Pulsed Doppler in the diagnosis of small liver tumours

Doppler ultrasound detection of the blood flow associated with liver tumours was studied in primary hepatocellular carcinoma as well as in metastatic liver cancer and haemangioma. Doppler signals were detected from 48 of 55 hepatocellular carcinomas (87.3%), seven of 25 metastatic liver cancers (28.0%) and four of 30 haemangiomas (13.3%). The waveforms of Doppler signals were divided into two types: the pulsatile wave, which was detected from hepatocellular carcinoma (in 35 of the 48 with Doppler signals) and metastatic liver cancer (in all seven with positive signals), and the continuous wave, which was seen from hepatocellular carcinoma (41 out of 48) and haemangioma (in all four with signals). In six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transcatheter arterial embolization, the pulsatile wave detected before therapy disappeared immediately thereafter and it is possible that this type of wave originates from tumour vessels. In the study of small, hypoechoic, mass lesions appearing in liver cirrhosis, such signals were also demonstrated, even in eight of 10 small hepatocellular carcinomas less than 2 cm in diameter, whilst they were not detected from nine regenerative nodules related to cirrhotic change. In conclusion, the Doppler ultrasound method may be a useful technique in detecting blood flow within liver tumours and may offer the possibility of a differential diagnosis of small tumours.     

Hepatic malignant tumour versus cavernous haemangioma: differentiation on multiple breath-hold turbo spin-echo MRI sequences with different T2-weighting and T2-relaxation time measurements on a single slice multi-echo sequence

AIM: We evaluated the signal intensity change on breath-hold turbo spin-echo (TSE) T2-weighted sequences using different echo times (TE) and T2-relaxation time measurements on a single slice eight-echo sequence in the differentiation of hepatic malignancy from cavernous haemangioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breath-hold TSE T2-weighted axial images of the liver were performed at TEs of 80, 120 and 160 ms in 34 patients with focal liver lesions (13 with cavernous haemangiomas, 14 with hepatocellular carcinomas and seven with metastases). The lesion percentage signal intensity change on the lower TE image to the higher TE image was calculated. T2-relaxation time was measured on a single slice eight-echo sequence. RESULTS: The TE pair 80/160 ms on breath-hold TSE T2-weighted sequences gave a performance (100% sensitivity, 92% specificity, 95% positive predictive value and 100% negative predictive value) better than other TE pairs in differentiating haemangioma from malignancy. Addition of fat-suppression compromised the diagnostic performance for all TE-pairs. The use of T2 relaxation time threshold of < 112 ms as indicative of malignant lesion achieved a 100% sensitivity, 77% specificity, 88% positive predictive value and 100% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: Percentage signal intensity change on breath-hold TSE T2-weighted sequences at TE 80/160 ms appears to be a quick and potentially useful means of differentiating hepatic malignancy from haemangioma.     

Color flow Doppler characterization of focal hepatic lesions.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of color flow Doppler sonography for the specific diagnosis of focal hepatic lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Color flow Doppler images of 118 focal hepatic lesions in 108 patients were analyzed prospectively. In most patients, liver disease was suspected or known to be present before the Doppler images were obtained. Experienced sonologists obtained and interpreted all sonograms. The lesions were classified, according to their color flow pattern, into two main categories: lesions with internal vascularity and lesions with no internal vascularity. The color flow Doppler pattern of each lesion was correlated with the diagnosis of the lesion on a lesion-by-lesion basis. One hundred two lesions were proved by biopsy and 16 lesions were confirmed by evaluation with other imaging techniques. Lesions included 29 hepatocellular carcinomas, 64 metastases, one cholangiocarcinoma, and 24 benign lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of vascularity as shown by color Doppler imaging in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma were determined. RESULTS. The majority of hepatocellular carcinoma lesions (76%) had internal vascularity. Most of the metastases (67%) and benign lesions (75%) had no internal vascularity. When the presence of internal vascularity was used as the discriminating criterion, the sensitivity of color flow Doppler findings for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was 0.76. The specificity of internal vascularity for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma vs other focal lesions was 0.69; for hepatocellular carcinoma vs metastases it was 0.67. CONCLUSION. Although most hepatocellular carcinomas have internal vascularity on color flow Doppler images, a significant number of metastases also have internal vascularity. This overlap limits the usefulness of color flow Doppler imaging for distinguishing hepatocellular carcinoma from metastatic tumors.     

