Quantification of Enhancement of Renal Parenchymal Masses with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of quantitative assessment of enhancement in diagnosing renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). A total of 73 solid renal parenchymal masses underwent both conventional ultrasound and CEUS. We compared the difference in maximum diameters on conventional ultrasound and CEUS between the benign and malignant groups. Enhancement features derived from a time-intensity curve were also analyzed. The diameters of renal cancer were found to be larger on CEUS than on conventional ultrasound (p < 0.05). When cutoff values of 4.74 s for washout time and 8.52% for enhancement intensity at 60 s for diagnosing RCCs were applied, the sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 67.3%, 95.2%, 86.5% and 65.4%, 81.0%, 68.4%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for these two enhancement characteristics combined as a criterion for differentiating RCCs from benign lesions were 44.0% and 99.1%, respectively. Early washout in the area of maximal intensity in the interior of the lesion and prolonged washout in the whole area of the lesion are specific CEUS manifestations suggestive of RCC.     

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for the Evaluation of Renal Transplants

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has emerged as a useful imaging modality for the evaluation of the transplant kidney. Advantages over traditional imaging modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging include the ability to visualize a lesion's enhancement pattern in real time, the lack of nephrotoxicity, and relatively low cost. Potential uses of contrast-enhanced ultrasound include characterization of solid and cystic transplant renal masses, assessment for pyelonephritis and identification of its complications, and evaluation of transplant complications in immediate and delayed settings. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound will likely play an increasing role for evaluating the transplant kidney, as an accurate diagnosis based on imaging can direct treatment and prevent unnecessary interventions.     

超声造影在脾脏局灶性占位病变诊断中的价值

目的：探讨脾脏局灶性病变的超声造影特征及良恶性病变的差异。 方法：回顾性分析我院经手术或经皮穿刺活检病理确诊的24例脾脏局灶性病变患者的超声声像图特征,并比较良恶性病灶最大径、病灶数目、回声、边界、形态、动脉期及静脉期增强程度、动脉期增强病灶3min内有无明显廓清方面有无差异。 结果：共纳入24例患者的24个脾脏局灶性病变,包括15个良性病灶和9个恶性病灶。3个良性病灶超声造影表现为始终无增强,余 21个病灶均有增强,其中良性12个,恶性9个。动脉期增强病灶3min内有无明显廓清方面比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),良恶性病灶最大径、病灶数目、回声、边界、形态、动脉期及静脉期增强程度等指标比较差异均无统计学意义。 结论：脾脏局灶性病变具有一定超声造影特征,其中造影剂3min内是否有明显廓清对鉴别良恶性有借鉴意义。     

实时超声造影对不超过2cm肝细胞癌定性诊断的临床研究

目的评估实时超声造影对≤2cm肝细胞癌的诊断价值。方法实时超声造影检查104个直径≤2．0cm的肝局灶性病变，造影剂为声诺维，成像技术采用对比脉冲序列。评估超声造影对其中49个肝细胞癌的诊断价值，并与普通超声比较。结果49个肝细胞癌病灶超声造影动脉期43（87．8％）个高增强，5个（10．2％）等增强，1个（2．0％）低增强。39（79．6％）个在门静脉期及延迟期增强消退为低增强。普通超声和超声造影定性诊断≤2cm肝细胞癌的敏感性、阴性预测值、准确性分别为28．6％（14／49）vs79．6％（39／49），P〈0．001；59．8％（52／87）vs90．7％（39／43），P=0．002；63．5％（66／104）vs86．5％（90／104），P〈0．001。结论实时超声造影比普通超声显著提高了对≤2cm肝细胞癌的诊断能力，但假阴性率偏高，应予注意。     

