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 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.

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 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.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound:Improving the preoperative staging of hepatocellular carcinoma and guiding individual treatment

AIM:To investigate the clinical role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) combined with contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CE-CT) or magnetic resonance imaging to improve the preoperative staging of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and guide surgical decisionmaking.METHODS:Sixty-nine patients who underwent liver resection for HCC in our center were enrolled prospectively in the study.CEUS and CE-CT/MRI were performed before surgery.Intraoperative ultrasound(IOUS)wascarried out after liver mobilization.Lesions depicted by each imaging modality were counted and mapped.To investigate the impact of tumor size on the study,we divided the patients into two groups,the"Smaller group"(S-group,≤5 cm in diameter)and the"Largergroup"(L-group,>5 cm in diameter).The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of CE-CT/MRI,CEUS,IOUS,CEUS+CE-CT/MRI and the tumor node metastasis staging of tumors were calculated and compared.Changes in the surgical strategy as a result of CEUS and IOUS were analyzed.RESULTS:One hundred and twenty-seven nodules,comprising 94 HCCs confirmed by histopathology and33 benign lesions confirmed by histopathology and follow-up,were identified in 69 patients.The overall diagnostic sensitivity rates of CE-CT/MRI,CEUS,IOUS and CEUS+CE-CT/MRI were 78.7%,89.4%,89.4%and 89.4%,respectively.There was a significant difference between CEUS+CE-CT/MRI and CE-CT/MRI(P=0.046).Combining CEUS with CT or MRI increased,the diagnostic specificity compared with CT/MRI,CEUS and IOUS,and this difference was statistically significant(100%,72.7%,97.0%,and 69.7%,P=0.004,P=0.002,P=0.002,respectively).The diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher for CEUS+CT/MRI compared with CT/MRI(92.1%vs 77.2%,P=0.001).The TNM staging of tumors based on CEUS+CE-CT/MRI approximated to the final pathological TNM staging(P=0.977).There was a significant difference in the accuracy of TNM staging when comparing CEUS+CECT/MRI with CE-CT/MRI(P=0.002).Before surgery,strategies were changed in 15.9%(11/69)of patients as a result of CEUS.Finally,only 5.7%(4/69)of surgical strategies were changed because of IOUS findings.In the S-group,CEUS revealed 12 false positive lesions,including seven false positive lesions that were diagnosedby preoperative imaging examinations and five by IOUS.In contrast,in the L-group,IUOS revealed eight new malignant lesions;six of these lesions were true HCCs that were also identified by preoperative CEUS.CONCLUSION:CEUS combined with CT or MRI improves the accuracy of preoperative staging for hepatocellular carcinoma and may help to guide individualized treatment for patients with HCC.CEUS may better identify non-malignant lesions in patients with small tumors and discover new malignant lesions in patients with large tumors.

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.

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.

Assessment of hepatic VX_2 tumors with combined percutaneous transhepatic lymphosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of per-cutaneous transhepatic lymphosonography (PTL) as a novel method for the detection of tumor lymphan-giogenesis in hepatic VX2 of rabbits and to evaluate combined PTL and routine contrast-enhanced ultraso-nographic imaging for the diagnosis of liver cancer. METHODS: Ten rabbits with VX2 tumor were included in this study. SonoVue (0.1 mL/kg) was injected into each rabbit via an ear vein for contrast-enhanced ul-trasonographic imaging,and 0.5 mL SonoVue was injected into the normal liver parenchyma near the VX2 tumor for PTL. Images and/or movie clips were stored for further analysis. RESULTS: Ultrasonographic imaging showed VX2 tumors ranging 5-19 mm in the liver of rabbits. The VX2 tumor was hyperechoic and hypoechoic to liver parenchyma at the early and later phase,respectively. The hepatic lymph vessels were visualized immediately after injection of contrast medium and continuously vi-sualized with SonoVue during PTL. The boundaries of VX2 tumors were hyperechoic to liver parenchyma and the tumors. There was a signifi cant difference in the values for the boundaries of VX2 tumors after injection compared with the liver normal parenchyma and the tumor parenchyma during PTL.CONCLUSION: PTL is a novel method for the detec-tion of tumor lymphangiogenesis in hepatic VX2 of rabbits. Combined PTL and contrast-enhanced ultraso-nographic imaging can improve the diagnosis of liver cancer.