Diagnostic accuracy of radionuclide imaging using 131I nor-cholesterol or meta-iodobenzylguanidine in patients with hypersecreting or non-hypersecreting adrenal tumours

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of nor-cholesterol and meta-iodobenzylguanidine radionuclide imaging in two separate groups of patients with adrenal tumours to characterize lesions as adenoma or pheochromocytoma. We studied 75 patients (22 male and 53 female, mean age 47 +/- 15 years) with hypersecreting (n = 32) or non-hypersecreting (n = 43) unilateral adrenal tumours detected by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance scans. 131I nor-cholesterol adrenal scintigraphy was performed in 41 patients. Meta-[131I]iodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) imaging was acquired in the other 34 patients. Pathology examinations (n = 58) or computerized tomography follow-up studies (n = 17) were obtained. Adrenal lesions were represented by 44 adenomas, four cysts, one myelolipoma, one pseudotumour, one ganglioneuroma, 16 pheochromocytomas, three carcinomas, four metastases and one sarcoma. Radionuclide studies were qualitatively evaluated and the corresponding results were classified as true positive, true negative, false positive and false negative. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy as well as positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The diagnostic values of nor-cholesterol scintigraphy in identifying adrenal adenomas were sensitivity 100%, specificity 71%, accuracy 95%, positive predictive value 94% and negative predictive value 100%; of note, two false positive cases were observed represented by a pheochromocytoma and a myelolipoma. The diagnostic values of MIBG scintigraphy in recognizing pheochromocytoma were sensitivity 100%, specificity 95%, accuracy 97%, positive predictive value 94% and negative predictive value 100%; only one false positive case occurred consisting of a carcinoma. It is concluded that, in the large majority of cases, adrenal scintigraphy using nor-cholesterol or MIBG is able to characterize specific lesions such as adenoma and pheochromocytoma, respectively. These findings show relevant clinical impact, particularly in patients with non-hypersecreting adrenal lasions. Radiotracer selection depends on clinical patient history and department availability; since benign adenomas are the most common cause of non-hypersecreting tumours, nor-cholesterol should be the first choice followed by MIBG if nor-cholesterol shows normal images. However, rare as well as unusual findings may be observed; nor-cholesterol uptake may occasionally be also found in non-adenoma tumours such as myelolipoma and pheochromocytoma. Similarly, MIBG accumulation may occur not only in lesions arising from medullary chromaffin tissue, but also rarely in cortical adrenal carcinoma.     

Percutaneous ethanol injection of the supplying artery to hepatocellular carcinoma that is not amenable to conventional treatment

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection of the supplying artery (PEISA) to the tumour in the palliative management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is not amenable to conventional treatments. A total of 23 cases of HCC, measuring from 3.1 cm to larger than 15 cm (median 5.4 cm) in 17 cirrhotic patients, were treated by PEISA. PEISA was used to control rapid growth of the tumour in seven patients and to reduce abdominal discomfort caused by rapid expansion of the tumour in 10 patients. Tumours with arterial Doppler signals persisting after PEISA underwent repeated treatment. The follow-up period ranged from 2-48 months. PEISA was achieved in 69 out of 76 attempts (90.8%). The amount of ethanol injected on each occasion ranged from 2.5-33 ml. Follow-up colour Doppler scanning showed complete elimination of tumour Doppler signals in 22 out of 23 lesions (95.7%). Following treatment, one tumour disappeared, 13 tumours shrank and nine tumours were unchanged in size. All patients with abdominal discomfort had relief after treatment. The common complications of PEISA were local pain and fever. In conclusion, PEISA is effective at treating painful HCC unsuitable for conventional treatment.     

