Elastography Strain Ratio Research Articles

Combination diagnosis with elastography strain ratio and molecular markers effectively improves the diagnosis rate of small breast cancer and lymph node metastasis.

To evaluate the strain ratio (SR) combined with molecular pathological and serum markers for the diagnosis of breast masses. SR and 7-point scale elasticity scores were used with real-time tissue elastography and 2-dimensional color-Doppler ultrasound (US) to diagnose breast lesions in 311 hospitalized patients. Immunohistochemical staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to examine pathological and serum tumor markers and their correlations with SR findings. SR had a higher diagnostic value compared to the 7-point scale elasticity score, displaying an obvious low-to-high distribution from benign to malignant lesions with an optimal cutoff point at 3.88, which yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.896 with 89.1% sensitivity, 85.6% specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 91.0% and 82.8%, respectively. The differences of SR values between small (≤1.5 cm), large (>3 cm) (P=0.010), and moderate (>1.5 cm and ≤3 cm) sizes (P=0.038) in distinguishing benign from malignant breast masses were statistically significant, with SR being most specific and sensitive for diagnosing small lesions. Expression of 3 molecular pathological indicators (p75NTR, p63, and CK5/6), and 5 serum mastocarcinoma markers (uPA, PAI-I, CA27-29, CEA, and CA15-3) showed statistical significance (P<0.05) in distinguishing between benign and malignant breast lesions. Furthermore, SR combined with CA15-3 and CK5/6 positivity showed 94.2% sensitivity and 89.2% specificity as combined markers for triple-negative (TN) breast cancer, whereas SR combined with D2-40 and CK19 were good diagnostic markers for breast cancer lymph node metastasis. SR, together with a molecular and serological marker, may serve as an additional tool for the diagnosis of small breast cancer tumors.

Diagnostic accuracy of an integrated approach using conventional ultrasonography, and Doppler and strain elastography in the evaluation of superficial soft tissue lesions.

PurposeTo assess the diagnostic accuracy of an integrated approach using conventional ultrasonography, colour Doppler ultrasonography, and elastography strain ratios in tandem in the evaluation of superficial soft tissue lesions.Material and methodsSixty-five subjects were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. Greyscale features and Doppler parameters were recorded. Strain elastography of the non-vascular and non-cystic lesions was performed and strain ratios were calculated. Fine-needle aspiration or biopsy of all the lesions was performed depending on their site and condition. Inter-rater k agreement was used to determine the strength of agreement between imaging-based diagnosis and histopathological diagnosis. A diagnostic test was used to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsMultiple superficial soft tissue lesions were studied, the majority of which were lipomas, vascular anomalies, and epidermoid cysts. The diagnostic accuracy was very high and varied from 92.31% to 100% for various masses. The imaging-based diagnosis was in agreement with the histopathological diagnosis in 86.15% (n = 56) and disagreement in 13.85% (n = 9) of the cases (p < 0.007). There was very good inter-rater agreement between the imaging-based diagnosis and histopathological diagnosis (κ = 0.818).ConclusionsThe combined use of conventional ultrasonography, colour Doppler, and elastography strain ratios provides a very effective non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of superficial soft tissue lesions and may negate the need for unnecessary biopsies. The advantage of this integrated approach using various ultrasound techniques needs no further emphasis.

Diaphragm thickness and stiffness in patients with hyperkyphosis due to osteoporotic vertebral fracture: an ultrasonographic and elastographic study.