Arterial-phase contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for evaluating anti-angiogenesis treatment: A pilot study

AIM:To verify whether arterial-phase contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) of tumor parenchymal tissue is useful for evaluation of anti-angiogenesis agents.METHODS:Rabbits with liver tumor were subjected to CEUS,and images of the nodular maximal diameter in vascular phase were recorded.Image analysis was performed to plot the time intensity curve(TIC) at the tumor parenchyma,which set the diameter of the region of interest of intensity measurement.The TIC was calculated to obtain the time to peak intensity(TPI) and the magnitude of PI.Rabbits were randomly assigned to a treatment group with sorafenib and a control group.Two weeks later,the same ultrasound examination was repeated followed by pathological testing to assess the effect of sorafenib on the liver tumor.RESULTS:In four rabbits in the treatment group,the rate of change of tumor size was decreased comparedwith that of the control(the rate 2.3 vs 7.9,P = 0.02).The TPI of the treatment group elongated significantly(the rate 3.1 vs 1.1,P = 0.07 for SonoVue,2.0 vs 0.88,P = 0.09 for Sonazoid).The magnitude of PI showed no significant changes.In pathological examination,capillary diameters in the treatment group were significantly smaller than those in the control group(26.4 vs 42.8 μm,P = 0.013).CONCLUSION:Analysis of the TIC in the arterial phase of tumor tissue could evaluate the efficacy of antiangiogenesis drug treatment in liver tumor.

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.

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。

多模态超声对浸润性乳腺癌新辅助化疗后腋窝淋巴结病理完全缓解的预测价值

目的探讨多模态超声对浸润性乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗(NAC)后转移性腋窝淋巴结病理完全缓解(pCR)的预测价值。方法选取行腋窝淋巴结常规超声、经皮超声造影(pCEUS)和剪切波弹性成像(SWE)检查的NAC前临床N 1期乳腺癌患者148例,其中训练集112例,测试集36例。以腋窝淋巴结清扫术后病理结果为“金标准”,分为腋窝淋巴结pCR组和腋窝淋巴结病理未完全缓解(npCR)组,比较2组乳腺癌患者原发灶T分期、分子分型、腋窝淋巴结短径、长径/短径比、淋巴门结构、实质厚度、实质回声、边界、彩色多普勒超声(CDFI)血流类型、淋巴结造影增强模式、淋巴管连续性、淋巴结平均弹性模量(E mean)、最大弹性模量(E_(max))、最小弹性模量(E _(min))、标准差(SD)和弹性模量比值比(E _(ratio))等相关因素的差异,筛选出与腋窝淋巴结pCR相关的独立影响因素,构建logistic回归模型。在测试集中采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线、Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合优度检验、校准曲线和决策曲线综合评价模型的预测性能。结果训练集112例患者中,腋窝淋巴结pCR组49例,npCR组63例。单因素分析结果提示,腋窝淋巴结pCR组与npCR组的乳腺癌分子分型、淋巴结门结构、实质厚度、E mean、E_(max)、E _(min)、SD、E _(ratio)、造影增强类型和淋巴管连续性比较,差别有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素分析结果提示,乳腺癌HER2+型、淋巴结实质厚度≤0.38 cm、E_(max)<10.0 kPa、造影呈均匀/环形增强为腋窝淋巴结pCR的保护因素(P<0.05)。以多模态超声指标构建腋窝淋巴结pCR回归模型,预测模型的曲线下面积为0.831(95%CI:0.749~0.923,P<0.05),灵敏度为87.8%,特异度为70.9%。Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合优度检验、校准曲线和决策曲线结果表明,该预测模型在准确性、区分度、校准度和临床获益各方面的性能较好。结论多模态超声可有效识别NAC后腋窝淋巴结pCR病例,为临床N 1期乳腺癌患者NAC后腋窝淋巴结手术方式的选择提供影像学依据。

