初探超声造影基于LI-RADS分类标准诊断肝细胞癌的可行性

目的：探讨基于肝脏影像报告和数据管理系统（LI-RADS）的超声造影检查诊断肝细胞癌（HCC）的可行性。方法：回顾性分析108例有肝癌高风险的单发肝脏病变患者的超声造影资料,并基于LI-RADS分类标准对肝脏病变进行分析评估,并与病理或临床诊断结果相对照。结果：108个病灶中LI-RADS 1～5类病灶共106个：1类和2类病灶19个,临床客观诊断结果均为良性（阴性预测值为100％）;3类病灶3个;22个4类病灶中17个为 HCC（阳性预测值为77．3％）;62个5类病灶中有54个为 HCC（阳性预测值为87．1％）。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线下面积为0．83（P＜0．001）。若将LI-RADS 3～5类病灶归为阳性,基于LI-RADS的超声造影检查对HCC的诊断符合率为83．9％（92／106）,敏感度为100％（73／73）,特异度为57．6％（19／33）,阳性预测值为83．9％（73／87）,阴性预测值为100％（19／19）;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,则诊断符合率为87．4％（90／103）,敏感度为100％（71／71）,特异度为59．4％（19／32）,阳性预测值为84．5％（71／84）,阴性预测值为100％（19／19）。结论：超声造影检查中应用LI-RADS分类标准诊断 HCC具有一定的可行性。     

Scintimammography in conjunction with ultrasonography for local breast cancer recurrence in post-mastectomy breast

The aim of this study was to compare the usefulness of (99)Tc(m)-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (MIBI) scintimammography and ultrasonography, alone and in combination, for the detection of chest wall recurrence in the post-mastectomy breast. A total of 41 consecutive post-mastectomy patients (mean age 46.6 years; median age 45 years) with clinical suspicion of breast cancer recurrence were evaluated. For scintimammography all patients received a 740-900 MBq iv injection of (99)Tc(m)-MIBI; planar images were taken 5-10 min post-injection followed by supine single photon emission CT. Breast ultrasonography was performed in each patient using a 7.5 MHz transducer. Both MIBI uptake and ultrasound findings were documented using standard protocols. All patients had fine needle aspiration cytology biopsy (FNAC), core biopsy or excision biopsy for final tissue diagnosis. Of the 41 patients, 24 had true positive signs of local breast cancer recurrence upon ultrasonography, 10 were diagnosed as true negatives, a sensitivity of 86%, specificity 77%, positive predictive value (PPV) 89%, negative predictive value (NPV) 71% and accuracy 83% (p = 0.001). By comparison, scintimammography findings were found to be true positive in 25 patients and true negative in 12 patients - sensitivity 89%, specificity 92%, PPV 96%, NPV 80% and accuracy 90% (p = 0.001). Using a combination of these two modalities, the combined sensitivity was 100%, specificity 77%, PPV 90%, NPV 100% and accuracy 93%. The high NPV of the two studies in combination implies a potential use of this approach to exclude recurrent disease in patients with a low initial index of suspicion and/or when histology is indeterminate.     

Ultrasonography of the rotator cuff: a comparison with arthroscopy in one-hundred-and-ninety consecutive cases

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of high-resolution ultrasonography compared to arthroscopy in the detection of rotator cuff tears. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative ultrasonography (US) with a 10-MHz commercially available linear-array transducer and a standardized study protocol was performed in 190 consecutive shoulders in 185 patients with a history of shoulder pain for more than 3 months. The findings at US were classified into intact cuff, partial-thickness, and full-thickness rotator cuff tears, and correlated with findings at shoulder arthroscopy. RESULTS: US correctly depicted 118 of 124 rotator cuff tears with sensitivity 95%, specificity 94%, PPV 97%, NPV 91% and accuracy 95%, all 94 full-thickness tears (sensitivity 100%, specificity 91%, PPV 91%, NPV 100%, and accuracy 95%), 24 of 30 partial-thickness tears (sensitivity 80%, specificity 98%, PPV 86%, NPV 96%, and accuracy 95%). CONCLUSION: US is a highly accurate diagnostic method for detecting full-thickness rotator cuff tears, but is less sensitive in detecting partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.     

