Optimizing the US Diagnosis of Biliary Atresia with a Modified Triangular Cord Thickness and Gallbladder Classification.

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US) in the identification and exclusion of biliary atresia with a modified triangular cord thickness metric together with a gallbladder classification scheme, as well as hepatic artery (HA) diameter and liver and spleen size, in a large sample of jaundiced infants. Materials and Methods The ethics committee approved this study, and written informed parental consent was obtained. In 273 infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin level ≥ 31.2 µmol/L, with direct bilirubin level > indirect bilirubin level), detailed abdominal US was performed to exclude biliary atresia. Biliary atresia was found in 129 infants and ruled out in 144. A modified triangular cord thickness was measured at the anterior branch of the right portal vein, and a gallbladder classification scheme was identified that incorporated the appearance of the gallbladder and a gallbladder length-to-width ratio of up to 5.2 when the lumen was visualized, as well as HA diameter and liver and spleen size. Reference standard diagnosis was based on results of one or more of the following: surgery, liver biopsy, cholangiography, and clinical follow-up. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis, binary logistic regression analysis, Fisher exact test, and unpaired t test were performed. Results Triangular cord thickness, HA diameter, ratio of gallbladder length to gallbladder width, liver size, and spleen size exhibited statistically significant differences (all P < .05) between the group with biliary atresia and the group without. AUCs of triangular cord thickness, ratio of gallbladder length to width, and HA diameter were 0.952, 0.844, and 0.838, respectively. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that these three US parameters were significantly associated (all P < .05) with biliary atresia. The combination of triangular cord thickness and gallbladder classification could yield comparable AUCs (0.915 vs 0.933, P = .400) and a higher sensitivity (96.9% vs 92.2%), compared with triangular cord thickness alone. Conclusion By using the combination of modified triangular cord thickness and gallbladder classification scheme, most infants with biliary atresia could be identified. (©) RSNA, 2015.

Comparison of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography in evaluating the treatment response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma using modified RECIST.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for evaluating the treatment response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment responses of 130 patients who underwent TACE were evaluated by CEUS and CECT. We initially compared the abilities of CEUS and CECT to detect residual tumour, which were confirmed by histology or angiography. Then, we compared the tumour response to TACE assessed by CEUS and CECT, according to Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (mRECIST). RESULTS: The sensitivity and accuracy of detecting residual tumour by CEUS vs. CECT were 95.9 % vs. 76.2 % (p < 0.001) and 96.2 % vs. 77.7 % (p < 0.001), respectively. For target lesions, 13 patients were observed as complete response (CR) by CEUS, compared to 36 by CECT (p < 0.001). For nontarget lesions, 12 patients were observed as CR by CEUS, compared to 22 by CECT (p = 0.006). For overall response, eight patients were observed as CR by CEUS, compared to 31 by CECT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of CEUS was superior to CECT for detecting residual tumour after TACE. In clinical, CEUS should be recommended as an optional procedure for assessing the tumour response to TACE. KEY POINTS: • The mRECIST are widely applied for evaluating the response of HCC. • Imaging method has been applied to assess the therapeutic response to TACE. • The diagnostic performance of CEUS was superior to CECT for residual tumours. • CEUS can be a valuable method for assessing tumour response to TACE.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of malignant liver tumors with ultrasound and CT fusion imaging guidance.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and utility of sonography (US) and CT fusion imaging guidance for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of malignant liver tumors not visualized on conventional US. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and 15 patients with metastatic liver cancer with a total of 136 lesions underwent RFA with US and CT fusion imaging guidance. The mean number of punctures, success rate of a single ablation session, local tumor progression rates, and long-term outcome were evaluated. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by dynamic CT and contrast-enhanced US 1 month after RFA. RESULTS: RFA was technically feasible in all patients, and no major complications occurred. The mean ± SD time needed to synchronize US and CT images was 13.9 ± 11.9 minutes (range, 5-55 minutes). The success rate of a single ablation session was 83.8% (114/136), and tumor residue was present in 7.4% of lesions (10/136). The mean number of treatment sessions was 1.2 ± 0.5 sessions. During follow-up, local tumor progression was observed for 15 (11.9%) lesions. Distant tumor recurrence was found in 51 (55.4%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: US and CT fusion-assisted RFA is a safe and efficacious treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver cancer.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of histologically proven focal nodular hyperplasia: diagnostic performance compared with contrast-enhanced CT.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate and compare contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the characterisation of histologically proven focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). METHODS: CEUS was performed in 85 patients with 85 histologically proven FNHs. Enhancement, centrifugal filling, spoke-wheel arteries, feeding artery and central scarring were reviewed and correlated with lesion size or liver background. Independent factors for predicting FNH from other focal liver lesions (FLLs) were evaluated. Forty-seven FLLs with CECT were randomly selected for comparison of diagnostic performance with CEUS. RESULTS: Centrifugal filling was more common (P = 0.002) and the significant predictor (P = 0.003) in FNHs ≤3 cm. Lesion size or liver background has no significant influence on the detection rate of the spoke-wheel arteries and feeding artery (P > 0.05). Central scarring was found in 42.6 % of FNHs ≥3 cm (P = 0.000). The area under the ROC curve, sensitivity and specificity showed no significant differences between CEUS and CECT (P > 0.05), except that the sensitivity of CEUS was better for reader 1 (P = 0.041). CONCLUSION: CEUS is valuable in characterising centrifugal filling signs or spoke wheels in small FNHs and should be employed as the first-line imaging technique for diagnosis of FNH. KEY POINTS: • The confident diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia is important in liver imaging. • The centrifugal filling sign is useful for diagnosis of FNHs ≤3 cm. • Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT have similar diagnostic performance for FNH. • CEUS should be the first-line imaging technique for the diagnosis of FNH.

