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Cerrito L, Ainora ME, Cuccia G, Galasso L, Mignini I, Esposto G, Garcovich M, Riccardi L, Gasbarrini A, Zocco MA. Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Prediction of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Response to Systemic and Locoregional Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:551. [PMID: 38339302 PMCID: PMC10854581 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver cancer and the sixth most common malignant tumor in the world, with an incidence of 2-8% per year in patients with hepatic cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. Despite surveillance schedules, it is sometimes diagnosed at an advanced stage, requiring complex therapeutic efforts with both locoregional and systemic treatments. Traditional radiological tools (computed tomography and magnetic resonance) are used for the post-treatment follow-up of HCC. The first follow-up imaging is performed at 4 weeks after resection or locoregional treatments, or after 3 months from the beginning of systemic therapies, and subsequently every 3 months for the first 2 years. For this reason, these radiological methods do not grant the possibility of an early distinction between good and poor therapeutic response. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) have gained the interest of several researchers for their potential role in the early assessment of response to locoregional treatments (chemoembolization) or antiangiogenic therapies in patients with advanced HCC. In fact, DCE-US, through a quantitative analysis performed by specific software, allows the construction of time-intensity curves, providing an evaluation of the parameters related to neoplastic tissue perfusion and its potential changes following therapies. It has the invaluable advantage of being easily repeatable, minimally invasive, and able to grant important evaluations regarding patients' survival, essential for well-timed therapeutic changes in case of unsatisfying response, and eventual further treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cerrito
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy (M.E.A.); (G.C.); (G.E.); (M.G.); (L.R.); (A.G.)
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
| | - Maria Elena Ainora
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy (M.E.A.); (G.C.); (G.E.); (M.G.); (L.R.); (A.G.)
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Cuccia
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy (M.E.A.); (G.C.); (G.E.); (M.G.); (L.R.); (A.G.)
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
| | - Linda Galasso
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
| | - Irene Mignini
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
| | - Giorgio Esposto
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy (M.E.A.); (G.C.); (G.E.); (M.G.); (L.R.); (A.G.)
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
| | - Matteo Garcovich
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy (M.E.A.); (G.C.); (G.E.); (M.G.); (L.R.); (A.G.)
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
| | - Laura Riccardi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy (M.E.A.); (G.C.); (G.E.); (M.G.); (L.R.); (A.G.)
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy (M.E.A.); (G.C.); (G.E.); (M.G.); (L.R.); (A.G.)
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
| | - Maria Assunta Zocco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy (M.E.A.); (G.C.); (G.E.); (M.G.); (L.R.); (A.G.)
- CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy; (L.G.); (I.M.)
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Wang F, Numata K, Liang H, Tsuchiya H, Ruan L, Tanabe M, Bai X. Case Report: The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography in the diagnosis of hepatic angiosarcoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1283544. [PMID: 38107062 PMCID: PMC10722152 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1283544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Enhanced imaging techniques have the overwhelming advantages of being noninvasive and sensitive enough to evaluate the microcirculation of lesions, thus making them accurate in the diagnosis of hepatic lesions. Unfortunately, there is very little research on and knowledge of the imaging features of a rare cancerous condition: hepatic angiosarcoma (HA). Case summary In this study, we retrospectively collected the data of six patients who underwent both contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), and subsequently obtained a definitive histopathologic diagnosis of HA. We described the imaging appearances of HA by comparing CEUS and CECT images. Furthermore, we analyzed these imaging characteristics from the perspective of histopathology and tumorigenesis. The study included the largest number (six) of histopathologically confirmed HA patients who had received CEUS examinations to date. Conclusion By offering readers comprehensive knowledge of contrast imaging, especially CEUS, in the diagnosis of HA, our study may reduce misdiagnosis and further improve treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiqian Wang
- Ultrasound Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kazushi Numata
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hua Liang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hiromi Tsuchiya
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Litao Ruan
- Ultrasound Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mikiko Tanabe
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Xiaofang Bai
- Ultrasound Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Ren J, Lu Q, Fei X, Dong Y, D Onofrio M, Sidhu PS, Dietrich CF. Assessment of arterial-phase hyperenhancement and late-phase washout of hepatocellular carcinoma-a meta-analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with SonoVue® and Sonazoid®. Eur Radiol 2023:10.1007/s00330-023-10371-2. [PMID: 37989916 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10371-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The recognition of arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) and washout during the late phase is key for correct diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). This meta-analysis was conducted to compare SonoVue®-enhanced and Sonazoid®-enhanced ultrasound in the assessment of HCC enhancement and diagnosis. METHODS Studies were included in the analysis if they reported data for HCC enhancement in the arterial phase and late phase for SonoVue® or in the arterial phase and Kupffer phase (KP) for Sonazoid®. Forty-two studies (7502 patients) with use of SonoVue® and 30 studies (2391 patients) with use of Sonazoid® were identified. In a pooled analysis, the comparison between SonoVue® and Sonazoid® CEUS was performed using chi-square test. An inverse variance weighted random-effect model was used to estimate proportion, sensitivity, and specificity along with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS In the meta-analysis, the proportion of HCC showing APHE with