and centripetal, centrifugal or diffuse enhancement. The statistical analysis of the obtained results was performed using the logistic regression. First sensitivity, specificity and AUC were calculated only for CEUS qualitative features. Then the model was extended using the results based on US B-mode imaging which involved three suspicious features: irregular margins, microcalcifications and marked hypoechogenicity. Results Histopathologic results included 61 benign thyroid nodules (in 51 women and 10 men) and 121 thyroid carcinomas (in 99 women and 22 men). The analysis has pointed five CEUS parameters statistically significant in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid nodules: low, homogenous and centrifugal enhancement, ring enhancement and slow-wash-out of the contrast. The model, using the above parameters evaluated the risk of malignancy of thyroid nodules with sensitivity of 85.12% and specificity of 45.90% with 0.75 AUC. Including the B-mode features, the sensitivity, specificity and AUC were 85.95%, 62.30% and 0.86, respectively. Conclusions Preliminary results indicate that CEUS is an useful tool in the evaluation of the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules. The combination of the qualitative enhancement parameters and US B-mode sonographic features increases the usefulness of the method in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant nodules. However, further multicenter studies should be performed in order to standardize qualitative and quantitative CEUS features. Presentation: Sunday, June 18, 2023

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 category thyroid nodules coexisting with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

This study aims to evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), shear wave elastography (SWE), and their combined use in the differentiation of American College of Radiology (ACR) thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) 4 and 5 category thyroid nodules coexisting with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). A total of 133 pathologically confirmed ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 category nodules coexisting with HT in 113 patients were included; CEUS and SWE were performed for all nodules. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the SWE, CEUS, and the combined use of both for the differentiation of benign and malignant nodules were compared, respectively. Using CEUS alone, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 89.2%, 66.0%, 81.3%, 78.6%, and 80.5%, respectively. Using SWE alone, Emax was superior to Emin, Emean, and Eratio for the differentiation of benign and malignant nodules with the best cutoff Emax >46.8 kPa, which had sensitivity of 65.1%, specificity of 90.0%, PPV of 91.5%, NPV of 60.8%, and accuracy of 74.4%, respectively. Compared with the diagnostic performance of qualitative CEUS or/and quantitative SWE, the combination of CEUS and SWE had the best sensitivity, accuracy, and AUC; the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, and AUC were 94.0%, 66.0%, 82.1%, 86.8%, 83.5%, and 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.713, 0.886), respectively. In conclusion, CEUS and SWE were useful for the differentiation of benign and malignant ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 category thyroid nodules coexisting with HT. The combination of CEUS and SWE could improve the sensitivity and accuracy compared with using CEUS or SWE alone. It could be a non-invasive, reliable, and useful method to differentiate benign from malignant ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 category thyroid nodules coexisting with HT.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Differentiation between the Most Common Benign Parotid Gland Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Recently, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has become a promising tool in distinguishing benign from malignant parotid gland tumors. However, its usefulness in differentiating various benign parotid tumors has not been determined so far. This study aimed to systematically review the literature to determine the utility of CEUS in the preoperative differentiation between pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) and Warthin's tumors (WTs) of the parotid gland. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for English-language articles published until 21 July 2022. Fifteen studies were included. On CEUS examination, a significantly greater percentage of PAs displayed heterogeneous enhancement texture compared to WTs. Contrarily, the enhanced lesion size, the enhancement margin, and the presence of the enhancement rim did not differ significantly between the entities. Significantly longer normalized mean transit time (nMTT) and time to peak (TTP) were observed in PAs. Contrarily, the mean values of area under the curve (AUC) and time from peak to one half (TPH) were significantly higher for WTs. Due to the considerable overlap among the qualitative CEUS characteristics of PAs and WTs, the reproducible, investigator-independent quantitative CEUS measurements have a greater potential to distinguish PAs from WTs, which might influence the selection of an appropriate management strategy.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of adrenal hemorrhage: a helpful problem solving tool.