PurposeThe objective of this study was to evaluate the thickness and stiffness of the diaphragm, using ultrasound (US) and strain elastography (SE) in patients with hyperkyphosis due to osteoporotic vertebral fracture.Material and methodsThis prospective and case-control study was conducted between October 2019 and December 2019. Diaphragm thickness, SE, and strain ratio values of patients with hyperkyphosis due to osteoporotic vertebral fracture were compared with those of the control group.ResultsThere were 42 patients (14 males, 28 females) with a mean age of 81.10 ± 6.3 years in the kyphosis group and 36 subjects (11 males, 25 females) with a mean age of 81.00 ± 5.5 years in the control group. End-inspirium thickness, change level, and thickening ratio of the diaphragm were significantly higher in the control group (p < 0.001 for all). Strain ratio values were significantly higher in the kyphosis group, and the rate of hardest colour code was significantly higher in the control group. The diaphragm thickness at end-inspirium and thickening ratio values correlated positively with the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1, %) and forced vital capacity (FVC, %) values. The strain ratio values correlated inversely with the FEV1 (%) and FVC (%) values. The diaphragm thickness at end-inspirium and thickening ratio values correlated inversely with the Cobb values and number of vertebra fractures. A positive correlation was determined between the strain ratio values and the Cobb values and number of vertebra fractures.ConclusionsUltrasonography is a promising imaging tool to evaluate and quantify the diaphragm function and stiffness in relevant patients.

Diagnostic role of ultrasound elastography for nail bed involvement in psoriasis

Objective:Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, joints, and nails. To investigate the efficacy of sonoelastographic evaluation for assessing nail involvement and severity in psoriasis.Materials and methods:Thirty-one psoriasis patients and 31 healthy control subjects were included in the study. The nail thickness and nail bed thickness of the thumbs of all cases were measured by gray scale ultrasonography. In addition, the values of strain elastography were measured by sonoelastography.Results:Of the participants, 38 were male and 24 were female; the ratio of males and females was equal in both groups. There was no significant difference between the patient and control group in terms of gender and age. In the patient group, the mean duration of illness was 13.87 ± 9.8 years, mean PASI score was 5.53 ± 2.38, and mean NAPSI score was 33.97 ± 37.99. The nail plate thickness and elastography strain ratios were found to be statistically higher in the psoriasis group compared to the control group. There was also significant correlation between elastography strain ratios and nail thickness (P = .014), nail bed thickness (P < .001) and NAPSI scores (P = .01).Conclusion:Due to the superiority of ultrasound in real-time imaging of the nail structure and the compatibility of sonographic elastography with clinical scores in the assessment of the nail bed, we believe that it can be used as a complementary method.

Prospective Evaluation of Semiquantitative Strain Ratio and Quantitative 2D Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) in Association with TIRADS Classification for Thyroid Nodule Characterization.

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of strain ratio elastography (SRE) and shear wave elastography (SWE) alone and in combination with Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) classification parameters to improve differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. In this prospective study benign (n = 191) and malignant (n = 52) thyroid nodules were examined with high-resolution ultrasound (US) features using the TIRADS lexicon and SRE semiquantitative and SWE quantitative findings using histology or cytology as the gold standard with a 12-month follow-up. Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) and the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of each feature and combinations of the methods. TIRADS score showed a sensitivity of 59.6 %, a specificity of 83.8 % with an AUROC of 0.717, a PPV of 50.0 % and an NPV of 88.4 %. SRE yielded the highest performance with a sensitivity of 82.7 %, a specificity of 92.7 % with AUROC of 0.877, a PPV 75.4 % and an NPV of 95.2 %. SWE (kPa) had a sensitivity and specificity of 67.3 % and 82.7 %, respectively, with an AUROC of 0.750, a PPV of 51.5 % and an NPV of 90.3 %. Differences were significant for SRE only but not for SWE. Ultrasound elastography may improve thyroid nodule discrimination. In particular, SRE has a better performance than TIRADS classification, while their combination improves sensitivity.

Evaluating the role of strain ratio elastography in determining malignancy potential and calculating objective BIRADS US scores using ultrasonography and elastography features.