Ultrasonographic detection of hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation of preoperative ultrasonography and resected liver pathology

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of ultrasonography for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who underwent surgical liver resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The preoperative ultrasonography reports of 103 patients who underwent hepatic resection surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The patients had chronic liver disease with good liver function and a relatively normal liver echo-texture. The presence of a mass or masses in the resected part of the liver segments on preoperative ultrasonography was regarded as possible hepatocellular carcinoma, and these results were compared with the surgically resected hepatic lobes or segments. Accuracy for detection was assessed on a lesion-by-lesion basis, on a segment-by-segment basis, and on a patient basis. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven hepatocellular carcinomas were found in 244 hepatic segments of 103 patients. One hundred and one of 157 hepatocellular carcinomas were detected using ultrasonography in 97 patients resulting in a sensitivity of 64%. In six patients, a solitary hepatocellular carcinoma was missed in each patient, a patient sensitivity being 94%. Using ultrasonography, 87 of 100 (87%) hepatocellular carcinomas larger than 2 cm in diameter, and 14 of 57 (25%) hepatocellular carcinomas 2 cm or smaller in diameter were revealed. On the basis of segment-by-segment analysis, the sensitivity was 78% (99 of 127 segments), specificity was 97% (114 of 117 segments), accuracy was 87% (213 of 244 segments), positive predictive value was 97% (99 of 102 segments), and negative predictive value was 80% (114 of 142 segments). CONCLUSION: In patients with chronic liver disease and good hepatic function, ultrasonography has a sensitivity of 94% in the identification of affected patients, but for individual lesions, the sensitivity is only 64%.     

Tc-99m PMT hepatobiliary scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of extrahepatic metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE: The authors evaluated the utility of hepatobiliary scintigraphy for tissue characterization of extrahepatic metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using Tc-99m N-pyrydoxyl-5-methyltriptophane (Tc-99m PMT). METHODS: We examined 13 patients with HCC (29 extrahepatic metastases and 3 benign bone lesions) and 5 patients with other cancers (15 extrahepatic metastases). Thirty minutes to 6 hours after intravenous administration of Tc-99m PMT, planar (all 47 lesions) and SPECT (42 lesions) images were obtained. Accumulation of Tc-99m PMT in the lesion was evaluated visually by comparing bone scintigraphy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or all of these. RESULTS: Findings were positive in 12 of 13 patients with HCC and extrahepatic metastases (16 of 29 on planar imaging and 21 of 26 on SPECT). Findings in all three benign bone lesions and 15 metastatic lesions from non-HCC primary lesions were negative (0 of 18 on planar imaging, 0 of 16 on SPECT). There were no false-positive findings in these lesions. Lesion-by-lesion sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were 55%, 100%, 72%, 100%, and 58% by planar imaging and 81%, 100%, 88%, 100%, and 76% by SPECT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the high specificity and reasonable sensitivity, Tc-99m PMT appears to be useful for the differential diagnosis of extrahepatic metastases from HCC. SPECT improves the detectability of small or faint accumulation in metastases from HCC.     

彩色多普勒超声对良恶性乳腺肿瘤的研究

目的：探讨彩色多普勒超声（ColourDopplerUltrasonography．CDU）在判断乳腺肿物良恶性和腋淋巴结转移的价值。材料和方法：作者分析了58例乳腺实性肿物的彩色多普勒超声和临床怀疑乳腺癌且CDU为阳性的30例病人的腋淋巴结CDU扫查结果。结果：发现34例乳腺癌中26例CDU有阳性表现，而24例良性肿物则均无阳性结果。得出CDU对乳腺癌的敏感性为77％，特异性100％，阳性符合率100％，肿癌直径小于1cm和浸润性小叶癌的CDU阳性率最低。对照术后病理，10例腋淋巴结CDU阳性者均已有淋巴结浸润，另有4例已受累的淋巴结CDU为阴性。CDU对腋淋巴结受累敏感性为71％，特异性100％，阳性符合率100％。结论：CDU对乳腺肿物良恶性以及腋淋巴结转移的判断上有重要的应用价值。     

