Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with elastography in evaluating cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND Cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) affects the treatment and prognosis of patients. Ultrasound is a common imaging method for detecting cervical lymph nodes in PTC patients; however, it is not accurate in determining lymph node metastasis.AIM To evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with elastography in evaluating cervical lymph node metastasis in PTC.METHODS A total of 94 patients with PTC were recruited. According to pathological results,lymph nodes were divided into two groups: metastatic group(n = 50) and reactive group(n = 63). The routine ultrasound findings, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and elastography data were recorded and compared. Logistic regression was used to generate predictive probability distributions for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis with different indicators. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to test the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with elastography based on routine ultrasound in evaluating PTC cervical lymph node metastasis.RESULTS The ratio of long diameter/short diameter(L/S) ≤ 2, irregular marginal morphology, missing lymphatic portal, peripheral or mixed blood flow distribution, peak intensity(PI), non-uniform contrast distribution and elasticity score in the metastatic group were significantly higher than those in the reactive group(P < 0.05). L/S ratio, missing lymphatic portal, PI and elasticity score had a significant influence on the occurrence of PTC cervical lymph node metastasis(P< 0.05). Furthermore, the area under the curve(AUC) for lymph node metastasis diagnosed using the combination of PI ratio, elasticity score, missing lymphatic portal and LS was 0.936, which was significantly higher than the AUC for PI ratio alone. The difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05). The fitting equation for the combined diagnosis was logit(P) =-12.341 + 1.482 × L/S ratio + 3.529 ×missing lymphatic portal + 0.392 × PI + 3.288 × elasticity score.CONCLUSION Based on the gray-scale ultrasound, the combination of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and elastography can accurately assess PTC cervical lymph node metastasis.

Comparative analysis of conventional ultrasound and shear wave elastography features in primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND Primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(PB-DLBCL)is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that accounts for<3%of extranodal lymphomas and 1%of breast tumors.Its diagnosis and management are challenging because of its rarity,heterogeneity,and aggressive behavior.Conventional ultrasound(US)is the first-line imaging modality for breast lesions;however,it has limited specificity and accuracy for PB-DLBCL.Shear wave elastography(SWE)is a novel US technique that measures tissue stiffness and may reflect the histological characteristics and biological behavior of breast lesions.AIM To compare the conventional US and SWE features of PB-DLBCL and evaluate their diagnostic performance and prognostic value.METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data and US images of 32 patients with pathologically confirmed PB-DLBCL who underwent conventional US and SWE before treatment.We analyzed conventional US features(shape,margin,orientation,echo,posterior acoustic features,calcification,and vascularity)and SWE features(mean elasticity value,standard deviation,minimum elasticity value,maximum elasticity value,and lesion-to-fat ratio)of the PB-DLBCL lesions.Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis,we determined the optimal cutoff values and diagnostic performance of conventional US and SWE features.We also performed a survival analysis to assess the prognostic value of conventional US and SWE features.RESULTS The results showed that the PB-DLBCL lesions were mostly irregular in shape(84.4%),microlobulated or spiculated in margins(75%),parallel in orientation(65.6%),hypoechoic in echo(87.5%),and had posterior acoustic enhancement(65.6%).Calcification was rare(6.3%)and vascularity was variable(31.3%avascular,37.5%hypovascular,and 31.3%hypervascular).The mean elasticity value of PB-DLBCL lesions was significantly higher than that of benign breast lesions(113.4±46.9 kPa vs 27.8±16.4 kPa,P<0.001).The optimal cutoff value of the mean elasticity for distinguishing PB-DLBCL from benign breast lesions was 54.5 kPa,with a sensitivity of 93.8%,specificity of 92.9%,positive predictive value of 93.8%,negative predictive value of 92.9%,and accuracy of 93.3%.The mean elasticity value was also significantly correlated with Ki-67 expression level(r=0.612,P<0.001),which is a marker of tumor proliferation and aggressiveness.Survival analysis showed that patients with higher mean elasticity values(>54.5 kPa)had worse overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)than those with lower mean elasticity values(<54.5 kPa)(P=0.038 for OS and P=0.027 for PFS).CONCLUSION Conventional US and SWE provide useful information for diagnosing and forecasting PB-DLBCL.SWE excels in distinguishing PB-DLBCL from benign breast lesions,reflects tumor proliferation and aggressiveness,and improves disease management.