LI-RADS MRI分类标准对肝细胞癌的诊断效能

目的：探讨肝脏影像报告和数据管理系统（LI-RADS）MRI 分级诊断标准对肝细胞癌（HCC）的诊断价值。方法：回顾性分析88例肝脏病变患者的上腹部MRI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：88例患者MRI共发现117个病灶,其中LI-RADS 1～5类病灶99个：1类和2类病灶25个,临床客观诊断结果均为良性（阴性预测值为100％）;3类病灶3个,其中1个为HCC（阳性预测值为33．3％）;4类病灶8个,其中5个为 HCC（阳性预测值为62．5％）;63个5类病灶中61个为 HCC（阳性预测值为96．8％）。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线下面积为0．96（P＜0．001）。若将LI-RADS 1～2类病灶归为阴性,3～5类归为阳性,LI-RADS对诊断 HCC的总符合率为92．9％（92／99）,敏感度为100％（67／67）,特异度为78．1％（25／32）,阳性预测值为90．5％（67／74）,阴性预测值为100％（25／25）。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 HCC的诊断符合率为94．8％（91／96）,敏感度为100％（66／66）,特异度为83．3％（25／30）,阳性预测值为93．0％（66／71）,阴性预测值为100％（25／25）。结论：LI-RADS分类标准对HCC的MRI诊断具有很好的诊断效果,有利于提高MRI诊断报告的准确性。     

Diagnostic imaging of suspected appendicitis in pregnant women: comparison of CT to ultrasonography

Purpose: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of CT versus ultrasonography for the diagnosis of appendicitis in a population of pregnant women. Materials and methods: Radiology records (1988–1999) were searched for results of examinations performed on pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis. Subjects included only women with known intrauterine pregnancies. Thirty-two pregnant women were identified who had been studied by CT, ultrasound, or both. Ten patients had undergone focused abdominal CT with colon contrast, while 29 had undergone abdominal or pelvic ultrasonography with attention to the appendix. Results were compared to surgical pathology or follow-up findings. Results: CT sensitivity was 100 %, specificity 100 %, positive predictive value (PPV) 100 %, negative predictive value (NPV) 100 % and accuracy was 100 %. Ultrasound sensitivity was 100 %, specificity 83 %, PPV 50 %, NPV 100 %, and accuracy 21 %. Conclusion: In this small cohort of gravid females with suspected appendicitis, the sensitivity of focused abdominal CT with colon contrast was equal to that in the nonpregnant patient. In contradistinction to this, abdominal ultrasonography was frequently indeterminate. We hypothesize that ultrasonography is less accurate due to body habitus and the variable location of the appendix during pregnancy.     

MR-arthrography in superior instability of the shoulder: correlation with arthroscopy

Purpose

This study was undertaken to evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in the detection and classification of lesions that may cause superior instability.

Materials and methods

Forty-two consecutive patients with clinical signs of chronic superior instability of the shoulder underwent MR arthrography followed by arthroscopic surgery. For each patient we retrospectively reviewed the MR arthrography and surgical findings.

Results

We detected 31 superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) lesions, all confirmed on arthroscopy with three cases of underestimation: in the detection of SLAP lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of MR arthrography were 100%; in the evaluation of the type of SLAP lesion, sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 78.5%, accuracy was 92.8%, PPV was 71.7% and NPV was 100%. All cases of capsular laxity (13/42) and biceps tendon lesions (3/42) were confirmed on arthroscopy with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of 100%. Eleven cuff lesions were detected on MR arthrography, 10 of which confirmed at arthroscopy: sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 96.8%, accuracy was 97.6%, PPV was 90.9% and NPV was 100%. Associated lesions were found in 38/42 patients.

Conclusions

Superior instability is frequently associated with different anatomical variants or pathological conditions, such as SLAP lesions. The role of MR arthrography is to describe the key features of lesions affecting the superior portion of the shoulder, including location, morphology, extent, and associated injuries and leanatomical variants and to correlate these features with clinical symptoms.     