PurposeThe aims of this study were, firstly, to evaluate solid breast masses based on their malignancy potential and to determine whether the strain elastography ratio (SER) can contribute to classical grey-scale ultrasonography findings, and secondly, to define objective BIRADS US scores using ultrasound (US) and SER findings.Material and methodsA total of 280 patients and 297 solid breast masses were evaluated using sonographic and elastographic data. The SER was measured for each lesion.ResultsThe positive predictive values (PPV) for each criterion was calculated to be between 35% and 83.3%. The lowest PPV was obtained from hypoechogenicity (35%) and the highest PPV was obtained for anti-parallel features (83.3%). The difference between the mean SER of benign and malignant lesions was statistically significant. After ROC analysis, the SER cut-off value was calculated to be 3.1 for determining if the mass was benign or malignant. Mass scores were calculated for each solid breast mass based on positive predictive values, and BIRADS US score was defined as the sum of mass scores.ConclusionsSER findings can be used as malignancy criteria in evaluating solid breast masses. BIRADS US score can be objectively determined based on US and elastography features instead of doing subjective scoring. As an additional result, all solid breast masses have the possibility to be malignant, even though US and elastography findings indicate the opposite.

Evaluation of diagnostic value of conventional and color Doppler ultrasound with elastography strain ratios in differentiation between benign and malignant lymph nodes.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of conventional ultrasonography (USG) and color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) with elastography strain ratios (ESR) in discrimination between benign and malignant lymphatic nodes.Material and methodsTwo hundred and forty-seven patients (252 lymph nodes) were included in this study. USG and CDU with ESR were performed. Materials were obtained by using fine-needle or vacuum-assisted aspiration methods depending on the site and condition of lymph nodes. The χ2 test and Student’s t-test were used for comparisons.ResultsNinety-two of 252 (36.5%) lymph nodes were malignant, and 160 (63.5%) were benign. Short axis, S/L ratio, presence or absence of the fatty hilum and extra-hilar vascularity were valuable, statistically significant indicators of malignancy. In contrast, long axis and ESR were not significant indicators of malignancy. The short axis cut-off value was calculated to be 12 mm and the S/L ratio cut-off value was calculated to be 1.ConclusionsLong axis of lymph nodes and strain ratios cannot be used as malignancy criteria, and their use is controversial despite the fact that some studies have found them valuable. On the other hand, our results support common knowledge that the short axis, S/L ratio, absence of the fatty hilum, and extrahilar vascularity are significant indicators.

Value of Real-Time and Strain Ratio Elastography in Differential Diagnosis of Graves’ Disease and Subacute and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Objectives: The main purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy of real-time elastography (RTE) and strain elastography (STE) in the diagnosis of different thyroid diseases. We also aimed to calculate the cut-off points for the differential diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis (SAT), Graves’ disease (GD), and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), which have a similar B-mode sonographic appearance. Patients and Methods: A total of 24 patients with GD (10.9%), 94 patients with HT (42.7%), 20 patients with SAT (9.1%), and 82 individuals with normal healthy thyroids (37.3%) were included. Grayscale ultrasound evaluation of thyroid glands was performed with standard transverse and longitudinal planes before sonoelastography. Results: The strain ratios (SRs) (mean ± standard deviation) of patients with GD, HT, and SAT, and the control group (CG) were 14.7 ± 14.8, 8.4 ± 9.6, 23.2 ± 10.8, and 1.37 ± 0.8, respectively. The cut-off points of strain elastography of the patients with GD, HT, and SAT to the CG were 2.69 (sensitivity 92%, specificity 90%, area under the curve (AUC) 0.983; 95% CI), 2.18 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 85%, AUC 0.898), and 5.54 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%, AUC 1.000; 95% CI), respectively. The cut-off point of the strain ratios (SR) of the total amount of patients with HT and GD to SAT was 14.79 (sensitivity 80%, specificity 85%, AUC 0.869; 95% CI). Conclusion: Statistically significant differences were noted in the SR values and elasticity scores of the three experimental groups, and the CG. The elasticity scores of the SAT and HT groups were not significantly different from those of the GD group. The diagnostic performance of strain ratio elastography (P < 0.0001) was higher than that of real time elastography (P < 0.001). In terms of differentiating diagnosis, ES could differentiate SAT from HT, but it had no value in differentiating GD from HT and SAT. We also found statistically significant SRs for the differential diagnosis of SAT from GD and HT. Strain elastography could be a useful method for the differential diagnosis of SAT from a healthy population or from other types of thyroiditis such as GD and HT.