Sorafenib suppresses the rapid progress of hepatocellular carcinoma after insufficient radiofrequency ablation therapy: an experiment in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely applied treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but insufficient RFA can promote rapid progression of the residual tumor through the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) pathway. Although sorafenib has been successfully applied to advanced HCC, the use of sorafenib in residual tumor cells after RFA has rarely been tested. PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential role of sorafenib as an adjunct to RFA to reduce the recurrence rate after insufficient RFA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Xenograft tumors of SMMC 7721 were created by subcutaneously inoculating nude mice with hepatoma cells (5 × 10(6) cells per mouse). Fourteen days after inoculation, all mice were divided into three groups (control group [sham puncture], RFA group, and RFA combined with sorafenib treatment group) with six mice in each group. Each group was given a different treatment procedure. After treatment, the volume of the tumors was calculated from the resected specimens. The mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α and VEGFA was quantified by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis. The micro-vessel density (MVD) was determined by CD34 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that, compared to the RFA group, HIF-1α and VEGFA expression were significantly decreased in the group that received RFA combined with sorafenib treatment (P < 0.05). By comparing the control group with the RFA group, we found that insufficient RFA promoted HIF-1α and VEGFA expression (P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained for MVD expression. Additionally, the combination of RFA with sorafenib therapy resulted in a synergistic reduction in tumor growth compared to insufficient RFA and sham puncture (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sorafenib was able to inhibit the expression of HIF-1α and VEGFA, and sorafenib was able to increase time to recurrence when used as an adjunct to RFA.

Percutaneous ablative therapies of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: proposal of a prognostic model.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ablative therapies (PAT) are valuable modalities for posthepatectomy recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (RHCC), but its impact on long-term outcome and prognosis prediction have not been well documented. The present study aimed to analyze prognostic factors and to propose a prognosis-predicting model for RHCC treated with PAT. METHODS: A total of 288 patients with posthepatectomy RHCC treated with percutaneous ethanol ablation, radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, or ethanol ablation combined with radiofrequency ablation were included. Survival and prognostic factors were analyzed. A prognosis-predicting model was created by quantifying and integrating all prognostic factors. RESULTS: Three-, 5-, and 7-year postablation survival rates were 37.8, 20.7, and 14.2 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that interval between recurrence and initial hepatectomy, tumor number, largest diameter of tumor, and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage at hepatectomy were independent prognostic factors for survival. A scoring system for prognostic factors was proposed, and summation of 4 prognostic factors (prognostic score) was ranged from 4 to 10. Prognostic score was classified into three strata, designated as prognostic classes A (score 4 and 5), B (score 6 and 7), and C (≥8). Three-, 5-, and 7-year postablation survival rates were 62.8, 39.4, and 26.9 % in class A, 36.9, 15.5, and 7.2 % in B, and 5.5, 0, and 0 % in class C, respectively (p = 0.00). Three-, 5-, 7-, and 10-year survival rates after initial hepatectomy were 82.4, 66.3, 52.1, and 36.4 % in class A, 51.6, 34.8, 20.7, and 6.6 % in class B, and 11.9, 7.8, 0, and 0 % in class C, respectively (p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic model developed in the study could clearly predict different long-term outcomes for patients with posthepatectomy RHCC and thus help decide appropriate therapeutic strategy.