MRI vs. ultrasound for suspected appendicitis during pregnancy

PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of ultrasound (US) and MRI in evaluation of pregnant patients with a clinical suspicion of appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 33 pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis underwent US and MRI. The original imaging reports generated at the time of presentation were used for data analysis. Pathology reports were used for disease confirmation in patients who underwent appendectomy. When surgery was not performed, a medical record review was performed. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were calculated for US and MRI in the diagnosis of appendicitis. RESULTS: Five of the 33 patients had pathologically-proven appendicitis. Four of the five patients with appendicitis were correctly diagnosed at MRI while one was interpreted as indeterminate (appendix not seen). At US, one was correctly diagnosed, one was incorrectly diagnosed as normal, and three were interpreted as indeterminate (appendix not seen). In 13 patients, a normal appendix was diagnosed at MRI, none of whom had appendicitis. In three patients, a normal appendix was diagnosed at US, one of whom had appendicitis. When the appendix was visualized at MRI, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the diagnosis of appendicitis was 100% for all parameters. When the appendix was visualized at US, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the diagnosis of appendicitis was 50%, 100%, 100%, and 66%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on a relatively small number of true-positives, our data suggests that MRI is very useful for the diagnosis and exclusion of appendicitis in pregnant women.     

320排动态容积CT冠状动脉成像诊断冠心病的初步应用

目的探讨320排动态容积CT冠状动脉成像(CTA)诊断冠心病的准确性。方法 2010年3月至2010年9月对临床拟诊为冠心病的82例患者先后行冠状动脉CTA及冠状动脉造影(ICA)检查,并以ICA为金标准,评估320排CTA诊断冠状动脉狭窄≥50%及≥70%的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值。结果 CTA成像质量4分71例(86.6%),平均心率为67次/min;3分10例(12.2%),平均心率为74次/min;2分1例(1.2%),心率为83次/min;1分0例,全部病例均无阶梯伪影。CTA发现174个狭窄≥50%的节段,ICA发现144个以ICA为金标准,320排CTA诊断狭窄≥50%的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为93.1%、96.0%、77.0%和99.0%。CTA发现40个狭窄≥70%的节段,ICA发现40个。以ICA为金标准,320排CTA诊断狭窄≥70%的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为100%、95.6%、45.5%和100%。结论 320排CTA图像质量好,诊断冠心病准确可靠。     

Comparison between multislice CT and MR imaging in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with pancreatic masses

Purpose

This study compared the results of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnostic evaluation of pancreatic masses.

Materials and methods

Forty patients with clinical and ultrasonographic evidence of pancreatic masses underwent MSCT and MRI. The majority of patients (31/40, 78%) had proven malignant pancreatic tumours (24 ductal adenocarcinoma, six mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, one intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma), whereas the remaining patients (9/40, 22%) were found to have benign lesions (eight chronic pancreatitis, one serous cystadenoma). Results of the imaging studies were compared with biopsy (n=33) and/or histology (n=7) findings to calculate sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive value for correct identification of tumours and evaluation of resectability of malignancies.

Results

Both for tumour identification and resectability, MSCT and MRI had comparable diagnostic accuracy, with no statistically significant differences between them. Tumour identification CT/MRI: accuracy 98/98%, sensitivity 100/100%, specificity 88/88%, PPV 97/97%, NPV 100/100%; tumour resectability CT/MRI: accuracy 94/90%, sensitivity 92/88%, specificity 100/100%, PPV 100/100%, NPV 78/70%.

Conclusions

MRI represents a valid diagnostic alternative to CT in the evaluation of patients with pancreatic masses, both for correct identification and characterisation of primary lesions and to establish resectability in the case of malignancies. New high-field MRI equipment allows optimal imaging quality with good contrast resolution in evaluating the upper abdomen.     

Integration of magnetic resonance imaging in characterization of inflammatory breast disorders

Objective

Assess the efficacy of using different imaging modalities aiming at proper characterization of benign and malignant inflammatory breast disorders.

