Efficacy of contrast enhanced grey scale ultrasound in characterisation of hepatic focal lesions: A pilot study |
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Authors: | P Joshi RA George AK Tyagi Anamika Sinha |
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Institution: | aClassified Specialist (Radiodiagnosis), INHS Asvini, Colaba, Mumbai 400005, India;bSenior Advisor (Radiodiagnosis), Command Hospital (Air Force), Bangalore 560007, India;cSenior Advisor (Surgery and Surgical Oncology), Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt, India;dClassified Specialist (Pathology), Command Hospital (Northern Command), C/o 56 APO, India. |
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Abstract: | BackgroundContrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has recently gained widespread acceptance as an adjunct to conventional grey scale ultrasound. The present pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of this technique in characterisation of hepatic focal lesions.MethodsAdult patients who had at least one focal liver lesion underwent ultrasound evaluation in regular and contrast mode before and after intravenous administration of sulphur hexafluoride. The diagnoses were confirmed by comparison with a reference standard (multidetector CT), response to treatment or pathological correlation.ResultsThe rate of correct diagnosis for unenhanced ultrasound was 54%, CEUS was 72% and multidetector CT (MDCT) was 92%. A comparison of unenhanced ultrasound versus CEUS using the McNemar test yielded a p value of 0.0704 (>0.05). However, comparison of CEUS versus MDCT using the McNemar test yielded a p value of 0.0265 (<0.05). Additionally, comparison of unenhanced ultrasound versus MDCT using the McNemar test yielded a p value of <0.0001.ConclusionCEUS increases diagnostic efficacy over unenhanced ultrasound but does not have any significant advantages over MDCT. Currently it may be used as a problem solving tool in atypical haemangiomas, echogenic focal liver lesions, contrast sensitivity and to avoid multiple studies utilising ionising radiation. |
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Keywords: | Contrast enhanced ultrasound Contrast media Hepatic focal lesions |
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