Objective differential characteristics of cystic biliary atresia and choledochal cysts in neonates and young infants: sonographic findings.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the objective differential characteristics between cystic biliary atresia and choledochal cysts on sonography among neonates and young infants. METHODS: Twenty-three patients who had sonographic findings of a portal cyst and a final diagnosis were included. Their final diagnoses were cystic biliary atresia in 12 patients and choledochal cysts in 11. All of them underwent detailed sonographic scanning. Data for cystic biliary atresia and choledochal cyst groups were compared by the χ(2) test for categorical variables and an unpaired t test for continuous variables. RESULTS: The triangular cord sign was detected in 11 patients in the atresia group but in none in the cyst group (P < .001). Nine of 11 patients in the cyst group had dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts, whereas none in the atresia group had that feature (P < .001). Sonography also showed sludge deposits in the cysts in 6 of 11 patients in the cyst group, whereas none in the atresia group had sludge deposits (P = .005). The mean width and length of the cysts in the cyst group were significantly larger than those in the atresia group (P< .05 for both). The mean hepatic artery diameter was significantly larger in the atresia group than in the cyst group (P < .001). The difference in gallbladder abnormalities between the atresia (n = 11) and cyst (n = 0) groups was also significant (P < .001). When all specific sonographic features were used, all patients were correctly classified into the atresia and cyst groups. CONCLUSIONS: The triangular cord sign, intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, and echoic cysts might be regarded as objective sonographic features for differentiating cystic biliary atresia and choledochal cysts. Other sonographic features might be very supportive.

Development and evaluation of lipid microbubbles targeted to alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin via biotin-avidin bridge.

This work was to report preparation and quality control of targeted microbubbles (MB(t)) via biotin-avidin bridge, specifically verification of the "biotin-avidin-biotin" sandwich structure. (1) Lipid microbubbles filled with sulphur hexafluoride were produced by sonication and compared with commercially available microbubbles. (2) MB(t) were produced via biotin-avidin bridge. Specifically, the "biotin-avidin-biotin" sandwich structure on the surface of MB(t) was verified in vitro using fluorescence. (3) Adhesion of alpha(v)beta(3)-integrin targeted MB(t) (MB(αvß3)) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was tested using the parallel plate flow chamber (PPFC). "Biotin-avidin" is a reliable method to attach molecular probe onto the surface of microbubbles.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation treatment and genetic testing for renal cell carcinoma with Von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation is increasingly being studied in the treatment of renal tumors. Because percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive and nephron-sparing procedure, it is ideally suited for patients with a single kidney, multiple tumors, or contraindications to conventional surgery. We report on a patient with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease who had multicentric tumors in the single kidney that was successfully treated with percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequncy ablation. The one-year follow-up showed that there was no local recurrence or metastasis. And genetic testing showed the patient had a T to G heterozygotic missense mutation at nucleotide 515 of VHL gene exon 1.

Misdiagnosis of pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic metastases account for only a small proportion of all pancreatic malignancies. Isolated pancreatic metastasis from renal cell cancer (isPM-RCC) is extremely rare and may be difficult to differentiate from more common primary neoplasms. A history of nephrectomy is crucial for the diagnosis. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a 64-year-old Asian man who was diagnosed with a mass in the pancreatic head using computed tomography. He had no related symptoms, and his medical history was unremarkable, except for unilateral nephrectomy performed to remove a "benign" tumor 19 years ago. All preoperative imaging findings suggested a diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. However, ultrasound-guided biopsy revealed features of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Re-examination of the specimen resected 19 years ago confirmed that he had a ccRCC. The pancreatic mass was resected and pathological examination confirmed isPM-RCC. CONCLUSION: Misdiagnosis of isPM-RCC is common because of its rarity and the long interval from resection of the primary tumor and manifestation of the metastasis. The history of the previous surgery may be the only clue.