Contrast enhancement patterns of hepatic tumours during the vascular phase using coded harmonic imaging and Levovist to differentiate hepatocellular carcinoma from other focal lesions

The purpose of the study was to assess contrast enhancement patterns of hepatic tumours during the vascular phase using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and Levovist to differentiate hepatocellular carcinoma from other hepatic tumours. 89 hepatic tumours in 82 consecutive patients were evaluated using coded harmonic ultrasound imaging. The procedure used a phase inversion harmonic technique and coded technology. We observed images for 2 min from the beginning of the administration as the vascular phase using continuous transmission and intermittent transmissions of 1 s or 2 s. The contrast agent Levovist was administered intravenously as a bolus infusion of 2.5 g. Tumour vessels with flow spreading into the tumour and/or homogeneously stained hyperechoic images were observed in 34 of the 41 hepatocellular carcinomas (sensitivity, 82.9%; specificity, 93.8%). Peripheral enhancements were characteristic of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic hepatic tumours (sensitivity, 60.0% and 83.3%; specificity, 65.5% and 76.4%, respectively). Pooling at the periphery or throughout the tumour was apparent only in haemangioma (sensitivity, 76.5%; specificity, 100%). A tortuous feeding artery and spoke-like vascularization were evident only in the two focal nodular hyperplasias. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound using coded harmonic ultrasound imaging and Levovist provided detailed information about tumour vascularity and contrast enhancement patterns in hepatic tumours.     

The use of duplex Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast cancer

Duplex Doppler ultrasound was used to examine 50 breast lesions in 45 patients. Examination was confined to the region of interest, which in most cases was a palpable lump, and the corresponding area of the contralateral breast as a control. In only one patient was a Doppler signal obtained from a normal breast. Nine of the 50 lesions were believed to represent simple breast cysts at sonography and were not treated further. The remaining 41 lesions were excised; 22 were carcinomas and 19 benign (fibrocystic disease 7, fibroadenomas 5, miscellaneous 7). Doppler signals were obtained in 20 of the carcinomas and three of the benign lesions. In this series, the sensitivity of duplex Doppler ultrasound for the detection of breast carcinoma was 91%, and the specificity 89%. The positive predictive value was 87% and the negative predictive value 93%.     

大鼠小肝癌病理特性及其与影像学诊断关系的实验研究

目的： 探讨小和微小肝癌的病理特点及其和ＭＲＩ、彩色多谱勒超声（ 简称彩超） 、肝动脉和门静脉造影诊断的关系。材料和方法： 应用大鼠肝癌模型进行ＭＲＩ、彩超和肝动脉与门静脉造影, 并与组织病理对照。结果： 大于５ｍ ｍ 的癌灶主要为肝动脉供血, 门静脉在瘤体周边参与供血, 细胞分化相对较差,３ － ５ ｍ ｍ 的癌灶有动脉与门脉双重供血, 细胞分化高, 小于３ｍ ｍ 的癌灶以门静脉供血为主, 细胞分化高。大于５ｍ ｍ 的癌灶检出率ＭＲＩ、ＨＡＡ 和彩超为１００ ％ , 而ＨＰＡ 为７５ ％ ;３ ～５ ｍ ｍ 的癌灶检出率彩超和ＭＲＩ 为１００ ％ 和９５ ％ , ＨＡＡ、ＨＰＡ 为７５ ％ 和８５ ％ ; ２ ～３ｍ ｍ 的癌灶检出率ＭＲＩ 较高 （７１ ．１５ ％ ） 、ＨＰＡ 和彩超为５３ ．８５ ％ 和５１ ．９２ ％ , ＨＡＡ 为２６ ．９２ ％ ;小于２ ｍ ｍ 的癌灶检出率ＨＰＡ 较高为６０ ．７８ ％ ,余均低。结论：小和微小肝癌（ 小于５ ｍ ｍ ） 存在肝动脉和门静脉双重血供或以门静脉为主要血供是其病理特点,ＭＲＩ 在检查小肝癌尤其微小肝癌方面优于彩超。     