A focal lesion in the region of the adrenal gland in a newborn often requires further assessment. Ultrasound (US) is the initial imaging method of choice in young children as it does not use radiation or require sedation and it has excellent spatial resolution. In this case series, we present contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a problem-solving tool in the evaluation of neonatal adrenal lesions. The imaging and medical records of five patients with adrenal lesions were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent US as an initial examination and all had US follow-up. Additionally, two patients had MRI examinations. CEUS was performed in all patients as a follow up examination. The enhancement characteristics of the adrenal masses on CEUS were analyzed with the use of VueBox software. In addition, qualitative analysis of the cine loops for the presence of vascularization within the lesions was performed by consensus between two radiologists. The presence of an adrenal hematoma was correctly detected and characterized by CEUS in all five cases using VueBox perfusion analysis. Adrenal hematomas had no internal perfusion and flat time intensity curves. The quantitative and qualitative CEUS assessment of the mass can distinguish hemorrhage from a malignant lesion. Based on our findings, CEUS could serve as an alternative diagnostic tool to magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of slowly resolving NAH lesions.

Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of the Testes after Non-Surgical Sterilization of Male Dogs with CaCl2 in Alcohol.

Simple SummaryThe uncontrolled stray dog population presents a serious threat to public health due to the increased risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases and inflicting human injury. There is a growing interest in non-surgical chemical sterilization via intratesticular injection of chemical neutering agents such as calcium chloride, which causes sterility due to azoospermia. In this study, we monitored immediate vascular alterations in dogs from chemical sterilization, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) before and after intratesticular inoculation with calcium chloride. The CEUS is an imaging technique used to obtain a quali-quantitative assessment of tissue perfusion by intravenously injecting gas-filled microbubble contrast agent. The CEUS evaluation was performed in canine testes before and after intratesticular inoculation with calcium chloride. Our results showed that the hardening agent caused a drastic reduction of the intratesticular blood flow, which was reflected by sonographic findings. CEUS can help clinicians define immediate testicular vascular alterations achieved by chemical castration. Nevertheless, more studies are required to apply this methodology to more subjects in a broader weight range among stray dogs.Sterilization by intratesticular injection of chemical agents is a non-surgical alternative to neutering male companion animals. We used contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to monitor vascular alterations to testes immediately after the intratesticular injection of CaCL2 in alcohol. We evaluated the CEUS features of normal and damaged testes in 20 dogs after the intratesticular injection of CaCl2. The CEUS evaluation was performed at the site of the chemical agent inoculation. In treated testes, qualitative CEUS showed a lower intensity enhancement of the parenchyma than pre-treatment normal testes with a predominantly anechoic pattern and only a few hyperechoic vascular focal spots. Quantitative CEUS showed significantly lower values of time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters, including signal intensity (Peak: 4.72 ± 2.1), regional blood volume (RBV: 134.3 ± 63.7), and regional blood flow (RBF: 4.36 ± 2.18) than normal testes (p < 0.001). Sonographic findings from CEUS showed hypovascularization of the canine testicular parenchyma caused by the hardening agent. This diagnostic technique helps clinicians define testicular vascular alterations achieved by chemical castration more efficiently. Nevertheless, more studies are required to apply this methodology to more subjects with a broader weight range and stray dogs.

Clinical Diagnostic Application of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Focal Lesions of the Salivary Glands.

To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for focal benign and malignant lesions of the salivary glands, as well as for common benign lesions. A total of 91 patients with focal lesions of the salivary glands were included in this study. In this study, CEUS was used to study the differential diagnosis of focal benign and malignant lesions of the salivary gland and the most common benign tumors, that is, pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and adenolymphoma. The differences between focal benign and malignant lesions in the salivary glands were statistically significant (P <.05) in terms of qualitative CEUS indicators, enhancement pattern, enhancement homogeneity, enhancement margin, and enhanced lesion size, whereas the differences were not statistically significant (P >.05) in terms of wash-in and wash-out pattern, enhancement degree. Blurred margins and increased size of the lesion after enhancement are two CEUS features independently associated with focal malignant lesions of the salivary gland. The differences between salivary gland PA and adenolymphoma were statistically significant (P < .05) in terms of wash-in pattern, enhancement degree, enhancement homogeneity, and enhancement pattern, but not in terms of wash-out pattern, enhancement margin, and enhanced lesion size (P > .05). As an economical, convenient, and safe imaging method, CEUS has important clinical value in distinguishing benign and malignant salivary glands.

Comparative Study of Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and the Diagnostic Value of B-Mode and Color Doppler for Common Benign Tumors in the Parotid Gland.