低机械指数连续超声造影在宫颈癌中的应用探讨

目的探讨超声造影在宫颈癌诊断及临床分期中的价值。方法对31例宫颈癌患者进行声诺维超声造影检查，观察肿瘤造影增强特点并对周围组织受侵犯情况进行评估。结果超声造影确诊宫颈癌26例，5例镜下早期浸润癌未能被超声造影识别。宫颈癌超声造影表现为动脉期病灶区灌注早于子宫肌层，呈均匀或不均匀高增强；后期病灶内部造影剂消退早于肌层呈低增强，周边部消退较慢呈稍高增强，可清晰显示病灶范围及周围组织浸润情况。结论超声造影有助于宫颈癌的诊断及浸润范围的评价，可为临床分期及制定治疗方案提供有用信息。     

Influence of Microbubble Size and Pulse Amplitude on Hepatocyte Injury Induced by Contrast-Enhanced Diagnostic Ultrasound

Recent research has found that contrast-enhanced diagnostic ultrasound (CEDUS) has the potential to induce localized injury in the liver, with clearly observable effects for contrast agent doses higher than the recommended dose and maximal mechanical index values. This study was undertaken to assess effects with intermittent exposure at lower contrast doses of infusion and at reduced output to determine thresholds. In addition, microbubble (MB) suspensions with enhanced content of larger MBs were tested. Exposure from a phased array probe (GE Vivid 7 Dimension, GE Vingmed Ultrasound, Horten, Norway) was applied at 1.6 MHz and 1-s intermittent frame trigger for 10 min with infusion of MB suspension with normal (1.8 µm), medium (3.1 µm) and large (5.3 µm) mean MB diameters. The bio-effect endpoint was the count of hepatocytes stained with Evans blue dye in frozen sections. For the normal MBs, the count increased for clinically relevant infusion dosages, but leveled off above 20 µL/kg/min. The evidence of injury declined with time from 30 min to 4 h and was lacking at 24 h. The exposure thresholds in terms of peak rarefactional pressure amplitude, divided by the square root of frequency (in situ mechanical index) were 1.7, 1.3 and 1.2 for the normal-, medium- and large-sized MB suspensions. The enhanced efficacy for larger MBs lends support to the two-criterion model for cavitational microvascular injury during CEDUS. Overall, CEDUS in liver appears to have markedly less potential for induction of tissue injury than has been reported in other tissues, which indicates a satisfactory safety profile for CEDUS using recommended parameters in normal liver.     

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Characterization of Hepatocellular Carcinomas Treated by Ablation: Comparison with Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of low-mechanical-index contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in assessing the response to percutaneous microwave ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma by comparing the results with those of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI). Between August 2005 and July 2011, 182 patients with 231 lesions treated by microwave ablation were included in the study. One month after microwave ablation, CEUS and CEMRI were performed to evaluate therapeutic responses. The difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two methods was analyzed to evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound after microwave ablation. The final diagnosis was based on computed tomography and MRI typical findings of therapeutic response of hepatocellular carcinoma, proven serum tumor marker levels and additional follow-up. The sensitivity of CEUS and CEMRI in evaluating the therapeutic effect of hepatocellular carcinoma was 86.5% and 84.6%; the specificity, 98.3% and 98.9%; and the accuracy, 95.7% and 95.7%.There was no significant statistical disparity between CEUS and CEMRI (p > 0.05).The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 98.1, 97.2 and 97.8% when CEUS was used in combination with CEMRI to evaluate the therapeutic response of hepatocellular carcinoma to microwave ablation. CEUS examination was proven to be a tolerable and easy modality for assessment of the therapeutic effect of microwave ablation and can provide results comparable to those obtained with CEMRI. Combining the results of these two examinations may reduce false-positive and false-negative diagnoses.     