Value of ultrasound elastography in detecting small breast tumors

Background Detecting small breast tumors is difficult for conventional ultrasound. The goal of this study was to assess the value of ultrasound elastography in characterizing small breast tumors and to compare its sensitivity, specificity and accuracy with conventional ultrasound. Methods A total of 308 breast tumors less than 2 cm in size from 283 in-hospital patients examined with both conventional ultrasound and ultrasound elastography were retrospectively analyzed. The results were compared to surgical pathology. Results There were 104 malignant and 204 benign lesions. The sensitivities of sonography and sonoelastography were similar （P 〈0.05）, and the sensitivity of the two modalities combined improved remarkably to 97.1%. The mean elastic score of malignant and benign tumors less than 2 cm were 3.76±1.01 and 1.73±0.99, respectively （P 〈0.05）, and the mean elastic score of the false-negative lesions on conventional ultrasound was 3.61±1.14. Conclusions Ultrasound elastography in combination with conventional ultrasound can improve the sensitivity for detecting small breast tumors. It is also valuable in detecting small malignant tumors which are difficult to diagnose with conventional ultrasound. Ultrasound elastography can be a useful adjunct to conventional ultrasound in diagnosing small breast tumors.

Evaluation of internal and shell stiffness in the differential diagnosis of breast non-mass lesions by shear wave elastography

BACKGROUND The diagnostic specificity of conventional ultrasound for breast non-mass lesions(NMLs)is low at approximately 21%-43%.Shear wave elastography(SWE)can distinguish benign from malignant lesions by evaluating the internal and peripheral stiffness.SWE has good reproducibility and high diagnostic efficacy.However,there are very few independent studies on the diagnostic value of SWE in breast NMLs.AIM To determine the value of SWE in the differential diagnosis of breast NMLs.METHODS This study enrolled a total of 118 patients with breast NMLs who underwent SWE examinations in the Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University and The Second Hospital of Shandong University from January 2019 to January 2020.The internal elastic parameters of the lesions were recorded,including maximum(Emax),mean(Emean)and minimum elastic values and the standard deviation.The following peripheral parameters were noted:Presence of a“stiff rim”sign;Emax,and Emean elasticity values within 1 mm,1.5 mm,2 mm,2.5 mm and 3 mm from the edge of NMLs.The receiver operating characteristic curve of each parameter was drawn,and the areas under the curve were calculated.RESULTS Emax,Emean and elastic values,and the standard deviation of the internal elastic values in malignant NMLs were significantly higher than those in benign NMLs(P<0.05).The percentage with the“stiff rim”sign in malignant NMLs was significantly higher than that in the benign group(P<0.05),and Emax and Emean at the shell of 1 mm,1.5 mm,2 mm,2.5 mm and 3 mm in the malignant group were all higher than those in the benign group(P<0.05).Of the surrounding elasticity values,Emax of the shell at 2.5 mm in malignant NMLs had maximum areas under the curve of 0.900,and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 94.57%and 85.86%,respectively.CONCLUSION The“stiff rim”sign and multiple quantitative elastic values within and around the lesion had good diagnostic performance in the differential diagnosis of breast NMLs.Emax in peripheral tissue had better diagnostic efficiency than other parameters.

Contrast-enhanced 3D ultrasound in the radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors

Liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinomas are two of the most common causes of cancer deaths in the world.Radiofrequency ablation(RFA) is a well recognized,effective and minimally invasive means of treating malignant hepatic tumors.This article describes the use of contrast-enhanced 3D ultrasound(CE-3DUS) in the staging,targeting and follow-up of patients with liver tumors undergoing RFA.In particular,its value in the management of large hepatic lesions will be illustrated.Current limitations of CE-3DUS and future developments in the technique will also be discussed.In summary,CE-3DUS is useful in the RFA of liver tumors with improved detection and display of occult lesions and recurrence,in the assessment of lesional geometry and orientation for a more accurate planning and guidance of multiple RFA needle electrodes in large tumors and in the evaluation of residual or recurrent disease within the immediate and/or subsequent follow-up periods.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound improved performance of breast imaging reporting and data system evaluation of critical breast lesions