Differentiation of Pancreatic Masses via Endoscopic Ultrasound Strain Ratio Elastography Using Adjacent Pancreatic Tissue as the Reference

The aims of this study were to evaluate diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound strain ratio elastography in patients with focal pancreatic masses and to determine the cutoff value between the pancreatic malignancies and inflammatory pancreatic masses using reference areas different than those used by other investigators. In a prospective single-center study, strain ratio was measured in patients with pancreatic masses. After the diagnosis was established, statistical analysis was used to compare the group with pancreatic malignancies to the one with inflammatory masses. Strain ratio cutoff of 7.59 provided 100% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 97% overall accuracy for differentiation of patients with pancreatic malignancies from those with inflammatory masses. Our data show high sensitivity and specificity for the calculated strain ratio. Adjacent normal pancreatic tissue is adequate as a reference area based on the inclusion criteria. Diverse cutoff values and standardization of methods in the studies published so far require further investigations, before the implementation of the method in a routine clinical practice becomes possible.

Diagnostic value of qualitative and strain ratio elastography in the differential diagnosis of non-palpable testicular lesions.

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the accuracy of qualitative and strain ratio elastography (SE) in the differential diagnosis of non‐palpable testicular lesions. The local review board approved the protocol and all patients gave their consent. One hundred and six patients with non‐palpable testicular lesions were consecutively enrolled. Baseline ultrasonography (US) and SE were correlated with clinical and histological features and ROC curves developed for diagnostic accuracy. The non‐palpable lesions were all ≤1.5 cm; 37/106 (34.9%) were malignant, 38 (35.9%) were benign, and 31 (29.2%) were non‐neoplastic. Independent risk factors for malignancy were as follows: size (OR 17.788; p = 0.002), microlithiasis (OR 17.673, p < 0.001), intralesional vascularization (OR 9.207, p = 0.006), and hypoechogenicity (OR, 11.509, p = 0.036). Baseline US had 89.2% sensitivity (95% CI 74.6–97.0) and 85.5% specificity (95% CI 75.0–92.8) in identifying malignancies, and 94.6% sensitivity (95% CI 86.9–98.5) and 87.1% specificity (95% CI 70.2–96.4) in discriminating neoplasms from non‐neoplastic lesions. An elasticity score (ES) of 3 out of 3 (ES3, maximum hardness) was recorded in 30/37 (81.1%) malignant lesions (p < 0.001). An intermediate score of 2 (ES2) was recorded in 19/38 (36.8%) benign neoplastic lesions and in 22/31 (71%) non‐neoplastic lesions (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001 vs. malignancies). None of the non‐neoplastic lesions scored ES3. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between ES3 and malignancy (χ2 = 42.212, p < 0.001). ES1 and ES2 were predictors of benignity (p < 0.01). Overall, SE was 81.8% sensitive (95% CI 64.8–92.0) and 79.1% specific (95% CI 68.3–88.4) in identifying malignancies, and 58.6% sensitive (95% CI 46.7–69.9) and 100% specific (95% CI 88.8–100) in discriminating non‐neoplastic lesions. Strain ratio measurement did not improve the accuracy of qualitative elastography. Strain ratio measurement offers no improvement over elastographic qualitative assessment of testicular lesions; testicular SE may support conventional US in identifying non‐neoplastic lesions when findings are controversial, but its added value in clinical practice remains to be proven.

Endobronchial ultrasound elastography strain ratio for mediastinal lymph node diagnosis.