SonoVue®, 93% (95% CI 91-95%), was significantly higher than the proportion of HCC showing APHE with Sonazoid®, 77% (71-83%) (p < 0.0001); similarly, the proportion of HCC showing washout at late phase/KP was significantly higher with SonoVue®, 86% (83-89%), than with Sonazoid®, 76% (70-82%) (p < 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of APHE plus late-phase/KP washout detection in HCC were also higher with SonoVue® than with Sonazoid® (sensitivity 80% vs 52%; specificity 80% vs 73% in studies within unselected patient populations). CONCLUSION APHE and late washout in HCC are more frequently observed with SonoVue® than with Sonazoid®. This may affect the diagnostic performance of CEUS in the diagnosis of HCCs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT Meta-analysis data show the presence of key enhancement features for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma is different between ultrasound contrast agents, and arterial hyperenhancement and late washout are more frequently observed at contrast-enhanced ultrasound with SonoVue® than with Sonazoid®. KEY POINTS • Dynamic enhancement features are key for imaging-based diagnosis of HCC. • Arterial hyperenhancement and late washout are more often observed in HCCs using SonoVue®-enhanced US than with Sonazoid®. • The existing evidence for contrast-enhanced US may need to be considered being specific to the individual contrast agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ren
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Laboratory of Novel Optoacoustic (Ultrasonic) Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Lu
- Department of Ultrasound, Laboratory of Ultrasound Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Fei
- Department of Ultrasound, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Paul S Sidhu
- King's College London, Radiology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph F Dietrich
- Department Allgemeine Innere Medizin (DAIM), Kliniken Hirslanden Beau Site, Salem and Permancence, Bern, Switzerland.
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Nadarevic T, Giljaca V, Colli A, Fraquelli M, Casazza G, Miletic D, Štimac D. Computed tomography for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults with chronic liver disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 10:CD013362. [PMID: 34611889 PMCID: PMC8493329 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013362.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma occurs mostly in people with chronic liver disease and ranks sixth in terms of global incidence of cancer, and fourth in terms of cancer deaths. In clinical practice, computed tomography (CT) is used as a second-line diagnostic imaging modality to confirm the presence of focal liver lesions suspected as hepatocellular carcinoma on prior diagnostic test such as abdominal ultrasound or alpha-foetoprotein, or both, either in surveillance programmes or in clinical settings. According to current guidelines, a single contrast-enhanced imaging study CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing typical hallmarks of hepatocellular carcinoma in people with cirrhosis is valid to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma. However, a significant number of hepatocellular carcinomas do not show typical hallmarks on imaging modalities, and hepatocellular carcinoma is, therefore, missed. There is no clear evidence of the benefit of surveillance programmes in terms of overall survival: the conflicting results can be a consequence of inaccurate detection, ineffective treatment, or both. Assessing the diagnostic accuracy of CT may clarify whether the absence of benefit could be related to underdiagnosis. Furthermore, an assessment of the accuracy of CT in people with chronic liver disease, who are not included in surveillance programmes is needed for either ruling out or diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma. OBJECTIVES Primary: to assess the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector, multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma of any size and at any stage in adults with chronic liver disease, either in a surveillance programme or in a clinical setting. Secondary: to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CT for the diagnosis of resectable hepatocellular carcinoma in adults with chronic liver disease. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Trials Register, Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Diagnostic-Test-Accuracy Studies Register, the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, Science Citation Index Expanded, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science until 4 May 2021. We applied no language or document-type restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA Studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of CT for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults with chronic liver disease, with cross-sectional designs, using one of the acceptable reference standards, such as pathology of the explanted liver and histology of resected or biopsied focal liver lesion with at least a six-month follow-up. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS At least two review authors independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and applicability concerns, using the QUADAS-2 checklist. We presented the results of sensitivity and specificity, using paired forest plots, and tabulated the results. We used a hierarchical meta-analysis model where appropriate. We presented uncertainty of the accuracy estimates using 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We double-checked all data extractions and analyses. MAIN RESULTS We included 21 studies, with a total of 3101 participants. We judged all studies to be at high risk of bias in at least one domain because most studies used different reference standards, often inappropriate to exclude the presence of the target condition, and the time-interval between the index test and the reference standard was rarely defined. Regarding applicability in the patient selection domain, we judged 14% (3/21) of studies to be at low concern and 86% (18/21) of studies to be at high concern owing to characteristics of the participants who were on waiting lists for orthotopic liver transplantation. CT for hepatocellular carcinoma of any size and stage: sensitivity 77.5% (95% CI 70.9% to 82.9%) and specificity 91.3% (95% CI 86.5% to 94.5%) (21 studies, 3101 participants; low-certainty evidence). CT for resectable hepatocellular carcinoma: sensitivity 71.4% (95% CI 60.3% to 80.4%) and specificity 92.0% (95% CI 86.3% to 95.5%) (10 studies, 1854 participants; low-certainty evidence). In the three studies at low concern for applicability (861 participants), we found sensitivity 76.9% (95% CI 50.8% to 91.5%) and specificity 89.2% (95% CI 57.0% to 98.1%). The observed heterogeneity in the results remains mostly unexplained. The sensitivity analyses, which included only studies with clearly prespecified positivity criteria and only studies in which the reference standard results were interpreted without knowledge of the results of the index test, showed no variation in the results. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS In the clinical pathway for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults with chronic liver disease, CT has roles as a confirmatory test for hepatocellular carcinoma lesions, and for staging assessment. We found that using CT in detecting hepatocellular carcinoma of any size and stage, 22.5% of people with hepatocellular carcinoma would be missed, and 8.7% of people without hepatocellular carcinoma would be unnecessarily treated. For resectable hepatocellular carcinoma, we found that 28.6% of people with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma would improperly not be resected, while 8% of people without hepatocellular carcinoma would undergo inappropriate surgery. The uncertainty resulting from the high risk of bias in the included studies and concerns regarding their applicability limit our ability to confidently draw conclusions based on our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tin Nadarevic
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Vanja Giljaca
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Agostino Colli
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Mirella Fraquelli
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Casazza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Damir Miletic
- Department of Radiology , Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Davor Štimac
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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Fu J, Tang J, Luo H, Wu W. The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in predicting postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25984. [PMID: 34087841 PMCID: PMC8183765 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As one of the key factors, postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) influences the therapeutic effects and survival period of patients. Therefore, the early diagnosis of postoperative recurrence of HCC plays an important role in improving the therapeutic effects and prognosis. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) plays an important role in the early diagnosis of postoperative recurrence of HCC. However, the accuracy of CEUS in predicting postoperative recurrence of HCC is still controversial. Therefore, in this study, a meta-analysis was carried out to further evaluate the accuracy of CEUS in predicting postoperative recurrence of HCC, thus providing evidence support for the early diagnosis of HCC. METHODS The literatures on the CEUS diagnosis of postoperative recurrence of HCC were collected by searching China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, China Biology Medicine disc, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science on computer. The retrieval time is set from the start of the database until April 2021. The meta-analysis of the literatures that meet the quality standards was conducted by Stata 16.0 software. RESULTS The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. CONCLUSION This study will provide evidence support for the accuracy of CEUS in the diagnosis of postoperative recurrence of HCC. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also should not damage participants' rights. Ethical approval is not available. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated in relevant conferences. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/HB46W.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieying Fu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan Province
| | - Jia Tang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, The Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing
| | - Huan Luo
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, The Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing
| | - Wencui Wu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Haikou Hospital of the Maternal and Child Health, Haikou, Hainan Province, China
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Caraiani C, Boca B, Bura V, Sparchez Z, Dong Y, Dietrich C. CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 vs. CEUS LI-RADS v2017-Can Things Be Put Together? Biology (Basel) 2021; 10:biology10050412. [PMID: 34066607 PMCID: PMC8148521 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The LI-RADS system is nowadays the mainstream system used in classifying liver nodules in cirrhotic liver according to their risk of malignancy. Two main LI-RADS documents have been released—the CEUS LI-RADS v2017 document, and the CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 document. In some circumstances, a nodule can be differently classified when using CEUS versus when using CT or MRI. In this paper, we also focus on the existing similitudes between the two documents but, essentially, on the differences between the two main documents and the complementarities between imaging techniques in characterizing liver nodules in cirrhotic livers. Awareness of the complementarity of imaging techniques may lead to an improvement in the characterization and classification of liver nodules and will reduce the number of liver biopsies. This paper proposes practical solutions in order to better classify and manage observations or nodules detected in cirrhotic livers. Abstract Different LI-RADS core documents were released for CEUS and for CT/MRI. Both documents rely on major and ancillary diagnostic criteria. The present paper offers an exhaustive comparison of the two documents focusing on the similarities, but especially on the differences, complementarity, and added value of imaging techniques in classifying liver nodules in cirrhotic livers. The major diagnostic criteria are defined, and the sensitivity and specificity of each major diagnostic criteria are presented according to the literature. The existing differences between techniques in assessing the major diagnostic features can be then exploited in order to ensure a better classification and a better clinical management of liver nodules in cirrhotic livers. Ancillary features depend on the imaging technique used, and their presence can upgrade or downgrade the LI-RADS score of an observation, but only as far as LI-RADS 4. MRI is the imaging technique that provides the greatest number of ancillary features, whereas CEUS has fewer ancillary features than other imaging techniques. In the final part of the manuscript, some recommendations are made by the authors in order to guidephysicians as to when adding another imaging technique can be helpful in managing liver nodules in cirrhotic livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosmin Caraiani
- Department of Medical Imaging, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Bianca Boca
- Department of Medical Imaging, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Radiology, County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Radiology, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- Correspondence: (B.B.); (Z.S.)