PurposeTo preliminarily identify three common benign parotid gland tumors: pleomorphic adenomas (PA), Warthin tumors (WT), and basal cell adenomas (BCA) by qualitative and quantitative analyses using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).MethodsPreoperative images of parotid gland masses were analyzed, including 129 cases of ultrasonography (US) and color Doppler sonography (CDS) and 110 cases of qualitative and quantitative CEUS. The diagnosis was confirmed by postsurgical pathology outcomes.ResultsPA presented low and heterogeneous enhancement and echo-free area, whereas most WT and BCA presented with high and relatively homogeneous enhancement. Compared with WT and BCA groups, a “slow in” pattern was more common in the PA group and a “slow out” pattern was more frequently noted in the WT group than in the PA and BCA groups. The unique features of qualitative CEUS in the PA group enable distinguishing PA from the 2 other groups. The further distinction among the groups was made based on quantitative parameters of time-intensity curves (TICs), which revealed that the mean peak intensity (PI), mean transit time (MTT), the area under the curve (AUC), and time from peak to one half (HT) exhibited significant differences. ROC analysis was next applied to determine the optimal cutoff points to predict the diagnostic tendency among the groups. When the rising slope (RS) was >2.145, the possibility of BCA was greater than WT.ConclusionsCEUS ultrasound is of significant value in the differential diagnosis of the 3 common benign parotid gland masses.

Perfusion analysis in parotid gland tumors using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)

The diagnosis of parotid gland tumors is challenging due to their rarity and heterogenity. Neither conventional ultrasound nor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nor computed tomography (CT) allow areliable pretherapeutic diagnosis. In addition to conventional ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) enables amore detailed assessment of perfusion in parotid gland tumors, thereby improving evaluation of this tumor entity. Extensive studies with analysis of perfusion characteristics in different regions of interest (ROI) in parotid gland tumors are currently lacking. This study analysed and compared perfusion parameters in different intratumoral areas of malignant and benign parotid gland tumors using CEUS. A total of 100patients with tumors in the parotid gland were examined using B‑mode sonography, colour Doppler sonography and CEUS. The parameters magnitude, echogenicity, demarcation, vascularisation and in particular perfusion characteristics were measured and analysed. Analysis of quantitative CEUS parameters was performed using aspecific method for perfusion analysis with certain ROI, which were allocated in a standardized manner in the entire parotid gland tumors. The perfusion parameters were compared between intratumoral ROI in the tumors and between particular tumor entities. Qualitative CEUS analysis with an estimation of perfusion patterns was additionally performed. Histologically benign tumors were found in 92cases, and malignant tumors in eight cases. CEUS analysis of perfusion patterns revealed acentripetal perfusion pattern in malignant tumors significantly more frequently than in benign tumors. In the perfusion analysis of quantitative CEUS parameters, all tumors showed higher perfusion intensities in the peripheral ROI. In benign tumors, more differences in perfusion intensity between the intratumoral ROIs were detected compared to malignant tumors. The perfusion parameters (centripetal perfusion pattern; area under the curve) evaluated in this study have the potential to improve pretherapeutic diagnostics of parotid gland tumors in terms of differentiation of tumor entity. Further studies with larger patient cohorts are required for subsequent investigation and validation of the diagnostic accuracy of particular parameters to detect perfusion patterns potentially specific to particular tumor entities.

Utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for solid mass surveillance and characterization in children with tuberous sclerosis complex: an initial experience.

Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) can develop solid kidney masses from childhood. Imaging surveillance is done to detect renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and angiomyolipomas (AML), including AMLs at risk for hemorrhage. Intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may be useful for screening as ultrasound is well tolerated by children and ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) are not nephrotoxic. Retrospective review of kidney CEUS exams of pediatric TSC patients. Qualitative CEUS analysis by consensus of 3 radiologists assessed rate, intensity, and pattern of lesion enhancement. Quantitative CEUS analysis was performed using Vuebox®. Where available, abdominal MRI was analyzed qualitatively for the same features and quantitatively by in-house-developed software. Time-intensity curves were generated from both CEUS and MRI where possible. Appearance of lesions were compared between CEUS and MRI and histology where available. Nine masses in 5 patients included one histologically proven RCC and 8 AMLs diagnosed by imaging. Quantitative CEUS of RCC showed malignant features including increased peak enhancement 162%, rapid wash-in rate 162%, and elevated washout rate 156% compared to normal kidney tissue; versus AML which was 68%, 105%, and 125%, respectively. All masses were hypoenhancing on MRI compared to normal kidney tissue; MR dynamic contrast study offered no distinction between RCC and AML. The only MRI feature differentiating RCC from AML was absence of fat. Temporal resolution afforded by CEUS was useful to distinguish malignant from benign kidney masses. CEUS may prove useful for screening, characterizing, and follow-up of kidney lesions in pediatric TSC patients.