Improving liver lesion characterisation using retrospective fusion of FDG PET/CT and MRI

AimTo compare retrospectively fused FDG PET/CT and MRI (PET/MRI) to FDG PET/CT and MRI for characterisation of indeterminate focal liver lesions as malignant or benign in patients with a known primary malignancy.Materials and methodA retrospective review of 70 patients (30 females, 40 males; mean age 56 ± 14 years) with 150 indeterminate lesions after FDG PET/CT and MRI (mean scan time interval 21 ± 11 days). HERMES® software was used to fuse PET/CT and MRI scans which were reviewed by 2 readers using the Likert score (scale 1–5) to characterise lesions as benign (1–3) or malignant (4–5). Final diagnosis was determined by histopathology or follow up imaging. Results for fused PET/MRI were compared to PET/CT and MRI alone.ResultsFor detection, MRI and fused PET/MRI detected all the lesions while PET/CT detected 89.4%. Characterisation of liver lesions as malignant on PET/CT alone yielded sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of 55.6%, 83.3%, 66.7%, 83.3%, 55.6% respectively and 67.6%, 92.1%, 80%, 89.3%, 74.5% for MRI, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV for characterising lesions as malignant increased to 91.9%, 97.4%, 94.7%, 97.1%, 92.5% with PET/MRI fusion. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of fused PET/MRI for characterising lesions as malignant remained superior to PET/CT and MRI.ConclusionRetrospective fusion of PET with MRI has improved characterisation of indeterminate focal liver lesions compared to MRI or FDG PET/CT alone.     

Additional value of qualitative strain ultrasound elastography and strain ratio in predicting thyroid malignancy

Objective

To detect if strain ultrasound elastography and strain ratio have additional value to the conventional grey scale ultrasound in predicting thyroid malignancy.

Perfusion CT can predict tumoral grading of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Objectives

To describe perfusion CT features of locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and to evaluate correlation with tumor grading.

Methods

Thirty-two patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were included in this study. Lesions were evaluated by P-CT and biopsy after patient's informed consent. P-CT parameters have been assessed on a large single and on 6 small intratumoral ROIs. Values obtained have been compared and related to the tumor grading using Mann–Whitney U test. Sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy in predicting tumor grading have been calculated for cut-off values chosen by using ROC curves.

Results

Out of 32 lesions, 12 were classified as low grade and 20 as high grade. A statistically significant difference between high and low grade neoplasms were demonstrated for PEI and BV parameters. PEI and BV cut-off values were respectively 17.8 HU and 14.8 ml/100 g. PEI identified high grade neoplasms with a 65% sensitivity, 92% specificity, 93% PPV, 61% NPV and 75% accuracy. BV identified high grade neoplasms with a 80% sensitivity, 75% specificity, 84% PPV, 69% NPV, 78% accuracy. Considering both PEI and BV, P-CT identified high grade lesions with a 60% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% PPV, 60% NPV and 75% accuracy.

Conclusions

PEI and BV perfusion CT parameters proved their efficiency in identifying high grade pancreatic adenocarcinoma.     

Accuracy of High-Resolution MRI with Lumen Distention in Rectal Cancer Staging and Circumferential Margin Involvement Prediction

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with lumen distention for rectal cancer staging and circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement prediction.

Materials and Methods

Seventy-three patients with primary rectal cancer underwent high-resolution MRI with a phased-array coil performed using 60-80 mL room air rectal distention, 1-3 weeks before surgery. MRI results were compared to postoperative histopathological findings. The overall MRI T staging accuracy was calculated. CRM involvement prediction and the N staging, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were assessed for each T stage. The agreement between MRI and histological results was assessed using weighted-kappa statistics.

Results

The overall MRI accuracy for T staging was 93.6% (k = 0.85). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for each T stage were as follows: 91.8%, 86.2%, 95.5%, 92.6% and 91.3% for the group ≤ T2; 90.4%, 94.6%, 86.1%, 87.5% and 94% for T3; 98,6%, 85.7%, 100%, 100% and 98.5% for T4, respectively. The predictive CRM accuracy was 94.5% (k = 0.86); the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 89.5%, 96.3%, 89.5%, and 96.3% respectively. The N staging accuracy was 68.49% (k = 0.4).

Conclusion

MRI performed with rectal lumen distention has proved to be an effective technique both for rectal cancer staging and involved CRM predicting.     