肾盂移行上皮癌：螺旋CT诊断

目的：探讨肾盂移行上皮癌螺旋CT扫描的影像特征和诊断价值。方法：经手术病理证实的肾盂移行上皮癌30例,术前均经螺旋CT皮质期和实质期扫描,少数加做肾盂期扫描。将CT扫描结果并和手术病理作回顾性对照分析。结果：在30例肾盂移行上皮癌中,病理结果为：17例乳头状移行上皮癌,13例非乳头状移行上皮癌。在螺旋CT扫描图像上,17例乳头状移行上皮癌均有肿块形成,13例非乳头状移行上皮癌中的6例见到肿块,其余7例无明显肿块,其中4例示肾盂壁增厚,3例示肾盂和肾窦脂肪浸润消失。皮质期增强扫描仅2例乳头状移动行上皮癌显示明显强化,1例局限浸润型移行上皮癌呈中度均匀强化,余21例均呈轻－中度延[迟（实质期）强化。本组病例中,18例因各种原因有程度不等的肾功能下降。所有30例肾盂癌均无肾轮廓的变化。结论：螺旋CT双期扫描可提高肾盂移行上皮癌的诊断正确率,但更应重视肾实质期的CT扫描。     

超声造影对多房囊性肾细胞癌的诊断价值

目的：探讨利用超声造影（contrast enhanced ultrasound,CEUS） Bosniak分级诊断多房囊性肾细胞癌（multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma,MCRCC）的可行性及其价值.方法：选取2004年7月-2011年12月在复旦大学附属中山医院行CEUS并最终经手术病理证实为MCRCC的患者14例（共14个病灶）,采用CEUS Bosniak分级分析肿瘤的分隔数目、厚度、实质成分以及血供情况.结果：14例MCRCC患者的病灶常规超声图均表现为“蜂窝状”的多房囊性占位,其中5例可见部分实质成分,9例可检测出彩色多普勒血流信号.CEUS声像图显示,14例病灶均可见皮质期增强,平均增强起始时间（14.57±3.15）s,平均达峰值时间（20.21±4.24）s,平均减退时间（29.28±3.98）s.CEUS声像图显示,10例病灶表现为同步增强快速减退,3例同步增强同步减退,1例缓慢增强快速减退.达峰值强度8例表现为高回声,3例等回声,3例低回声.CEUS声像图Bosniak分级：Ⅰ-Ⅱ级（0例）,ⅡF级（3例）,Ⅲ级（6例）,Ⅳ级（5例）.CEUS声像图显示,6例（6/14,42.86％）病灶较常规超声显示分隔数目更多,3例（3/14,21.43％）病灶较常规超声显示分隔厚度更厚.结论：CEUS较常规超声更能清晰显示MCRCC的血供和内部结构,有助于MCRCC的诊断.     

超声造影评价不孕症患者子宫内膜容受性的应用研究

目的通过经阴道超声造影(CEUS)检测子宫内膜血流灌注情况,评价不孕症患者内膜容受性。方法28例健康育龄妇女纳入对照组,29例不孕症妇女纳入研究组。所有纳入者在增殖晚期、排卵期和种植窗期接受经阴道CEUS检查,绘制时间-强度曲线,获取定量分析参数:峰值强度(PI)及曲线下面积(AUC)。结果增殖晚期及排卵期研究组子宫内膜区PI及内膜下区PI、AUC明显低于对照组(P<0.05),种植窗期子宫内膜区及子宫内膜下区PI、AUC两组间均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论经阴道超声造影可检测子宫内膜血流灌注,可成为不孕症患者子宫内膜容受性评估的指标之一。     

原发性肝癌实时谐波超声造影初始强化形式的临床研究

目的探讨原发性肝癌实时谐波超声造影(CEUS)动脉早期初始强化形式及意义。方法观察完整时相,分析初始强化形式及与二维图像、CDFI的关系。结果肝癌病灶的超声造影初始强化表现大致分为“树枝型”、“环绕型”、“混合型”。二维图像“树枝型”多表现为形态不整、边界不清;“环绕型”病灶边界清晰或伴有声晕;CDFI“树枝型”内部血供较丰富,“环绕型”周围血管较丰富。“混合型”二维图像及CDFI表现介于二者之间。结论将超声增强初始强化表现与二维图像、CDFI相结合,为研究肿瘤的影像学表现与生物学行为之间的关系提供了有利的帮助。     