AIM: To determine whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) can improve the precision of breast imaging reporting and data system(BI-RADS) categorization. METHODS: A total of 230 patients with 235 solid breast lesions classified as BI-RADS 4 on conventional ultrasound were evaluated. CEUS was performed within one week before core needle biopsy or surgical resection and a revised BI-RADS classification was assigned based on 10 CEUS imaging characteristics. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was then conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CEUS-based BI-RADS assignment with pathological examination as reference criteria. RESULTS: The CEUS-based BI-RADS evaluation classified 116/235(49.36%) lesions into category 3, 20(8.51%), 13(5.53%) and 12(5.11%) lesions into categories 4A, 4B and 4C, respectively, and 74(31.49%) into category 5. Selecting CEUS-based BI-RADS category 4A as an appropriate cut-off gave sensitivity and specificity values of 85.4% and 87.8%, respectively, for the diagnosisof malignant disease. The cancer-to-biopsy yield was 73.11% with CEUS-based BI-RADS 4A selected as the biopsy threshold compared with 40.85% otherwise, while the biopsy rate was only 42.13% compared with 100% otherwise. Overall, only 4.68% of invasive cancers were misdiagnosed.CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that evaluation of BI-RADS 4 breast lesions with CEUS results in reduced biopsy rates and increased cancer-to-biopsy yields.

Predictive model for contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the breast: Is it feasible in malignant risk assessment of breast imaging reporting and data system 4 lesions?

AIM: To build and evaluate predictive models for contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) of the breast to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. METHODS: A total of 235 breast imaging reporting and data system(BI-RADS) 4 solid breast lesions were imaged via CEUS before core needle biopsy or surgical resection. CEUS results were analyzed on 10 enhancing patterns to evaluate diagnostic performance of three benign and three malignant CEUS models, with pathological results used as the gold standard. A logistic regression model was developed basing on the CEUS results, and then evaluated with receiver operating curve(ROC). RESULTS: Except in cases of enhanced homogeneity, the rest of the 9 enhancement appearances were statistically significant(P < 0.05). These 9 enhancement patterns were selected in the final step of the logistic regression analysis, with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 84.4% and 82.7%, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve of 0.911. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the malignant vs benign CEUS models were 84.38%, 87.77%, 86.38% and 86.46%, 81.29% and 83.40%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The breast CEUS models can predict risk of malignant breast lesions more accurately, decrease false-positive biopsy, and provide accurate BIRADS classification.

Diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and enhanced magnetic resonance for breast nodules

In the current study, we sought to evaluate the diagnostic efficacies of conventional ultrasound（US）, contrastenhanced US（CEUS）, combined US and CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging（MRI） in detecting focal solid breast lesions. Totally 117 patients with 120 BI-RADS category 4A-5 breast lesions were evaluated by conventional US and CEUS, and MRI, respectively. SonoVue was used as contrast agent in CEUS and injected as an intravenous bolus; nodule scan was performed 4 minutes after bolus injection. A specific sonographic quantification software was used to obtain color-coded maps of perfusion parameters for the investigated lesion, namely the time-intensity curve.The pattern of contrast enhancement and related indexes regarding the time-intensity curve were used to describe the lesions, comparatively with pathological results. Histopathologic examination revealed 46 benign and 74 malignant lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of US in detecting malignant breast lesions were 90.14%, 95.92%, and 92.52%, respectively. Meanwhile, CE-MRI showed sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 88.73%, 95.92%, and91.67%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for combined US and CEUS in discriminating benign from malignant breast lesions was 0.936, while that of MRI was 0.923, with no significant difference between them, as well as among groups. The time-intensity curve of malignant hypervascular fibroadenoma and papillary lesions mostly showed a fast-in/fast-out pattern, with no good correlation between them（kappa 〈0.20）. In conclusion, the combined use of conventional US and CEUS displays good agreement with MRI in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions.