Value of 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose imaging with dual-head gamma camera in coincidence mode: comparison with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in patients with suspected recurrent head and neck cancers

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the value of dual-head gamma-camera (DHGC) imaging in the coincidence mode using 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose in differentiating recurrent tumor from posttreatment changes in previously treated head and neck cancer. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective study performed with the approval of our Institutional Review Board. Twenty-nine patients with suspected recurrent head and neck cancers were prospectively enrolled in this study. Dual-head gamma-camera imaging in the coincidence mode followed computed tomography (CT; n = 24)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; n = 5) within a period of 1 week (mean = 3.5 days) in all patients. Thirteen patients had definite pathologic confirmation of recurrence by undergoing a biopsy. Sixteen patients, however, did not have a definite pathologic confirmation and were followed clinically. The mean duration of follow-up for the subgroup of patients who were followed clinically was 22.8 months (range: 4-48 months). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for CT/MRI and DHGC imaging in the coincidence mode were calculated. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of CT/MRI in the detection of recurrent cancer were 76.5%, 58.3%, 72.2%, 63.6%, and 69%, respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity (100%), NPV (100%), and accuracy (82.8%) of DHGC imaging in the coincidence mode were superior to that of CT/MRI. Dual-head gamma-camera imaging in the coincidence mode had a specificity (58.3%) and PPV (77.3%) comparable to those of CT/MRI. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that modified positron emission tomography with DHGC imaging in the coincidence mode is a useful tool in the assessment of recurrent head and neck cancer.     

US, colour-Doppler US and fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to correlate the diagnosis of benign or malignant thyroid nodules obtained with grey-scale ultrasound (US) and colour-Doppler US with the cytological findings after US-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and June 2005, 516 thyroid nodules in 420 patients (181 solitary thyroid nodules and 239 multiple nodules) were prospectively evaluated with US, colour-Doppler US and US-guided FNA. The nodules were classified as sonographically benign, suspicious or malignant in accordance with established US criteria. Cytological findings were classified as inadequate, benign, indeterminate, suspicious or malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy of US and colour-Doppler US were evaluated using FNA as the reference procedure. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and overall accuracy values of grey-scale US were 46%, 73%, 34%, 82% and 67%, respectively, for solitary thyroid nodules and 35%, 72%, 14%, 90% and 68%, respectively, for multiple nodules. The evaluation of nodule vascularity with colour-Doppler US produced a slight increase in sensitivity but a slight reduction in specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid nodules cannot be accurately characterised using grey-scale US or colour-Doppler US.     

MR增强扫描诊断膝关节前交叉韧带部分撕裂

目的:评价MR增强扫描对膝关节前交叉韧带(ACL)部分撕裂的诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析有手术资料的56例患者的膝关节平扫加增强MR扫描图像,分析计算MRI对ACL部分撕裂的诊断价值。结果:MRI平扫诊断ACL 部分撕裂的诊断符合率、特异度、敏感度分别为73．2％、89．2％、82．1％;MRI平扫加增强扫描诊断ACL部分撕裂的诊断符合率、特异度、敏感度分别为91．1％、100％、82．1％。MR平扫加增强对诊断前交叉韧带部分撕裂的诊断符合率明显高于单纯MR平扫,差异有显著性意义(P<0．05);而两者间诊断特异度及敏感度的差异无显著性意义(P>0．05)。结论: 膝关节MR平扫加增强扫描对诊断ACL部分撕裂优于常规MRI扫描。     

Prostate cancer: evaluation with endorectal MR imaging and three-dimensional proton MR spectroscopic imaging