Feasibility of Transabdominal Real-time CDFI and HDFI Techniques for Fetal Pulmonary Vein Display in the First Trimester.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and usefulness of transabdominal color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) technology and the high-definition flow imaging (HDFI) technique in detecting fetal pulmonary veins (PVs) in the first trimester (11-13+6 weeks). METHODS: From December 2018 to October 2019, 328 pregnant women with 328 normal singleton fetuses (crown-rump length: 45-84 mm) who had undergone CDFI and HDFI scans for fetal heart and vessel examination were enrolled in this study. The cases were divided into three groups according to the gestational age: group A, 11+0 -11+6 weeks; group B, 12+0 -12+6 weeks; and group C, 13+0 -13+6 weeks. Baseline sonograms and CDFI and HDFI images were analyzed by two senior radiologists independently and blindly. The abilities of CDFI and HDFI to display PVs were compared. RESULTS: Successful PV display rates via CDFI and HDFI were 2.3% and 68.2% (P<0.01), 22.4% and 82.4% (P<0.01), 41.5% and 91.2% (P<0.01) for group A, group B, and group C, respectively. The total successful display rates for the two methods were 28.9% (CDFI) and 84.8% (HDFI) (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The HDFI technique is more valuable than CDFI for detecting PVs in early pregnancy (11-13+6 weeks). HDFI can detect at least one PV in all cases and may be used to detect pulmonary venous anomalies early.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma: differential diagnosis with contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the differentiation of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The CEUS enhancement patterns of 50 ICCs were retrospectively analysed and compared with 50 HCCs. Two readers independently reviewed the baseline ultrasound (BUS) and CEUS images and the diagnostic performances were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Time-intensity curves (TIC) were plotted for quantification analysis. RESULTS: In the arterial phase, peripheral rim-like hyperenhancement, heterogeneous hyperenhancement, homogeneous hyperenhancement and heterogeneous hypoenhancement were found in 25, 10, 3 and 12 of the ICCs versus 2, 29, 19 and 0 of the HCCs (P < 0.001), respectively. The diagnostic performance of both readers in terms of the area under the ROC curve (0.745 vs. 0.933 for reader 1, and 0.803 vs. 0.911 for reader 2), sensitivity (28% vs. 90%, and 44% vs. 82%) and accuracy (64% vs. 90%, and 71% vs. 90%) improved significantly after CEUS (all P < 0.05). The interobserver agreement increased from kappa = 0.575 at BUS to kappa = 0.720 after CEUS. TICs demonstrated that the intensities of the peripheral and central portions of the ICCs were lower than those of HCCs (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CEUS improves the diagnostic performance significantly in the differentiation between ICC and HCC.

Differential diagnosis between benign and malignant gallbladder diseases with real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant gallbladder diseases was investigated. Thirty-three patients with gallbladder carcinomas and 47 with benign gallbladder diseases underwent CEUS. The lesion enhancement time, enhancement extent, pattern, dynamic change of enhancement and the intactness of gallbladder wall were evaluated. In the early phase at CEUS, hyper-, iso-, hypo-, and non-enhancement were found in 84.8% (28/33), 9.1% (3/33), 6.1% (2/33), and 0% (0/33) of gallbladder carcinomas, and 70.3% (33/47), 17.0% (8/47), 2.1% (1/47), and 10.6% (5/47) of benign diseases (p > 0.05). Hyper-enhancement or iso-enhancement in the early phase and then fading out to hypo-enhancement within 35 s after contrast agent administration was found in 90.9% (30/33) of carcinomas and 17.0% (8/47) of benign lesions (p < 0.001). Destruction of the gallbladder wall intactness was absent in benign diseases, whereas it was present in 28 (84.8%) of the 33 carcinomas (p < 0.001). Destruction of gallbladder wall intactness on CEUS yielded the highest capability in differential diagnosis, with sensitivity, specificity, and Youden's index of 84.8% (28/33), 100% (47/47), and 0.85, respectively. Conventional US made correct original diagnoses in 55 (68.8%) patients, whereas CEUS in 77 (96.3%). Thus, CEUS is useful in differential diagnosis between malignant and benign gallbladder diseases.