Application Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Breast Lesions

Objective:To explore the value and effect of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast lesions.Methods:Seventy-two patients with breast lesions in Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital from June 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the research subjects.All 72 patients met the diagnostic criteria of breast lesions.Two patients with incomplete clinical data were excluded;hence,there were 70 patients remaining.The diagnostic results of the two examination methods and the diagnostic value of the joint examination for breast lesions were analyzed and compared.Results:The results of benign,malignant,missed,and misdiagnosed breast lesions by contrast-enhanced ultrasound were 31,32,6,and 1 cases,respectively,accounting for 44.29%,45.71%,8.57%,and 1.43%,respectively.The results of benign,malignant,missed,and misdiagnosed breast lesions by ultrasound automatic volume imaging were 21,24,17,and 8 cases,respectively,accounting for 30.00%,34.28%,24.29%,and 11.43%,respectively.There were statistical differences between the two groups for missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis,but there was no significant difference between the two groups for benign and malignant lesions.The accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound were 87.69%,83.62%,and 83.45%,respectively;the accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity of ultrasound automatic volume imaging were 71.39%,68.99%,and 74.69%,respectively;the accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with ultrasound automatic volume imaging were 96.29%,92.68%,and 91.78%,respectively.Conclusion:Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography has a high clinical application value and a low inspection error rate in the diagnosis of breast lesions.It merits clinical advancement since it helps doctors diagnose and treat breast lesions more effectively.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography parameters in neural network diagnosis of liver tumors

AIM:To study the role of time-intensity curve(TIC) analysis parameters in a complex system of neural networks designed to classify liver tumors.METHODS:We prospectively included 112 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)(n = 41),hypervascular(n = 20) and hypovascular(n = 12) liver metastases,hepatic hemangiomas(n = 16) or focal fatty changes(n = 23) who underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,Craiova,Romania.We recorded full length movies of all contrast uptake phases and post-processed them offline by selecting two areas of interest(one for the tumor and one for the healthy surrounding parenchyma) and consecutive TIC analysis.The difference in maximum intensities,the time to reaching them and the aspect of the late/portal phase,as quantified by the neural network and a ratio between median intensities of the central and peripheral areas were analyzed by a feed forward back propagation multi-layer neural network which was trained to classify data into five distinct classes,corresponding to each type of liver lesion.RESULTS:The neural network had 94.45% training accuracy(95% CI:89.31%-97.21%) and 87.12% testing accuracy(95% CI:86.83%-93.17%).The automatic classification process registered 93.2% sensitivity,89.7% specificity,94.42% positive predictive value and 87.57% negative predictive value.The artificial neural networks(ANN) incorrectly classified as hemangyomas three HCC cases and two hypervascular metastases,while in turn misclassifying four liver hemangyomas as HCC(one case) and hypervascular metastases(three cases).Comparatively,human interpretation of TICs showed 94.1% sensitivity,90.7% specificity,95.11% positive predictive value and 88.89% negative predictive value.The accuracy and specificity of the ANN diagnosis system was similar to that of human interpretation of the TICs(P = 0.225 and P = 0.451,respectively).Hepatocellular carcinoma cases showed contrast uptake during the arterial phase followed by wash-out in the portal and first seconds of the late phases.For the hypovascular metastases did not show significant contrast uptake during the arterial phase,which resulted in negative differences between the maximum intensities.We registered wash-out in the late phase for most of the hypervascular metastases.Liver hemangiomas had contrast uptake in the arterial phase without agent wash-out in the portallate phases.The focal fatty changes did not show any differences from surrounding liver parenchyma,resulting in similar TIC patterns and extracted parameters.CONCLUSION:Neural network analysis of contrastenhanced ultrasonography-obtained TICs seems a promising field of development for future techniques,providing fast and reliable diagnostic aid for the clinician.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of histologically proven hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

AIM: To analyze contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) features of histologically proven hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma(HEHE) in comparison to other multilocular benign focal liver lesions(FLL).METHODS: Twenty-five patients with histologically proven HEHE and 45 patients with histologically proven multilocular benign FLL were retrospectively reviewed. Four radiologists assessed the CEUS enhancement pattern in consensus.RESULTS: HEHE manifested as a single(n = 3) or multinodular(n = 22) FLL. On CEUS, HEHE showed rim-like(18/25, 72%) or heterogeneous hyperenhancement(7/25, 28%) in the arterial phase and hypoenhancement(25/25, 100%) in the portal venous and late phases(PVLP), a sign of malignancy. Eighteen patients showed central unenhanced areas(18/25, 72%); in seven patients(7/25, 28%), more lesions were detected in the PVLP. In contrast, all patients with hemangioma and focal nodular hyperplasia showed hyperenhancement as the most distinctive feature(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: CEUS allows for characterization of unequivocal FLL. By analyzing the hypoenhancement in the PVLP, CEUS can determine the malignant nature of HEHE.