859例胰腺占位性病变超声造影诊断的准确性分析

目的分析胰腺占位性病变超声造影诊断报告的准确性。方法回顾性收集2017年1月—2022年12月北京协和医院行胰腺占位超声造影检查且最终病理诊断明确的患者病历资料。以病理诊断为金标准,分析胰腺病变超声造影诊断的准确性,并具体分析各种病理类型胰腺占位性病变的超声造影误诊情况。结果共859例符合纳入和排除标准的患者入选本研究,其中男性489例(56.9%),女性370例(43.1%);年龄16~85岁,中位年龄60(53,66)岁。除难以应用良恶性进行分类的胰腺占位47例外,余812例纳入良恶性诊断准确性分析,结果显示,超声造影对胰腺恶性病变的诊断灵敏度为98.3%(95%CI:97.1%~99.1%),特异度为79.0%(95%CI:70.1%~86.4%),AUC为0.887(95%CI:0.863~0.908),阳性预测值为96.9%(95%CI:95.6%~97.9%),阴性预测值为87.4%(95%CI:79.6%~92.4%),阳性似然比为4.69(95%CI:3.24~6.80),阴性似然比为0.02(95%CI:0.01~0.04),超声造影检查诊断胰腺病变良恶性的诊断报告符合率为95.8%。859例胰腺占位病例中,超声造影误诊48例,误诊率为5.6%(48/859),其中包含未定性诊断病例7例(0.8%),而胰腺导管腺癌的诊断准确率高达98.8%。所有患者超声造影过程中均未发生不良反应事件。结论超声造影检查安全、有效,是评估各种胰腺病变微血管灌注的准确成像方法,对胰腺病变良恶性诊断,特别是胰腺导管腺癌的定性诊断具有良好的临床应用价值。

实时剪切波弹性成像联合超声造影参数在鉴别甲状腺实性结节良恶性的诊断价值研究

目的 评估实时剪切波弹性成像(SWE)杨氏模量联合超声造影(CEUS)参数在鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性中的诊断价值。方法 以2020年6月至2022年11月在宝鸡市人民医院经细针穿刺活检或手术病理证实的甲状腺结节病人为研究对象,按照研究目标设定的纳入/排除标准,最终纳入106例共106个结节,行常规超声及SWE检查,记录结节超声特征及弹性参数,后行CEUS检查,并对结节动态造影图像进行定量参数分析,获取造影时间-强度曲线(TIC)图及相关CEUS参数。比较SWE参数Еmax、Еmin、Еmean与CEUS参数PI、TTP、MTT、超声造影TIC曲线下面积(AUC)及联合参数在鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性中的诊断价值。结果 106例甲状腺结节中,甲状腺良性结节(TBN)组60例和恶性结节(TMN)组46例;两组结节一般资料比较中,病人年龄平均值TBN组(42.37±5.54)岁与TMN组(39.56±4.69)岁相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),结节血流分布差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组结节SWE杨氏模量Emax、Emin、Emean平均值中,TBN组平均值分别为(39.29±12.59)Kp、(14.19±4.60)Kp、(23.01±7.93)Kp,TMN组平均值分别为(104.35±35.62)Kp、(35.09±17.53)Kp、(62.13±22.94)Kp,两组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组结节CEUS定性及定量各参数PI、TTP、AUC平均值中,TBN组各参数平均值分别为(45.88±4.22)dB、(22.02±1.97)s、(4177.58±426.29)dB·s,TMN组各参数平均值分别为(35.64±4.16)dB、(24.98±3.91)s、(3280.94±315.76)dB·s,TMN组PI、AUC均低于TBN组,而TMN组TTP长于TBN组,两组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);SWE及CEUS参数联合诊断受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线下面积(AUC)、准确性及对应的灵敏度、特异度均高于各参数单独诊断,且均差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。SWE各参数单独及联合诊断ROC曲线成对比较,Еmax比Еmin、Еmean比Еmin成对比较差异有统计学意义(Z=2.60、3.00,P<0.05)。CEUS各参数单独及联合诊断ROC曲线成对比较,TTP与联合诊断成对比较差异有统计学意义(Z=2.35,P<0.05)。Emean截断值为32.21 KPa时,SWE-Emean联合CEUS特征鉴别甲状腺结节良恶性的诊断效能均优于SWE-Emean或CEUS单独诊断。结论SWE杨氏模量联合CEUS参数可提高甲状腺结节诊断准确性。