超声造影对肾实性结节的良恶性鉴别诊断价值

目的 探讨超声造影对不同大小的无症状的肾实性结节的良恶性鉴别诊断价值.方法 74例腹部超声检查发现的无症状肾实性结节患者,结节大小(3.44±1.86) cm,分为≤3 cm组和＞3 cm组,分析各组良恶性超声造影图像特点.结果 ≤3 cm组结节33例,其中肾癌22例;＞3cm组结节41例,其中肾癌27例.部分良恶性结节造影图像有交叉表现,以环状增强和高/等增强为诊断条件,超声造影对≤3 cm肾癌诊断的特异度和阳性预测值为81.8％、86.7％.以快/同进、高/等增强、环状增强和非均匀增强为诊断条件,超声造影对＞3 cm肾癌诊断的特异度和阳性预测值为94.1％、92.9％.结论 超声造影对无症状的肾实性结节鉴别诊断具有重要价值.     

Value of Three-Dimensional Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Small Adnexal Masses

The main purpose of this study was to determine whether three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D-CEUS) can provide useful information to distinguish malignant from benign adnexal masses (≤4 cm). Forty-seven patients with 51 adnexal masses were examined with 3D-CEUS. The sonographic features of masses were analyzed. All diagnoses were confirmed by surgical pathology and long-term follow-up results. The 51 masses included 43 benign and 8 malignant lesions. On 3D-CEUS images, benign lesions appeared as round structures formed by sparse and straight capillary vessels. Malignant lesions showed irregular stereo structures with dense and tortuous vascular distribution. A 3D-CEUS scoring system was established. There were no statistically significant differences in scores at each time point between the 20th and 70th seconds, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for this time period was the largest (0.995). A cut-off score of 8 was established, with scores ≥8 being suggestive of malignancy. The 3D-CEUS scoring system had a high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98%). 3D-CEUS is likely to be the new tool to distinguish malignant from benign small adnexal masses and diagnose early ovarian cancer.     

螺旋CT对原发性膀胱移行细胞癌分期的评价

目的评价螺旋CT对原发性膀胱移行细胞癌（TCC）分期的准确性。方法对2000年9月-2009年9月诊治的73例原发性TCC患者,手术前行螺旋CT临床分期与手术后病理分期进行比较。结果 TCC患者手术前螺旋CT临床分期与手术后病理分期相符率为90.5%。7例分期不符的患者中,4例螺旋CT分期低于病理分期,3例高于病理分期。结论螺旋CT对TCC的手术前临床分期较准确;螺旋CT分期误差产生的主要原因是不能确定肿大的淋巴结是否是癌转移。     

Intracavitary Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Management of Post-Surgical Gastrointestinal Fistulas

The goal of this study was to investigate intracavitary contrast-enhanced ultrasound (IC-CEUS) measures in the management of post-surgical gastrointestinal (GI) fistula throughout detection, treatment and follow-up. From June 2010 to August 2016, patients who were administered ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) via a drainage tube for IC-CEUS were enrolled and retrospectively analyzed. They were suspected of having GI anastomotic fistulas or had been found to have fluid collections with ultrasound that were accompanied by abdominal pain or fever after surgical procedures. Forty-two patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled into this study. Twenty-two were confirmed to have GI fistulas confirmed by standard references. None were detected by conventional ultrasound. Although IC-CEUS successfully detected GI fistulas in 16 patients, it missed GI fistulas in 6 patients. One patient was misdiagnosed with a GI fistula. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of the diagnosis of GI fistulas by IC-CEUS were 72.7% (16/22), 95.0% (19/20), 94.1% (16/17), 76.0% (19/25) and 83.3% (35/42), respectively. Twenty peritoneal fluid collections in 14 patients were related to fistulas by IC-CEUS based on the distribution of ultrasound contrast agents. Additional drainage was performed in 14 fistula-related fluid collections. Eight GI fistulas were judged to be cured after IC-CEUS re-evaluation, and the drainage tubes were removed from these patients. In conclusion, IC-CEUS can greatly improve the ability to diagnose post-surgical GI fistulas and may also play an important role in interventional treatment and follow-up.     