Analysis of B-ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound characteristics of different hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm

BACKGROUND Hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm(hNEN) is a highly heterogeneous tumor. The exact identification of the source and malignant degree of hNEN is important.However, there is a lack of information regarding diagnosis of hNEN with imaging. In addition, no studies have compared the imaging between hNEN and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and among different sources and malignant degrees of hNEN.AIM To compare the ultrasound characteristics between hNEN and HCC and among different sources and malignant degrees of hNEN.METHODS A total of 55 patients with hNEN were recruited and defined as the hNEN group.Among them, 35 cases of hNET were defined as the hNET group. Twenty cases of hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma(hNEC) were defined as the hNEC group.Among the 55 lesions, 29 were transferred from the pancreas, 20 were from the gastrointestinal tract, and six were from other sites. In total, 55 patients with HCC were recruited and defined as the HCC group. The characteristic differences of Bmode ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) between hNEN and HCC and among different sources and malignant degrees of hNEN were compared.RESULTS In the hNEN group, the proportions of multiple liver lesions, unclear borders,and high echo lesions were higher than those in the HCC group. The proportions of non-uniform echo and peripheral acoustic halo were lower than those in the HCC group(P < 0.05). The washout to iso-enhancement time and washout to hypo-enhancement time were lower than those in the HCC group(P < 0.05). The characteristics of B-ultrasound and CEUS among different sources of hNEN were similar, and the differences were not statistically significant(P > 0.05). B-mode ultrasound characteristics of hNET and hNEC were similar. The proportions of low enhancement at portal venous phase, non-uniform enhancement forms, and combined tumor vasculature in the hNEC group were larger than those in the hNEN group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION Compared with HCC, hNEN showed multiple intrahepatic lesions, uniform high echo, uniform high enhancement at arterial phase, and rapid washout. Low enhancement at portal venous phase, overall non-uniform enhancement form,and the proportion of combined tumor vasculature in hNEC were larger than those in hNET.

Potential application of ultrasound-guided thermal ablation in rare liver tumors

Background: With the advances of imaging techniques, the detection rate of rare liver tumor is increased. However, the therapeutic strategies of the rare liver tumors remain limited. Methods: We analyzed twelve pathologically confirmed rare liver tumors in 8 patients. All of the patients underwent ultrasound(US) guided biopsy and subsequent thermal ablation. The tumors were ablated according to the preoperative plans and monitored by real-time US. CT/MRI fused with contrast enhanced US(CEUS) or three-dimensional(3 D) US-CEUS images were used to guide and assess the ablation zone more accurately during thermal ablation. The rate of technical efficacy was assessed based on the contrast-enhance CT/MRI(CECT/MRI) results one month after ablation. Local tumor progression(LTP), recurrence and complications were followed up and recorded. Results: Among these twelve nodules, nine were subject to US-guided thermal ablation, whereas the other three inconspicuous nodules were subject to CEUS-guided thermal ablation. Intra-procedure CT/MRI-CEUS or 3 D US-CEUS fusion imaging assessments demonstrated that the ablation zone sufficiently covered the original tumor, and no immediate supplementary ablation was required. Additionally, no major complications were observed during the follow-up period. The postoperative CECT/MRI confirmed that the technique success rate was 100%. Within the surveillance period of 13 months, no LTP or recurrence was noted. Conclusions: US-guided thermal ablation was feasible and safe for rare liver tumors. The use of fusion imaging technique might make US-guided thermal ablation as effective as surgical resection, and this technique might serve as a potential therapeutic modality for rare liver tumors in the future.

Correlation between dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and histopathology in the measurement of tumor and breast volume and their ratio in breast cancer patients： a prospective study

Background Earlier studies have examined the association between the diameter of primary tumors measured by magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） and histopathology in breast cancer patients. However, the diameter does not completely describe the dimensions of the breast tumor or its volumetric proportion relative to the whole breast. The association between breast tumor volume/breast volume ratios measured by these two techniques has not been reported.