Utility of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to find the optimal parameters and cutoffs to differentiate metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) from benign LNs in the patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) on the quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features. A total of 134 LNs in 105 patients with PTCs were retrospectively enrolled. All LNs were evaluated by conventional ultrasound (US) and CEUS before biopsy or surgery. The diagnostic efficacy of CEUS parameters was analyzed. Univariate analysis indicated that metastatic LNs more often manifested centripetal or asynchronous perfusion, hyper-enhancement, heterogeneous enhancement, ring-enhancing margins, higher PI, larger AUC, longer TTP and DT/2 than benign LNs at pre-operative CEUS (p < 0.001, for all). Multivariate analysis showed that centripetal or asynchronous perfusion (OR = 3.163; 95% CI, 1.721-5.812), hyper-enhancement(OR = 0.371; 95% CI, 0.150-0.917), DT/2 (OR = 7.408; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.496-36.673), and AUC (OR = 8.340; 95% CI, 2.677-25.984) were predictive for the presence of metastatic LNs. The sensitivity and accuracy of the quantitative CEUS were higher than qualitative CEUS (75% vs 55 % and 83.6% vs 76.1 %, respectively). Quantitative CEUS parameters can provide more information to distinguish metastatic from benign LNs in PTC patients; In particular, DT/2 and AUC have a higher sensitivity and accuracy in predicting the presence of metastatic LNs and reduce unnecessary sampling of benign LNs.

Diagnostic Role of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in the Discrimination of Malignant Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

To investigate the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating benign and malignant portal vein thrombosis (PVT) complicating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), compared to diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI). Forty-nine patients with HCC who had PVT were enrolled. The quantitative and qualitative parameters of CEUS were analysed. We examined the diagnostic performance of CEUS compared with DWI. The relationships between CEUS parameters and biomarkers were also assessed. All qualitative CEUS parameters (e.g., arterial-phase enhancement, washout in the venous phase, vessel occlusion, and expansion) were significantly more common in malignant thrombosis than in benign thrombosis (p<0.05). Among the quantitative CEUS parameters, increased area under the time-intensity curve, prolonged time for full width at half maximum, and prolonged rise time were observed in malignant thrombosis, compared to benign thrombosis (p<0.05). CEUS and DWI performed similarly in discriminating between malignant and benign thrombi (p>0.05). Several CEUS parameters exhibited significant correlations with the tumour marker and stage (p<0.05). CEUS was useful for characterisation of PVT and showed a consistent high diagnostic accuracy, compared to DWI.

Differentiation of regenerative nodule, dysplastic nodule, and small hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: a contrast-enhanced ultrasound-based multivariable model analysis.

To develop a contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-based model for differentiating cirrhotic liver lesions and for active surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with focal liver lesions (FLLs) with biopsy/resection-proven pathology and pre-procedure CEUS were enrolled from our institution between January 2011 and November 2014. Univariable and multivariable regression models were constructed using qualitative CEUS features and/or contrast arrival time ratio (CATR). The optimism-adjusted Harrell's generalized concordance index (CH) was used to quantify the discriminatory ability of each CEUS feature and model. A total of 149 patients (113 men and 36 women) with 162 FLLs were enrolled with mean age 53.4 ± 12.7years. A 0.1-unit reduction in CATR was associated with a 68% increase in the odds of having a higher nodule ranking (RN < DN < small HCC) (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.20-0.50, p < .001). Arterial phase hypoenhancement and isoenhancement were inversely associated with a higher nodule ranking compared to hyperenhancement. Late-phase isoenhancement was associated with lower odds of a higher nodule ranking. The CEUS + CATR model (CH 0.92, 0.89-0.95) provided greater discriminatory ability when compared to the CATR model (ΔCH 0.09, 0.04-0.13, p < .001) and the CEUS model (ΔCH 0.03, 0.01-0.05, p = .02). Our results provide preliminary evidence that multivariable regression model constructed using both qualitative CEUS features and CATR provides the greatest discriminatory ability to differentiate RN, DN, and small HCC in patients with cirrhosis, and might allow for active surveillance of the progression of cirrhotic liver lesions. • Proportional odds logistic regression models based on qualitative CEUS features and/or CATR can be used for differentiating cirrhotic liver lesions and for active surveillance of HCC. • The reduction of CATR (RN < DN < small HCC) was strongly associated with high-risk cirrhotic liver nodules. • Inclusion of CATR in the CEUS prediction model significantly improved its performance for cirrhotic liver lesions risk-stratification.