The Degree of Contrast Washout on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Distinguishing Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma from Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We aim to assess the role and degree of contrast washout in the differential diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Fifty-six histopathology-confirmed ICC nodules and 184 HCC nodules were included in this study. The nodules' washout degree on CEUS at 1, 2 and 3 min was semi-quantitatively and qualitatively assessed using gray-scale video signal intensity. Semi-quantitative assessment showed that the washout degree of ICCs at 1, 2 and 3 min were significantly lower than those of HCCs (p < 0.001) and similar results were found in the same size range subgroups. There were no significant differences in the washout degree of ICCs between patients with chronic hepatitis and those without. The areas under receiver operating characteristic curves, using the nodules' washout degree at 1, 2 and 3 min to differentiate ICC from HCC, were 0.957, 0.979 and 0.982, respectively. The qualitative assessment showed the washout of ICCs was more rapid and obvious than that of HCCs. At 3 min, moderate and marked washout were observed in all ICCs, but in only 12.5% HCCs (p < 0.001). In conclusion, ICCs displayed much higher degree of contrast washout than HCCs on CEUS, which allowed for differentiation from HCCs.     

常规超声和超声造影对肝脏局灶性病变定性诊断的有用性评估

目的评估常规超声(B型超声 彩色多普勒超声)和超声造影(CEUS)在肝脏局灶性病变(FLL)定性诊断中的有用性。方法模拟日常超声检查工作情景检测常规超声和CEUS对305例FLL的定性诊断性能和诊断者的信心强度。CEUS采用造影剂SonoVue和对比脉冲序列成像技术。结果常规超声和CEUS的诊断正确率对肝细胞性肝癌分别为86.8%、88.6%,对转移性肝癌分别为97.6%、99.2%。对肝内胆管癌、血管瘤、局灶性结节增生、肝硬化结节、不均匀脂肪肝和其他病变,诊断正确率常规超声为26.2%～71.9%,CEUS为46.4%～92.9%,可相应提高19～25个百分点。对所有病变,CEUS均较大幅度地增强了诊断者的信心强度。结论在病灶回声表现典型、同时存在有力支持诊断的临床资料和伴随声像的条件下,常规超声定性诊断FLL的准确程度与CEUS相当,并不一定需要做造影检查。如不具备上述条件,CEUS是值得推荐的。     

A Pilot Study on Diagnostic Performance of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for Detection of Early Cervical Cancer

In this cohort study of 49 women with all stages of cervical cancer and 21 healthy controls, we compared contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) filling pattern and semi-quantitative parameters in the two groups. Participants were examined with conventional grayscale and power Doppler ultrasound (US) followed by CEUS, using a 2.5?mL bolus of intravenous contrast agent. CEUS video clips were analyzed with regard to contrast distribution (focal or global) and semi-quantitative parameters. Focal contrast distribution was found in 3% (1/32) of the women with no tumor versus 89% (34/38) of women with histologically detectable tumor. A semi-quantitative analysis showed that the amount of contrast over a period of the whole tumor (area under the curve [AUC[ 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87–1.0), and the maximal intensity area (AUC 0.94, 95% CI 0.84–1.0) could accurately distinguish tumors from healthy tissue. In conclusion, the CEUS parameters differ significantly between tumors and healthy cervical tissue.     

Logistic Regression Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Conventional Ultrasound Characteristics of Sub-centimeter Thyroid Nodules

The purpose of the study described here was to determine specific characteristics of thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) and explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with conventional ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of TMC. Characteristics of 63 patients with TMC and 39 with benign sub-centimeter thyroid nodules were retrospectively analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors. Four variables were included in the logistic regression models: age, shape, blood flow distribution and enhancement pattern. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.919. With 0.113 selected as the cutoff value, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 90.5%, 82.1%, 89.1%, 84.2% and 87.3%, respectively. Independent risk factors for TMC determined with the combination of CEUS and conventional US were age, shape, blood flow distribution and enhancement pattern. Age was negatively correlated with malignancy, whereas shape, blood flow distribution and enhancement pattern were positively correlated. The logistic regression model involving CEUS and conventional US was found to be effective in the diagnosis of sub-centimeter thyroid nodules.