BackgroundUltrasound elastography is an imaging procedure that can assess the biomechanical characteristics of different tissues. The aim of this study was to define the diagnostic value of the endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) elastography strain ratio of mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with a suspicion of lung cancer. The diagnostic values of the strain ratios were compared with the EBUS brightness mode (B-mode) features of selected mediastinal lymph nodes and with their cytological diagnoses.Patients and methodsThis prospective, single-centre study enrolled patients with an indication for biopsy and mediastinal staging after a non-invasive diagnostic workup of a lung tumour. EBUS with standard B-mode evaluation and elastography with strain ratio measurement were performed before endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).ResultsThirty-three patients with 80 suspicious mediastinal lymph nodes were included. Malignant infiltration was confirmed in 34 (42.5%) lymph nodes. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the strain ratio was 0.87 (p < 0.0001). At a strain ratio ≥ 8, the accuracy for malignancy prediction was 86.25% (sensitivity 88.24%, specificity 84.78%, positive predictive value [PPV] 81.08%, negative predictive value [NPV] 90.70%). The strain ratio is more accurate than conventional B-mode EBUS modalities for differentiating between malignant and benign lymph nodes.ConclusionsEBUS-guided elastography with strain ratio assessment can distinguish malignant from benign mediastinal lymph nodes with greater accuracy than conventional EBUS modalities. This new method may reduce the number of mediastinal EBUS-TBNAs and thus reduce the invasiveness and expense of mediastinal staging in patients with non-small lung cancer (NSCLC).

Endobronchial Ultrasound Elastography for Diagnosing Mediastinal and Hilar Lymph Nodes

Background:Pathophysiological processes, such as malignancy, can lead to the formation of stiffer tissue in lung cancers. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) elastography is a novel technique for measuring tissue stiffness during EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). The current study was conducted to investigate the diagnostic value of EBUS elastography for mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastasis in lung cancers.Methods:From January 2014 to January 2015, 40 patients suspected of lung cancer were enrolled, and a total of 68 lymph nodes were evaluated by EBUS-TBNA. EBUS-guided elastography of lymph nodes was performed prior to EBUS-TBNA. Standard EBUS characteristics were also described. Pathological determination of malignant or benign lymph nodes was used as the gold standard for this study. If EBUS-TBNA did not result in a formal pathological diagnosis of malignancy, patients were referred for a surgical procedure. Comparisons of elastography and standard EBUS characteristics were made between benign and malignant lymph nodes.Results:Elastography grading scores and strain ratios showed significant differences between benign and malignant lymph nodes (P = 0.000). The elastography strain ratio was more sensitive and specific for determining malignant lymph nodes than elastography grading score or standard EBUS criteria. The receiver operating characteristic curve for the elastography strain ratio showed an area under the curve of 0.933. The best cut-off point of the strain ratio for differentiating malignant from benign lymph nodes was 32.07. The elastography strain ratio had a sensitivity of 88.1%, the specificity of 80.8%, positive predictive value of 88.1%, and negative predictive value of 80.8% for distinguishing malignant from benign nodes. The overall accuracy of elastography strain ratio was 85.3%. The strain ratio of malignant and benign lymph nodes positively correlated with the elastography grading score (r = 0.561, P = 0.000).Conclusions:EBUS elastography can be effectively used to predict mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastases in lung cancer. This noninvasive technique may thus complement standard EBUS and help guide EBUS-TBNA procedures.

The evaluation of the retrobulbar orbital fat tissue and optic nerve with strain ratio elastography.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of strain ratio elastography in the assessment of retrobulbar orbital fat tissue. The retrobulbar fat tissue of 14 eyes in 14 participants was scanned by sonoelastography. All the participants had permanent vision loss secondary to glaucoma in at least one eye. The elasticity scores were determined and the strain ratio was based on the comparison of the average strain measured in the retrobulbar fat tissue around the optic nerve at the same depth. The mean strain values for the optic nerve (B) and the retrobulbar fat tissue (A) were 0.78+/-0.61 and 1.43+/-0.99, respectively (p=0.005). The mean strain ratio (B/A) was 0.56+/-0.24. This preliminary study showed that by providing strain values and ratios of different orbital tissues sonoelastography may have a potential use in the diagnosis and follow-up of orbital inflammatory and infiltrative diseases.