Dynamic sonography of hepatic tumors

OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to propose and evaluate a dynamic sonography protocol for the characterization of hepatic tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 107 patients with focal liver lesions that initially had been found on conventional sonograms. The final diagnoses for the lesions were hepatocellular carcinoma in 60 patients, cholangiocellular carcinoma in six, metastatic carcinoma in 24, hemangioma in 10, and focal fat-spared region in seven. The pulse inversion harmonic imaging mode and a galactose-based contrast agent (Levovist) were used. Dynamic sonography was designed to obtain vascular-phase (composed of the arterial phase and the portal phase) images of the focal lesion and liver-parenchymal-phase images of the whole liver in a series obtained after a bolus injection of the contrast agent. RESULTS: If the whole-tumor or mosaic enhancement patterns (arterial phase) and/or the reticular enhancement (parenchymal phase) are regarded as positive findings for hepatocellular carcinoma, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of dynamic sonography in our study were 92%, 96%, and 96%, respectively. If a ring enhancement (arterial to portal phase) or a clear defect (parenchymal phase) or both are regarded as positive findings for cholangiocellular carcinoma or metastasis, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were 90%, 95%, and 88%, respectively. If puddle enhancement (portal phase) is regarded as a positive finding for hemangioma, the figures for sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were 60%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Also, the tumors that showed no focal sign in the liver parenchymal phase were all benign lesions, such as hemangiomas or focal fat-spared regions. CONCLUSION: Dynamic sonography in a protocol combining pulse inversion harmonic imaging and an IV bolus injection of the contrast agent proved to be an effective tool in characterizing liver tumors.     

Radiofrequency thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: using contrast-enhanced harmonic power doppler sonography to assess treatment outcome

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the accuracy of contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography in assessing the outcome of radiofrequency thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with 65 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (1-5 cm in diameter; mean diameter, 2.5 cm) were studied using unenhanced and contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography before and after IV administration of a microbubble contrast agent. The examinations were repeated after treatment of the tumors with radiofrequency ablation. Findings of the Doppler studies were compared with those of dual-phase helical CT, which were used as points of reference for assessing treatment outcome. RESULTS: Before radiofrequency treatment, intratumoral blood flow was revealed by unenhanced power Doppler sonography in 48 (74%) of 65 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules. After injection of the contrast agent, intratumoral enhancement was observed in 61 (94%) of 65 hepatocellular carcinomas (p < 0.01). After radiofrequency treatment, all 51 (84%) of the 61 hepatocellular carcinomas found to be necrotic on helical CT scans failed to show enhancement on power Doppler sonograms. In nine of the 10 lesions that showed a residual viable tumor on helical CT scans, persistent intratumoral enhancement-matching the enhancing areas on helical CT images-was revealed by power Doppler sonography. These nine hepatocellular carcinomas were subjected to repeated radiofrequency thermal ablation with the guidance of contrast-enhanced power Doppler sonography. Complete necrosis was seen after the second treatment session in six of the nine lesions. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced harmonic power Doppler sonography is an accurate technique for assessing the outcome of radiofrequency thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma and may be useful in guiding additional treatment in patients with incomplete response to initial efforts.     

液化碘油混合无水乙醇栓塞治疗小肝癌的临床研究

目的分析超液化碘油与无水乙醇混合后栓塞治疗小肝癌的临床疗效,探讨治疗小肝癌的新方法。方法对经彩超CT或MRI检查发现并经病理证实的小肝癌患者88例共126个病灶,进一步行肝动脉造影,经数字减影血管造影(DSA)证实后,对小肝癌供血动脉行超选择性插管,并以超液化碘油混入无水乙醇(1:0.5)对发现的126个小肝癌病灶充分栓塞。结果 88例患者共126个小肝癌病灶全部行超选择性插管栓塞术,术后无严重并发症发生.术前病灶直径0.8～3.0 cm,平均直径2.75 cm,术后3月复查,肿瘤完全消失16例,72例肿瘤不同程度缩小,肿瘤平均直径1.45 cm。术后1、3、5年复发率分别为17%(15/88)、25%(22/88)、36%(32/88)。术后1、3、5年生存率分别为100%(88/88)、86%(76/88)、68%(60/88)。结论超液化碘油混合无水乙醇栓塞治疗小肝癌疗效显著,术后并发症少,术后复发率低于外科手术治疗,可作为治疗小肝癌的选择方法之一。     