Advances in endoscopic ultrasound imaging of colorectaldiseases

The development of endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) has had a significant impact for patients with digestive diseases, enabling enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, with most of the available evidence focusing on upper gastrointestinal(GI) and pancreaticobiliary diseases. For the lower GI tract the main application of EUS has been in staging rectal cancer, as a complementary technique to other cross-sectional imaging methods. EUS can provide highly accurate indepth assessments of tumour infiltration, performing best in the diagnosis of early rectal tumours. In the light of recent developments other EUS applications for colorectal diseases have been also envisaged and are currently under investigation, including beyond-rectum tumour staging by means of the newly developed forward-viewing radial array echoendoscope. Due to its high resolution, EUS might be also regarded as an ideal method for the evaluation of subepithelial lesions. Their differential diagnosis is possible by imaging the originating wall layer and the associated echostructure, and cytological and histological confirmation can be obtained through EUS-guided fine needle aspiration or trucut biopsy. However, reports on the use of EUS in colorectal subepithelial lesions are currently limited. EUS allows detailed examination of perirectal and perianal complications in Crohn's disease and, as a safe and less expensive investigation, can be used to monitor therapeutic response of fistulae, which seems to improve outcomes and reduce the need for additional surgery. Furthermore, EUS image enhancement techniques, such as the use of contrast agents or elastography, have recently been evaluated for colorectal indications as well. Possible applications of contrast enhancement include the assessment of tumour angiogenesis in colorectal cancer, the monitoring of disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease based on quantification of bowel wall vascularization, and differentiating between benign and malignant subepithelial tumours. Recent reports suggest that EUS elastography enables highly accurate discrimination of colorectal adenocarcinomas from adenomas, while inflammatory bowel disease phenotypes can be distinguished based on the strain ratio calculation. Among EUS-guided therapies, the drainage of abdominal and pelvic collections has been regarded as a safe and effective procedure to be used as an alternative for the transcutaneous route, while the placing of fiducial markers under EUS guidance for targeted radiotherapy in rectal cancer or the use of contrast microbubbles as drug-delivery vehicles represent experimental therapeutic applications that could greatly impact the forthcoming management of patients with colorectal diseases, pending on further investigations.

New endoscopic ultrasound techniques for digestive tract diseases: A comprehensive review

Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) is one of the most important modalities for the diagnosis of digestive tract diseases.EUS has been evolving ever since it was introduced.New techniques such as elastography and contrast enhancement have emerged, increasing the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of EUS for the diagnosis of digestive tract diseases including pancreatic masses and lymphadenopathy.EUS-elastography evaluates tissue elasticity and therefore, can be used to differentiate various lesions.Contrast-enhanced EUS can distinguish benign from malignant pancreatic lesions and lymphadenopathy using the intravenous injection of contrast agents.This review discusses the principles and types of these new techniques, as well as their clinical applications and limitations.

Endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis

Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) has become a well accepted test for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.Advantages include its ability to detect subtle and severe changes of the pancreatic duct and parenchyma,and its relative safety compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.Limitations include inter-and intraobserver variability,operator dependence,and an incomplete understanding of its true accuracy.The Rosemont classif ication has recently been proposed as a weighted,standardized method that may improve EUS chronic pancreatitis scoring.This paper reviews the published evidence regarding the accuracy of EUS in chronic pancreatitis diagnosis,and enumerates the emerging technologies that have been recently studied which may ultimately improve endosonographic imaging of the pancreas.