Renal cell carcinoma: real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the findings of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). METHODS: CEUS features of 84 RCCs confirmed by pathologic examination in 81 patients were retrospectively analyzed. A contrast-specific mode and a sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubble contrast agent were used for CEUS. The enhancement pattern, extent, and dynamic change in the cortical, corticomedullary, and late phases were evaluated. RESULTS: On CEUS, the emergence of tumor enhancement was earlier in two nodules (2.4%), simultaneous in 71 (84.5%), and later in 11 (13.1%), in comparison with the adjacent renal cortex. Seventy-four RCC nodules (88.1%) showed hyper-enhancement (n = 2) or iso-enhancement (n = 72) during the cortical phase, and the remaining 10 (11.9%) showed hypo-enhancement. Twenty-three nodules (27.4%) showed homogeneous enhancement and 61 (72.6%) inhomogeneous enhancement. In the corticomedullary phase, the nodules showed hypo-enhancement in 68 (81.0%) and iso-enhancement in 16 (19.0%). In the late phase, all RCCs showed the same enhancement pattern as that shown in the corticomedullary phase. Seventy-two (85.7%) nodules showed a clear perilesional rim-like enhancement in late phase. CONCLUSIONS: Hyper- or iso-enhancement during the cortical phase, subsequent washout in late phase, inhomogeneous enhancement, and perilesional rim-like enhancement are clues for RCCs, which might be useful for characterization of RCCs.

Renal cell carcinoma and renal angiomyolipoma: differential diagnosis with real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in differentiating renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from renal angiomyolipoma (RAML). METHODS: One hundred nineteen patients with 126 renal lesions (33 RAMLs and 93 RCCs) who had undergone CEUS were retrospectively studied. All of the lesions were histopathologically or clinical proved. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was performed using low-acoustic power modes and a sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubble contrast agent. The baseline sonograms and CEUS images were retrospectively analyzed in consensus by 2 radiologists. The tumor echogenicity, enhancement patterns, and degree of enhancement at different phases were evaluated. The diagnostic efficacy of CEUS in differentiating the two diseases was computed and compared. RESULTS: On CEUS, the features of wash-out from hyperenhancement or isoenhancement to hypoenhancement over time (observed in 3.0% of RAMLs and 71.0% of RCCs; P < .001), heterogeneous enhancement (observed in 12.1% of RAMLs and 74.2% of RCCs; P < .001), and an enhanced perilesional rim (observed in 3.0% of RAMLs and 79.6% of RCCs; P < .001) achieved significant difference between RCCs and RAMLs. Early wash-out and heterogeneous enhancement or peritumoral rim enhancement yielded the highest diagnostic capability in differentiating RCC from RAML. The corresponding sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 88.2% (82 of 93), 97.0% (32 of 33), 98.8% (82 of 83), 74.4% (32 of 43), and 90.5% (114 of 126), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CEUS features of early wash-out, heterogeneous enhancement, and an enhanced peritumoral rim highly suggest RCC, whereas homogeneous enhancement and prolonged enhancement are characteristic manifestations of RAML. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is valuable in differentiating RCC from RAML.

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in assessing the vascularity of liver metastases: comparison with contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the capability of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in evaluating the vascularity of liver metastases. METHODS: Both CEUS and CECT examinations were performed on 70 patients with liver metastases, which were from colon carcinoma in 31, rectal carcinoma in 17, pancreatic carcinoma in 5, and others in 17. In patients with multiple lesions, the most easily observed lesion was selected as the target lesion for evaluation of vascularity. RESULTS: Peak enhancement of the target lesion during the arterial phase was characterized as hyperenhancement, isoenhancement, hypo-enhancement, and nonenhancement in 61 (87.1%), 6 (8.6%), 3 (4.3%), and 0 (0%) patients on CEUS, respectively, and in 52 (74.3%), 8 (11.4%), 8 (11.4%), and 2 (2.9%) on CECT. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed more lesions with hyperenhancement than CECT (P < .01). The enhancement pattern during the arterial phase was homogeneous, inhomogeneous, and rimlike in 30 (42.9%), 16 (22.9%), and 24 (34.2%) patients on CEUS and in 13 (18.6%), 8 (11.4%), and 49 (70%) on CECT. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography revealed more lesions with homogeneous enhancement than CECT (P < .01). Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed dysmorphic vessels in 33 patients (47.1%) during the arterial phase, whereas CECT showed dysmorphic vessels in 27 (38.6%; P < .01). Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed hypervascular lesions in 58.6% of patients, whereas CECT showed hypervascular lesions in 12.9% (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was superior to CECT in assessing the vascularity of liver metastases.