| | - Vlad Bura
- Department of Radiology, County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Radiology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Zeno Sparchez
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, 400158 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 3rd Medical Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: (B.B.); (Z.S.)
| | - Yi Dong
- Ultrasound Department, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China;
| | - Christoph Dietrich
- Department Allgemeine Innere Medizin (DAIM), Kliniken Hirslanden Beau Site, Salem und Permancence, 3013 Bern, Switzerland;
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Schwarze V, Marschner C, Völckers W, Grosu S, Negrão de Figueiredo G, Rübenthaler J, Clevert DA. Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound versus computed tomography for hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective, single-center evaluation of 234 patients. J Int Med Res 2021; 48:300060520930151. [PMID: 32529869 PMCID: PMC7294502 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520930151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common cause of primary liver cancer. A major part of diagnostic HCC work-up is based on imaging findings from sonography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows for the dynamic assessment of the microperfusion pattern of suspicious liver lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of CEUS compared with CT scans for assessing HCC. METHODS We performed a retrospective, single-center study between 2004 and 2018 on 234 patients with suspicious liver lesions who underwent CEUS and CT examinations. All patients underwent native B-mode, color Doppler and CEUS after providing informed consent. Every CEUS examination was performed and interpreted by a single experienced radiologist (European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology level 3). RESULTS CEUS was performed on all included patients without occurrence of any adverse effects. CEUS showed a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 70%, a positive predictive value of 93% and a negative predictive value of 72% for analyzing HCC compared with CT as the diagnostic gold standard. CONCLUSIONS CEUS has an excellent safety profile and shows a high diagnostic accuracy in assessing HCC compared with corresponding results from CT scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Schwarze
- Vincent Schwarze, Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich - Grosshadern Campus, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81379 Munich, Germany.
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Schwarze V, Rübenthaler J, Marschner C, Fabritius MP, Rueckel J, Fink N, Puhr-Westerheide D, Gresser E, Froelich MF, Schnitzer ML, Große Hokamp N, Afat S, Staehler M, Geyer T, Clevert DA. Advanced Fusion Imaging and Contrast-Enhanced Imaging (CT/MRI-CEUS) in Oncology. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102821. [PMID: 33007933 PMCID: PMC7600560 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Fusion imaging depicts an innovative technique by which previously performed computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging can be integrated and reconstructed with advanced contrast-enhanced ultrasound using modern ultrasound devices in a real-time manner. Fusion imaging allows for complementing strengths and reducing restrictions of the combined imaging modalities. The visualization of parenchymal and tumoral microperfusion by contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be dynamically fused and assessed with images from previous cross-sectional studies and may help to decipher underlying entities of indeterminate lesions or validate suspicious morphology. The findings from our study demonstrate the benefits of fusion imaging for evaluating focal hepatic and renal lesions. The excellent safety profile, accessibility, repeatability and cost-effectiveness are advantages of fusion imaging which make it a powerful diagnostic tool for the modern radiologist. Abstract Fusion imaging depicts an innovative technique that facilitates combining assets and reducing restrictions of advanced ultrasound and cross-sectional imaging. The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the role of fusion imaging for assessing hepatic and renal lesions. Between 02/2011–08/2020, 92 patients in total were included in the study, of which 32 patients had hepatic lesions, 60 patients had renal lesions. Fusion imaging was technically successful in all patients. No adverse side effects upon intravenous (i.v.) application of SonoVue® (Bracco, Milan, Italy) were registered. Fusion imaging could clarify all 11 (100%) initially as indeterminate described hepatic lesions by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI). Moreover, 5/14 (36%) initially suspicious hepatic lesions could be validated by fusion imaging, whereas in 8/14 (57%), malignant morphology was disproved. Moreover, fusion imaging allowed for the clarification of 29/30 (97%) renal lesions initially characterized as suspicious by CT/MRI, of which 19/30 (63%) underwent renal surgery, histopathology revealed malignancy in 16/19 (84%), and benignity in 3/19 (16%). Indeterminate findings could be elucidated by fusion imaging in 20/20 (100%) renal lesions. Its accessibility and repeatability, even during pregnancy and in childhood, its cost-effectiveness, and its excellent safety profile, make fusion imaging a promising instrument for the thorough evaluation of hepatic and renal lesions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Schwarze
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-4400-73620
| | - Johannes Rübenthaler
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
| | - Constantin Marschner
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
| | - Matthias Philipp Fabritius
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
| | - Johannes Rueckel