超声造影与DCE-MRI对乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗的评估价值

目的探究超声造影(CEUS)与动态增强磁共振成像(DCE-MRI)对乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗(NAC)的评估价值。方法选取2020年1月~2023年1月于我院接受NAC的乳腺癌患者68例,对所有入选患者NAC治疗后行CEUS、DCE-MRI检查,以手术病理结果为金标准,将治疗后患者分为有效组与无效组,比较CEUS、DCE-MRI以及两者联合对乳腺癌患者NAC疗效的评估价值,对比有效组与无效组CEUS、DCEMRI检查的参数水平。结果68例乳腺癌患者NAC后,经手术病理诊断发现49例有效,19例无效。采用CEUS检查评估NAC疗效的敏感性、特异性及准确性分别为81.63%、68.42%、67.65%,经手术病理评估为有效患者的峰值强度(PI)、曲线下面积(AUC)水平低于无效患者(P<0.05);采用DCE-MRI检查时的敏感性、特异性及准确性分别为83.67%、73.68%、67.65%,经手术病理评估为有效患者的容量转移常数(K^(trans))、速率常数(K_(ep))均低于无效患者(P<0.05)。CEUS联合DCE-MRI评估NAC疗效的敏感性及准确性分别为97.96%、94.83%,均显著高于单一检查方法(P<0.05)。结论CEUS联合DCE-MRI能提高对乳腺癌患者NAC疗效的评估价值,其敏感性及准确性较高,值得推广。

超声造影鉴别诊断肉芽肿性小叶性乳腺炎和乳腺癌的临床价值

目的 探讨超声造影对肉芽肿性小叶性乳腺炎(GLM)和乳腺癌鉴别诊断的临床价值。方法 选取本院诊断治疗的GLM和乳腺癌患者80例,分为GLM组(42例)和乳腺癌组(38例)。超声造影后观察造影剂状况,评估病灶直径、形态及边缘、微小钙化、回声、内部血流、血管阻力指数(RI)、腋窝淋巴结异常等。结果 GLM病变累及范围及程度不同,超声造影图像特征多样,24例实性肿块,内部呈低回声,呈假肾征。10例弥散型形态不规则、边界不清、后方回声增强。8例管状型,病灶组织及周边出现不规则低回声结构,部分患者合并腋窝淋巴结肿大。GLM组病灶造影剂早期进入时间、高增强、造影剂分布不均匀百分比为28.57%、11.90%和23.81%,低于乳腺癌组52.63%、68.42%和76.32%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。GLM组病灶最大直径为(6.13±0.81)mm,高于乳腺癌组(3.58±0.74)mm,GLM组病灶边缘毛刺或成角百分比26.19%,低于乳腺癌组81.58%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。GLM组微小钙化、内部血流(Ⅱ+Ⅲ级)、RI≥7等百分比分别为9.52%、52.38%、21.43%、23.81%、16.67%,低于乳腺癌组76.32%、63.16%、81.58%、68.42%、88.95%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 超声造影可通过评估病灶边缘形态、钙化、回声及血供等特点,在GLM与乳腺癌的鉴别诊断显示出一定优势。

动态增强MRI定量参数及肿瘤标记物对乳腺癌新辅助化疗疗效的评估价值分析

目的:探索动态增强磁共振成像(DCE-MRI)定量参数及肿瘤标记物对乳腺癌新辅助化疗疗效的评估价值。方法:选取2019年5月至2022年5月在济宁市第一人民医院接受新辅助化疗联合手术干预的75例乳腺癌患者,根据实体瘤疗效评价标准(RECIST)将其分为有效组(54例)和无效组(21例),比较化疗前和化疗后两组患者DCE-MRI定量参数血管外细胞外间隙容积比(V_(e))、速率常数(K_(ep))及容积转换常数(K^(trans))指标与肿瘤标志物癌胚抗原(CEA)、糖类抗原(CA125)及糖类抗原15-3(CA15-3)水平,采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析各项诊断方式预测效能。结果:化疗后,有效组患者DCEMRI定量参数Ve、K_(ep)及K^(trans)与无效组比较,差异有统计学意义(t=7.237、51.695、16.879,P<0.05)。有效组患者肿瘤标志物CEA、CA125及CA15-3与无效组比较,差异有统计学意义(t=44.201、6.736、6.885,P<0.05)。V_(e)、K_(ep)、K^(trans)、CEA、CA125及CA15-3的6项指标联合预测乳腺癌新辅助化疗疗效ROC曲线下面积(AUC)值为0.979,显著高于各项指标单独检测的AUC值,差异有统计学意义(Z=2.993、2.679、2.510、2.731、3.215、3.071,P<0.05)。结论:肿瘤标记物联合DCE-MRI定量参数可更好预测乳腺癌新辅助化疗疗效情况,间接评估预后。