多层螺旋CT双动脉期与门静脉期增强扫描对原发性肝癌检出价值的比较

目的 评价多层螺旋CT(MSCT)双动脉期与门静脉期增强扫描对原发性肝癌(HCC)癌灶检出的价值.方法 回顾性分析94例经病理证实的HCC患者的MSCT平扫、动脉早期(20～22 s)、动脉晚期(34～37 s)和门静脉期(60 s)资料,并采用X2检验分别对≤3 cm和>3 cm的病灶在各期相的检出率进行比较.结果 94例术中共发现318个病灶,其中≤3 cm者86个,>3 cm者232个.动脉早期、动脉晚期和门静脉期检出≤3 cm病灶的敏感度分别为39.5%(34个)、67.4%(58个)、44.2%(38个),差异有统计学意义(X2=15.38,P<0.01).上述3期检出>3 cm病灶的敏感度分别为89.6%(208个)、99.6%(231个)和99.1%(230个),差异有统计学意义(X2=39.09,P<0.01);阳性预测值均为100%.上述3期检出病灶的总敏感度分别为76.1%(242个)、90.9%(289个)和84.3%(268个),阳性预测值分别为88.3%(242/274)、86.3%(289/335)和93.7%(268/286),差异均有统计学意义(X2值分别为25.62和9.29,P值均<0.05).结论 双动脉期扫描有利于提高病灶的检出率,特别是对于小HCC,动脉晚期的扫描显得尤其重要.     

Bone scintigraphy and the added value of SPECT (single photon emission tomography) in detecting skeletal lesions.

Skeletal metastases are one of the major clinical problems for the oncologist. Over the last several decades bone scintigraphy has been used extensively in detecting bone involvement since it can provide information about disease location, prognosis and the effectiveness of treatment. Bone scan offers the advantage of total body examination, and images bone lesions earlier than other techniques. In this paper the main clinical problems related to the most common applications of bone scan in breast, prostate, lung cancer and other tumours are discussed. The experience carried out at the National Cancer Institute of Milan by using bone SPECT to detect single bone metastases is reported. One hundred and eighteen patients with bone metastases (from different tumour types: breast, lung, prostate, lymphomas, etc.) were studied by planar scintigraphy, SPECT and other radiological modalities (CT, MRI or X-rays). The overall performances of bone SPECT were sensitivity: 90.5% (19/21), specificity 92.8% (90/97), positive predictive value 73% (19/26), negative predictive value 97.8% (90/92), accuracy 92.4% (109/118). Considering breast cancer, the most frequent pathology in our series, and the lumbar spinal tract, the most common skeletal segment involved, the figures of merit of SPECT were: sensitivity 100% (4/4), specificity 95.3% (41/43), positive predictive value 66.7% (4/6), negative predictive value 100% (41/41), accuracy 95.7% (45/47). In conclusion bone SPECT showed very good performances, in particular improving the predictive value of planar scan in the diagnosis of vertebral metastases.     