Comparative study on the clinical value of the elastic grades score evaluation method and ultrasound elasticity imaging strain ratio method in identifying thyroid nodules

Objective To investigate and compare the clinical value of the elastic grades score evaluation method and ultrasound elasticity imaging strain ratio method in identifying thyroid nodules. Methods A total of 120 cases confirmed by operation and pathology of the patients with thyroid nodules in our hospital were underwent ultrasound elasticity imaging detection,the thyroid nodules were identified with the elastic grades score evaluation method and ultrasound elasticity imaging strain ratio method respectively, and were compared with pathological results separately. Results The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy rate were 79.4%,81.3%, 81% with the elastic grades score evaluation method, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rate were 91.2%, 90.3%,93.3% with ultrasound elasticity imaging strain ratio method, of which was significantly higher with ultrasound elasticity imaging strain ratio method than with the elastic grades score evaluation methodby statistical analysis(χ2= 28.170,P= 0.000;χ2= 34.219,P= 0.000;χ2= 17.928,P= 0.000). Conclusion Ultrasound elastography strain ratio and rating score evaluation method can be used as an effective method in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules, which can effectively improve the accuracy rate of the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules and effectively remedy the diagnostic error band to cognitive differences with traditional ultrasound evaluation. The method of ultrasound elastography strain rate ratio was better with advantages of easy to operate, easy to learn and master, and easily accepted by patients, which is worthy of clinical application. Key words: Ultrasonography; Elasticity imaging; Strain rate; Score evaluation method; Thyroid nodules

Usefulness of Real-Time Elastography Strain Ratio in the Assessment of Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Liver Injury and the Hepatoprotective Effect of Chitosan: An Experimental Animal Study

The purpose of the study described here was to evaluate the usefulness of the elastographic strain ratio in the assessment of liver changes in an experimental animal setting and the hepatoprotective effects of chitosan. Ultrasonography and Strain Ratio calculation were performed before and after bile duct ligation (BDL) in three groups of Wistar albino rats (n = 10 animals per group): (i) rats subjected to bile duct ligation only; (ii) rats subjected to bile duct ligation and administered chitosan for 14 d; (iii) rats subjected to bile duct ligation and administered chitosan for 7 d. The results were compared with the laboratory data and pathologic findings. Strain ratios revealed an increase in liver stiffness after bile duct ligation (p < 0.05), except in the group with chitosan administered for 7 d, and agreed with laboratory and pathology data. In conclusion, strain ratio can be used as an experimental research instrument in the assessment of liver response to injury. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting on the usefulness of the sonoelastographic liver-to-kidney strain ratio in assessing the effects of experimentally induced liver lesions.

Relación entre el valor del ratio elastográfico y la clasificación citológica de Bethesda en la patología tiroidea

ObjectivesWe present our experience in the categorization of thyroid pathology using the sonographic parameters of malignancy and elastography with measurement elastography strain ratio, to evaluate the relationship between the results found and the Bethesda classification. Materials and methodsProspective observational study, included 137 thyroid nodules studied between September 2012- April 2013. We excluded 10 cases with Bethesda categories III-IV. Ultrasonography, Doppler, Micropure, elastogrphy strain ratio between the lesion and the normal tissue, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC),were the diagnosis methods used. The pathologist was always present and the cytological classi fication of Bethesda was used. All study was made by the same physician used Toshiba Aplio 400 ultrasound unit. Results were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 20. ResultsWe studied 127 nodules in patients 59±16 years old, 82% were female; 120 were Bethesda II (94%). The average strain ratio for nodules Bethesda I-II was 1.94±2.12 vs. 7.07±5.46 for those nodules Bethesda V-VI (p:0,048). This means that an elastography strain ratio ≤ 2 (87 of 127 nodules) has a sensibility of 85.7% and a specificity of 81.7% of predicting Bethesda associated with benign pathology with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99% and a positive predictive value of 15%. ConclusionThe elastography strain ratio allowed to discard malignant nodules with strain ratio ≤ 2 with a NPV of 99% improves the selection of patients for FNAC. The increment in the elastography strain ratio was associated to a higher possibility of malignant thyroid pathology, being unable to determine a limit value due to the low amount of cases with nodules Bethesda V-VI.