Renal Masses: Evaluation with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound, with a Special Focus on the Pseudocapsule Sign

The aim of this study was to analyze the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating between benign and malignant renal masses, with a special emphasis on the value of the pseudocapsule sign. A total of 163 consecutive patients with 163 renal masses were involved. The conventional ultrasonography and CEUS features were assessed. Sensitivity, specificity and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) were calculated for qualitative CEUS, and a multivariate analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between the sonographic features and malignancy. Time to peak (TTP) and peak intensity (PI) were compared between benign and malignant renal masses for quantitative CEUS analysis in 72 of 163 patients. Intraclass correlations were calculated for variability in intensity and time parameters between qualitative and quantitative evaluation. Among all qualitative CEUS features, the pseudocapsule sign showed the highest Az (0.777; 95% confidence interval: 0.701–0.853) and yielded the highest sensitivity (67.4%) and specificity (88.0%); multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the pseudocapsule sign and color Doppler flow imaging patterns were the two strongest independent predictors for malignancy. For quantitative CEUS analysis, higher PI and shorter TTP were found in malignant renal masses than those in benign ones. The Intraclass correlation coefficient values among qualitative and the quantitative assessments were 0.00 for time and 0.03 for intensity. The pseudocapsule sign offered the most efficient performance among all the qualitative and quantitative CEUS features.

Improved methods of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound in patient with chronic viral hepatitis

Rationale. The article presents the data obtained by an improved method of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.&#x0D; Methods. We compared the quantitative and qualitative CEUS parameters in 2 groups of patients: the 1st group was administered 2.5 ml of the contrast agent, and the 2nd group was administered 1.0 ml of the contrast agent.&#x0D; Results. The results showed that the quantitative parameters had no statistical differences in the arterial and portal phases.&#x0D; Conclusion. The parameters of the late venous phase were not clinically significant, since the study objective included the assessment of diffuse liver disease, not focal liver lesions.

Utility of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the prediction of extracapsular extension in papillary thyroid carcinoma

The aim of this study was to find an accurate method for the detection of extracapsular extension (ECE) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). A total of 102 patients with 109 PTC nodules were retrospectively enrolled. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) characteristics were evaluated. The diagnostic efficacy of quantitative CEUS and tumor size was analyzed. The qualitative CEUS features did not differ significantly between the ECE and non-ECE groups (P > 0.05). All of the quantitative CEUS parameters with the exception of peak intensity and tumor size were found to differ significantly between the ECE and non-ECE groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that time from peak to one half (TPH), tumor size and wash-in slope (WIS) were the significantly different parameters between the ECE and non-ECE groups (P = 0.000, P = 0.005 and P = 0.030, respectively).The sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of ECE were: TPH, 75.4% (43/57) and 78.9% (41/52), respectively; WIS, 87.7% (50/57) and 42.3% (22/52), respectively; and tumor size, 71.9% (41/57) and 65.4% (34/52), respectively. Quantitative CEUS analysis and tumor size are essential for the prediction of ECE in PTC; in particular TPH has good diagnostic value in detecting ECE. Our study provides important insights into the prediction of ECE in PTC.

The contribution of qualitative CEUS to the determination of malignancy in adnexal masses, indeterminate on conventional US - a multicenter study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of qualitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in discrimination of adnexal masses which were undetermined by conventional ultrasound (US). A total of 120 patients underwent transabdominal CEUS. The initial enhancement time and intensity compared with the uterine myometrium, contrast agent distribution patterns and dynamic changes of enhancement were assessed. The sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy (ACC) and Youden’s index were calculated for contrast variables. The gold standard was the histological diagnosis. There were 48 malignant tumors and 72 benign tumors. The enhancement features of malignant masses were different from benign ones. Earlier or simultaneous enhancement with inhomogeneous enhancement yielded the highest capability in differential diagnosis, and Sen, Spe, PPV, NPV, ACC, Youden’s index was 89.6%, 97.2%, 93.2%, 95.6%, 93.3%, and 0.88, respectively. The qualitative evaluation of CEUS is useful in the differential diagnosis of adnexal masses where conventional US is indeterminate.