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
| | - Nicola Fink
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
| | - Daniel Puhr-Westerheide
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
| | - Eva Gresser
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
| | - Matthias Frank Froelich
- Institute of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany;
| | - Moritz Ludwig Schnitzer
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
| | - Nils Große Hokamp
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Saif Afat
- Department for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, University Hospital Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany;
| | - Michael Staehler
- Department of Urology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | - Thomas Geyer
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
| | - Dirk-André Clevert
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital LMU, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany; (J.R.); (C.M.); (M.P.F.); (J.R.); (N.F.); (D.P.-W.); (E.G.); (M.L.S.); (T.G.); (D.-A.C.)
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Huang HF, Pang Q. Comparison of contrast-enhanced CT and contrast-enhanced ultrasound for assessing residual status of primary hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2019; 27:1161-1166. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v27.i18.1161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) can inactivate tumors by embolizing the main blood supply arteries of tumors through selectively inserting microcatheters into the arteries and injecting chemotherapy drugs. Effective TACE treatment will inevitably lead to changes of the microcirculation perfusion state of tumors. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can accurately reflect the perfusion process of tumors to accurately evaluate the efficacy of TACE.
AIM To evaluate the clinical value of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in determining the residual status of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after TACE.
METHODS Seventy-one HCC patients with a total of 125 lesions who underwent TACE were selected as study subjects during September 2016 and March 2019. One month after TACE, all patients were examined by CEUS and CECT. The results of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were used as the ¡°gold standard¡± to compare the value of CEUS and CECT in evaluating the efficacy of TACE.
RESULTS DSA found 97 residual lesions and 28 non-residual lesions. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of CEUS in determining residual lesions were 96.00%, 96.91%, and 92.86%, respectively, and the corresponding values for CECT were 88.00%, 87.63%, and 89.29%. The sensitivity and accuracy of CEUS in determining residual lesions were higher than those of CECT (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION CEUS can show the blood perfusion status of HCC after TACE, and is superior to CECT in determining residual lesions, thus providing a new and effective method for clinical evaluation of the efficacy of TACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Feng Huang
- Department of Radiology, Zhejiang Jiashan Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Jiaxing 314100, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qiang Pang
- Department of Radiology, Zhejiang Tumor Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, Zhejiang Province, China
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Zhong K, Zhang YQ, Chen H. Changes of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and perfusion parameters in hepatocellular carcinoma after anti-angiogenic therapy. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2019; 27:786-790. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v27.i12.786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular targeting drugs are one of the major advances in the treatment of liver tumors, especially for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which cannot be resected surgically. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a non-invasive method for displaying perfusion. It can dynamically reflect microcirculation perfusion of tumor tissue in real time and provide hemodynamic information for clinical evaluation of anti-angiogenic effect on HCC.
AIM To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in evaluating the effect of anti-angiogenic therapy in HCC.
METHODS Seventy-two patients with HCC (72 lesions) confirmed by pathology were randomly divided into either group A (36 cases) or group B (36 cases). Group A received transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Group B received TACE combined with thalidomide. All patients were examined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound before treatment and 12 weeks after treatment. The parameters of blood perfusion including area under curve (AUC) and peak intensity (PI) were measured. Meanwhile, the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured and compared.
RESULTS The AUC, PI, and serum levels of VEGF after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment in both groups A and B (P < 0.05), and these parameters after treatment were significantly lower in group B than in group A (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can quantitatively analyze the changes of blood flow perfusion after anti-angiogenic therapy of HCC and effectively evaluate the effect of anti-angiogenic therapy in this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Zhong
- Department of Laboratory, Hangzhou Yuhang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hangzhou 311100, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi-Qing Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou 311200, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Laboratory, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou 311200, Zhejiang Province, China
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