Ethanol ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma Up to 5.0 cm by using a multipronged injection needle with high-dose strategy.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether ethanol ablation by using a multipronged needle delivery system (multipronged ethanol ablation) could eradicate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) up to 5.0 cm in diameter with a single-session high-dose strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hospital ethics committee approved the prospective study, and each patient provided written informed consent. One hundred forty-one patients (125 men, 16 women; mean age, 53 years; range, 27-76 years) with 164 primary or recurrent HCC ranging from 1.3 to 5.0 cm in diameter (mean, 2.9 cm +/- 0.9) were treated with high-dose multipronged ethanol ablation. Patients were unsuitable for surgery, declined surgery and radiofrequency ablation, or had tumors located at unfavorable sites. Primary technique effectiveness (PTE) (complete ablation within two sessions), local tumor progression (LTP), and complications after the treatment were observed. Twenty risk factors of local effectiveness and complications were analyzed by means of univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Mean number of treatment sessions was 1.1. The mean volume of ethanol per tumor was 31 mL (range, 8-68 mL). PTE was achieved in 134 (95%) of 141 patients and was significantly associated with tumor pattern (capsulated vs noncapsulated, P = .018). After a mean follow-up period of 25 months, LTP was observed in 16 (12%) of 134 patients, and in nine (56%) patients, LTP occurred in tumors 3.1-5.0 cm in diameter. Alanine aminotransferase level (P = .023) was the independent risk factor for LTP. Three (2%) of 141 patients had major complications. CONCLUSION: Multipronged ethanol ablation with a high-dose strategy can be used to treat HCC up to 5.0 cm in diameter effectively and safely, often in a single session.

Does the echogenicity of focal liver lesions on baseline gray-scale ultrasound interfere with the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound?

The objective was to evaluate whether the echogenicity of focal liver lesions (FLLs) on baseline gray-scale ultrasound (US) interferes with the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) for small FLLs. Three-hundred and eighty-eight patients were examined by real-time CEUS using a sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubble contrast agent. The images of 114 hyperechoic lesions, 30 isoechoic lesions and 244 hypoechoic lesions were reviewed by two blinded independent readers. A five-point confidence level was used to discriminate malignant from benign lesions, and specific diagnoses were made. The diagnostic performances were evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The diagnostic performances of CEUS on hyperechoic lesions in terms of the areas (Az) under the ROC curve were 0.987 (reader 1) and 0.981 (reader 2), and were 0.987 (reader 1) and 0.984 (reader 2) for iso- and hypoechoic lesions, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 87.0-95.9%, 93.1-100%, 88.6-100%, 70.0-97.1% and 90.0-95.1%, respectively. The echogenicity of FLLs on baseline gray-scale US does not appear to interfere with the diagnostic ability of CEUS for small FLLs.

Diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for complex cystic focal liver lesions: blinded reader study.

The study was aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in characterizing complex cystic focal liver lesions (FLLs). Sixty-seven complex cystic FLLs in 65 patients were examined with conventional ultrasound (US) and real-time CEUS. The US and CEUS images were reviewed by a resident radiologist and a staff radiologist independently. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance, and the interobserver agreement was analysed. The results showed that complete non-enhancement throughout three phases of CEUS or sustained enhancement in the portal and late phases were exhibited in most benign lesions. Conversely, hypo-enhancement in the late phase was seen in all malignancies. After ROC analysis, the areas (Az) under the ROC curve were 0.774 at US versus 0.922 at CEUS (P=0.047) by the resident radiologist, and 0.917 versus 0.935 (P=0.38) by the staff radiologist. A significant difference in Az between the resident and the staff radiologists was found for US (0.774 versus 0.917, P=0.044), whereas not found for CEUS (0.922 versus 0.935, P=0.42). Interobserver agreement was improved after CEUS (kappa=0.325 at US versus kappa=0.774 at CEUS). Real-time CEUS improves the capability of discrimination between benign and malignant complex cystic FLLs, especially for the resident radiologist.

Disappearance of the blood supply to a giant uterine myoma due to childbirth: A CARE-compliant article.

RATIONALE: Giant uterine myomas may be life-threatening due to pressure effects on the lungs and other contiguous organs. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 32-year-old pregnant Asian woman was admitted to our hospital early in her pregnancy with a pre-pregnancy history of multiple uterine myomas. DIAGNOSIS: She was diagnosed with multiple giant uterine myomas in pregnancy. INTERVENTIONS: No intervention was performed on the woman. OUTCOMES: A reduction in tumor size and disappearance of tumor blood supply were seen on conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasounds (CEUS) on postpartum day 34. Mass volume gradually decreased and no blood flow signals were seen on CEUS during postpartum follow-up. LESSONS: Childbirth can block the blood supply of giant uterine myomas and reduce mass size. In such cases, childbirth may be considered therapeutic.