Mo1168 EUS Elastography Strain Ratio of the Pancreatic Masses: Results Using Different Reference Area

Mo1168 EUS Elastography Strain Ratio of the Pancreatic Masses: Results Using Different Reference Area

Value of endoscopic ultrasound-guided elastography in distinguishing between malignant and benign nodes in oesophageal cancers

Objective To assess endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided elastography in the nodal staging of oesophageal cancers.Methods The 53 nodes were assessed in 50 patients with established oesophageal cancer undergoing EUS-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of lymph nodes between March 2011 and January 2013.EUS-guided elastography and standard EUS of lymph nodes were performed before EUS-FNAB.Cytological determination of whether a lymph node was malignant or benign was used as the gold standard for this study.Comparisons of elastography and standard EUS characteristics and accuracy in differentiating between benign and malignant lymph nodes were made.Results Elastography was more sensitive and specific in determining malignant nodal disease than standard EUS criteria.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value for distinguishing between malignant and benign nodes were 83％,96％,95％,and 86％,respectively.The overall accuracy of elastography strain ratio was 90％.Conclusion EUS-guided elastography is superior in differentiating between benign and malignant lymph nodes to standard EUS characterisations,also appears complementary to current staging investigations and has the potential to improve the staging and management of this disease. Key words: Endoscopic ultrasound ; Elastography ; Oesophageal cancer; Lymph nodes

Correlational study between ultrasonic elastography strain ratio and serum thyroid stimulating hormone on patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Objective To investigate the value of strain ratio (SR) in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.Methods 116 patients who had been diagnosed clinically as Hashimoto' s thyroiditis were enrolled in the study.Those patients were classified into four groups:the hyperthyroidism group,the euthyroidism group,the subclinical hypothyroidism group,and the clinical hypothyroidism group.50volunteers with normal thyroid functions were enrolled as a control group.SR of the thyroid and sternocleidomastoid muscle of same side was calculated.The correlation coefficient between the elasiticity SR and the serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was evaluated and their differences in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis were compared.Results The Spearman's correlation coefficient between the SR and the serum TSH was 0.605,which was significant (P =0.000).The SR increased in an ascending order among the group with hyperthyroidism,the control group,the group with euthyroidism,the group with subclinical hypothyroidism,and the group with clinical hypothyroidism.Conclusions Elastography SR is valuable way for evaluating the progression of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Key words: Ultrasonography; Hashimoto Disease; Strain ratio

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided elastography in the nodal staging of oesophageal cancer

To assess quantitative endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided elastography in the nodal staging of oesophago-gastric cancers. This was a single tertiary centre study assessing 50 patients with established oesophago-gastric cancer undergoing EUS-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of lymph nodes between July 2007 and July 2009. EUS-guided elastography of lymph nodes was performed before EUS-FNAB. Standard EUS characteristics were also described. Cytological determination of whether a lymph node was malignant or benign was used as the gold standard for this study. Comparisons of elastography and standard EUS characteristics were made between the cytologically benign and malignant nodes. The main outcome measure was the accuracy of elastography in differentiating between benign and malignant lymph nodes in oesophageal cancers. EUS elastography and FNAB were performed on 53 lymph nodes. Cytological malignancy was found in 23 nodes, one was indeterminate, one was found to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumor and 25 of the nodes were negative for malignancy. On 3 occasions insufficient material was obtained for analysis. The area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve for elastography strain ratio was 0.87 (P < 0.0001). Elastography strain ratio had a sensitivity 83%, specificity 96%, positive predictive value 95%, and negative predictive value 86% for distinguishing between malignant and benign nodes. The overall accuracy of elastography strain ratio was 90%. Elastography was more sensitive and specific in determining malignant nodal disease than standard EUS criteria. EUS elastography is a promising modality that may complement standard EUS and help guide EUS-FNAB during staging of upper gastrointestinal tract cancer.