LI-RADS CT分类标准对肝细胞癌的诊断效能评价

目的：探讨肝脏影像报告和数据管理系统（LI-RADS）CT分级诊断标准对肝细胞癌（HCC）的临床诊断价值。方法：回顾性分析158例肝癌高危患者肝脏病变患者的上腹部CT资料,并根据LI-RADS分类标准对病变进行分析评估,并与临床客观诊断结果进行比较。结果：158例患者的 CT 图像共发现179个肝内病灶,其中 LI-RADS 1～5类病灶共167个：1类和2类48个,临床客观诊断结果均为良性（阴性预测值为100％）;3类4个;4类6个,其中2个病灶的术后病理结果为 HCC（阳性预测值为33．3％）;5类109个,其中103例为 HCC（阳性预测值为94．5％）。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线下面积为0．89（P＜0．001）。若将LI-RADS 1～2类病灶归为阴性,3～5类病灶归为阳性,LI-RADS对诊断肝癌的总符合率为91．6％（153／167）,检出 HCC 的敏感度为100％（105／105）,特异度为77．4％（48／62）,阳性预测值为88．2％（105／119）,阴性预测值为100％（48／48）。若将LI-RADS 3类病灶排除,1～2类病灶归为阴性,4～5类病灶归为阳性,LI-RADS对肝内已检出病灶的诊断符合率为93．9％（153／163）,检出 HCC 的敏感度为100％（105／105）,特异度为82．8％（48／58）,阳性预测值为91．3％（105／115）,阴性预测值为100％（48／48）。结论：LI-RADS分类标准对 HCC 的CT诊断具有很好的诊断效果,有利于提高CT诊断报告的准确性。     

The role of colour flow Doppler in the investigation of the salivary gland tumour

AIMS: Ultrasound is a highly effective imaging technique to determine salivary gland tumours and may help to identify many benign lesions. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether colour Doppler is able to further differentiate the malignant tumour. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with salivary gland lesions were prospectively assessed using ultrasound imaging with colour flow and power Doppler. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) was measured and the pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) calculations were performed on the pulsed wave traces. The real time ultrasound morphology and the Doppler information were correlated with the histology. RESULTS: In 18 of the 56 patients, no internal colour flow or power Doppler changes could be detected. The real time ultrasound morphology diagnosed benign disease with sensitivity of 89.7% with specificity of 57.1%. The positive predictive value was 93.6%. There were no significant differences in the colour Doppler appearances in terms of vessel type or intratumour distribution which could separate benign from malignant conditions. However, there was statistical discrimination for PI and RI values (P = 0.0006, P = 0.0002, respectively). No malignant lesions were seen when the PI was less than 1.8 and RI was less than 0.8. The PSV was elevated in several cases (> 50 cm per s) but there was no statistical correlation with malignancy. CONCLUSION: The risk of malignancy increases by a third when the colour Doppler demonstrates increased intratumour vascular resistance (RI > 0.8 and PI > 1.8), with positive predictive value of 97.3% (sensitivity 75.5%, specificity 85.7%).Bradley, M. J. (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 759-762.     

The value of combined pulsed-Doppler and high-resolution real-time sonography of the extracranial carotid system

Duplex carotid sonography (DCS) (high-resolution real-time with combined pulsed Doppler) was performed in 374 symptomatic patients. Biplane angiographic correlation was available in 172 extracranial carotid systems. Degree of stenosis was estimated by the Doppler spectrum and by real-time appearances and categorized as: normal; less than 10% diameter reduction; 10-49% diameter reduction; 50-99% diameter reduction; or occlusion. The overall accuracy of sonography was 88%. Normal arteries were identified with a specificity of 96% and a positive predictive value of 97%. Hemodynamically, significant lesions were differentiated from less severe disease with an accuracy of 95%, a positive predictive value of 87%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. Occlusions were identified with a sensitivity of 80% and a positive value of 91%. Duplex sonography is an accurate, noninvasive method of evaluating the extracranial carotid system.     

Duplex Doppler sonography of small (<3 cm diameter) liver tumours: intralesional arterial flow does not exclude cavernous haemangioma

In small liver lesions (<3 cm diameter), detection of internal arterial flow with duplex Doppler sonography is thought to virtually exclude the diagnosis of cavernous haemangioma. We retrospectively reviewed 114 consecutive small lesions confirmed or suspected to be haemangiomas. Doppler sonography revealed intralesional arterial flow in four lesions for which correlative imaging studies were diagnostic of haemangioma, and for which stability was documented with follow-up sonography. We conclude that intralesional arterial flow should not be interpreted as conclusive evidence that a small liver lesion is not a haemangioma. If the presence of arterial flow within a small liver lesion prompts concern that the lesion is not a haemangioma, our findings suggest that a correlative imaging study should be considered before percutaneous biopsy is performed.