PURPOSE: To establish the additional value of MR Spectroscopy (3D CSI MRS Three-dimensional Chemical Shift Imaging Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy) to endorectal MR in the diagnosis and grading of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR and 3D CSI MR spectroscopy were performed in 53 patients with suspicion of prostate cancer on the basis of rectal exploration and/or transrectal ultrasound and/or the PSA levels. All the examinations were performed with a 1.5 T imager using an endorectal coil. We acquired axial and coronal T2-weighted FSE sequences, axial T1-weighted SE sequences and PRESS 3D CSI (Point Resolved Spectroscopy 3D Chemical Shift Imaging) sequences localized on the axial T2 images so as to include the prostatic gland while excluding the periprostatic fat. The MR examinations were evaluated by two radiologists unaware of the clinical data, transrectal ultrasound findings, PSA levels and histological findings. The MR and 3D CSI MRS findings were compared with the biopsy findings in 22 cases and with material obtained from laparoscopic prostatectomy in 31 cases. RESULTS: The histological examination revealed adenocarcinoma in 37 cases, prostatitis in 2 cases and no alterations in the remaining 14 cases. The morphologic MR scan showed a sensitivity of 76%, a specificity of 56%, an accuracy of 70%, a PPV of 80% and a NPV of 50%. By combining MR and 3D CSI MRS we obtained a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 81%, an accuracy of 91%, a PPV of 92% and a NPV of 87%. Elevated choline concentrations were found both in tumours with a low Gleason score (18 cases) and in those with a high Gleason score (19 cases); instead we found markedly reduced (n=9) or absent (n=4) citrate only in the tumours with a high Gleason score, while we found normal citrate levels in the 18 tumours with a low Gleason score. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D CSI MRS improved the reliability of endorectal MR in the diagnosis and characterisation of prostatic cancer. Moreover, the 3D CSI MRS findings demonstrated a linear correlation with tumour grade.     

Improving the Specificity of CT Angiography for the Diagnosis of Hepatic Artery Occlusion after Liver Transplantation in Suspected Patients with Doppler Ultrasound Abnormalities

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the diagnostic performance of CT angiography (CTA) could be improved by modifying the conventional criterion (anastomosis site abnormality) to diagnose hepatic artery occlusion (HAO) after liver transplantation (LT) in suspected patients with Doppler ultrasound (US) abnormalities.Materials and MethodsOne hundred thirty-four adult LT recipients (88 males and 46 females; mean age, 52.7 years) with suspected HAO on Doppler US (40 HAO and 94 non-HAO according to the reference standards) were included. We evaluated 1) abnormalities in the HA anastomosis, categorized as a cutoff, ≥ 50% stenosis at the anastomotic site, or diffuse stenosis at both graft and recipient sides around the anastomosis, and 2) abnormalities in the distal run-off, including invisibility or irregular, faint, and discontinuous enhancement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of the conventional (considering anastomosis site abnormalities alone) and modified CTA criteria (abnormalities in both the anastomosis site and distal run-off) for the diagnosis of HAO were calculated and compared using the McNemar test.ResultsBy using the conventional criterion to diagnose HAO, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 100% (40/40), 74.5% (70/94), 62.5% (40/64), 100% (70/70), and 82.1% (110/134), respectively. The modified criterion for diagnosing HAO showed significantly increased specificity (93.6%, 88/94) and accuracy (93.3%, 125/134) compared to that with the conventional criterion (p = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively), although the sensitivity (92.5%, 37/40) decreased slightly without statistical significance (p = 0.250).ConclusionThe modified criterion considering abnormalities in both the anastomosis site and distal run-off improved the diagnostic performance of CTA for HAO in suspected patients with Doppler US abnormalities, particularly by increasing the specificity.     

Follow-up of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: Preliminary validation of digital tomosynthesis and contrast enhanced ultrasound in detection of medium- to long-term complications

AIM: To validate the feasibility of digital tomosynthesis of the abdomen (DTA) combined with contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in assessing complications after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) by using computed tomography angiography (CTA) as the gold standard. METHODS: For this prospective study we enrolled 163 patients (123 men; mean age, 65.7 years) referred for CTA for EVAR follow-up. CTA, DTA and CEUS were performed at 1 and 12 mo in all patients, with a maximum time interval of 2 d. RESULTS: Among 163 patients 33 presented complications at CTA. DTA and CTA correlated for the presence of complications in 32/33 (96.96%) patients and for the absence of complications in 127/130 (97.69%) patients; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of DTA were 97%, 98%, 91%, 99%, and 98%, respectively. CEUS and CTA correlated for the presence of complications in 19/33 (57.57%) patients and for the absence of complications in 129/130 (99.23%) patients; the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of CEUS were 58%, 99%, 95%, 90%, and 91%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of combining DTA and CEUS together in detecting EVAR complications were 77%, 98% and 95%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combining DTA and CEUS in EVAR follow-up has the potential to limit the use of CTA only in doubtful cases.