Dataset Information

Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound as a Second-Line Diagnostic Modality in Noninvasive Diagnostic Algorithms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and its role as a second-line imaging modality after gadoxetate-enhanced MRI (Gd-EOB-MRI) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among at risk observations.

Materials and methods

We prospectively enrolled participants at risk of HCC with treatment-naïve solid hepatic observations (? 1 cm) of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LR)-3/4/5/M during surveillance and performed Gd-EOB-MRI. A total of one hundred and three participants with 103 hepatic observations (mean size, 28.2 ± 24.5 mm; HCCs [n = 79], non-HCC malignancies [n = 15], benign [n = 9]; diagnosed by pathology [n = 57], or noninvasive method [n = 46]) were included in this study. The participants underwent CEUS with sulfur hexafluoride. Arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) and washout on Gd-EOB-MRI and CEUS were evaluated. The distinctive washout in CEUS was defined as mild washout 60 seconds after contrast injection. The diagnostic ability of Gd-EOB-MRI and of CEUS as a second-line modality for HCC were determined according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and the Korean Liver Cancer Association and National Cancer Center (KLCA-NCC) guidelines. The diagnostic abilities of both imaging modalities were compared using the McNemar's test.

Results

The sensitivity of CEUS (60.8%) was lower than that of Gd-EOB-MRI (72.2%, p = 0.06 by EASL; 86.1%, p < 0.01 by KLCA-NCC); however, the specificity was 100%. By performing CEUS on the inconclusive observations in Gd-EOB-MRI, HCCs without APHE (n = 10) or washout (n = 12) on Gd-EOB-MRI further presented APHE (80.0%, 8/10) or distinctive washout (66.7%, 8/12) on CEUS, and more HCCs were diagnosed than with Gd-EOB-MRI alone (sensitivity: 72.2% vs. 83.5% by EASL, p < 0.01; 86.1% vs. 91.1% by KCLA-NCC, p = 0.04). There were no false-positive cases for HCC on CEUS.

Conclusion

The addition of CEUS to Gd-EOB-MRI as a second-line diagnostic modality increases the frequency of HCC diagnosis without changing the specificities.

SUBMITTER: Kang HJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7909851 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound as a Second-Line Diagnostic Modality in Noninvasive Diagnostic Algorithms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Kang Hyo Jin HJ Lee Jeong Min JM Yoon Jeong Hee JH Han Joon Koo JK

Korean journal of radiology 20201103 3

<h4>Objective</h4>To investigate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and its role as a second-line imaging modality after gadoxetate-enhanced MRI (Gd-EOB-MRI) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among at risk observations.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>We prospectively enrolled participants at risk of HCC with treatment-naïve solid hepatic observations (≥ 1 cm) of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LR)-3/4/5/M during surveillance and performed Gd ...[more]

PMID: 33236540

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer in the world, and its incidence rate will continue to increase. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is feasible as a rapid examination for early hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis. However, considering the possible causes of false positives caused by ultrasound, its diagnostic value is still controversial. Therefore, the study conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the application value of CEUS in the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsThe PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid Technologies (OVID), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP Information (VIP), and Wanfang databases were searched to retrieve articles on the use of CEUS for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The literature quality assessment was performed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) quality assessment tool. The meta-analysis was performed using STATA 17.0 to fit the bivariate mixed effects model, calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and corresponding 95% CI, summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC), area under the curve (AUC), and 95% confidence interval (CI). The publication bias of the included literature was evaluated using the DEEK funnel plot.ResultsUltimately, 9 articles, comprising 1,434 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity test found that I2>50%, using a random effects model. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the CEUS had a combined sensitivity of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.86-0.95), a combined specificity of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.56-0.99), a combined PLR of 13.47 (95% CI: 1.51-120.46), a combined NLR of 0.09 (95% CI: 0.05-0.14), a combined DOR of 154.16 (95% CI: 15.93-1,492.02), a diagnostic score of 5.04 (95% CI: 2.77-7.31), and a combined AUC of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93-0.97). The correlation coefficient of the threshold-effect analysis was 0.13 (P>0.05). The results of the regression analysis showed that the country of publication (P=0.14) and the size of the lesion nodules (P=0.46) were not sources of heterogeneity.ConclusionsLiver CEUS has an advantage in the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, with high sensitivity and specificity, and has clinical application value.

Project description:BackgroundThe aim of modern medicine is to safely classify diseases for successful therapy without invasive measures. Sonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are potent imaging techniques. However, without contrast medium, the informative value of the 3 native methods is limited. The advantages of sonography are: no radiation exposure or previously known physically harmful interactions with tissue, proportionate disappearance of a contrast agent risk, no (probably irreversible) contrast agent deposits, and no risk of renal insufficiency. But, is that enough to compete with of even exceed CT and MRI?SummaryIn this review, the state of the art of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the abdominal cavity is presented. The remarkable diagnostic possibilities can unfortunately only be demonstrated here in a small number of impressive, typical case studies underpinned by the literature, so that, from one's own perspective, the full spectrum of CEUS can be used by oneself or initiated. Within the limits of physics, the real-time dynamics of CEUS enable conclusions to be drawn, so that with the current technology, sonography, including expansion by contrast, can be considered superior to other imaging methods. It is not uncommon for CEUS to have the value of a control and reference method.Key messagesSonography very often enables reliable diagnostics. The introduction of a contrast agent in sonography has led to a quantum leap similar to that of other imaging techniques. Already natively, the real-time representation of dynamic events leads to a certain superiority, i.e., complete observation of the inflow and outflow phases of the contrast medium and the resulting diagnostic; tissue-specific differentiation options provide a unique selling point. Further advantages of the first-choice imaging diagnostic method are: a lack of radiation exposure, repeatability of the examination at any time, local independence, a negligible allergy rate compared to the contrast agents of other methods, and a lack of kidney and thyroid exposure or excluded deposits.

Project description:BackgroundThe UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the characterisation of focal liver lesions where the results of standard unenhanced ultrasound are inconclusive. A further recommendation is for CEUS to replace other imaging modalities. However, little is currently known about the diagnostic pathways in the National Health Service (NHS) followed by patients with potential liver lesions. The aim of this study was to identify the diagnostic pathways for a number of representative hospital trusts and record the clinicians' views on patient experiences of these processes through a series of semi-structured interviews with UK clinicians (radiologists and sonographers) (N = 7). This study was undertaken in the broader context of a larger research project where the overarching research question is focused on patient preferences for CEUS and other imaging modalities, and how these impact on patient quality of life (QOL).ResultsThe results from the semi-structured interviews with UK clinicians revealed that there is a great deal of heterogeneity in diagnostic pathways followed by patients with potential liver lesions which differ both within and between hospitals. In terms of the patient experience, the clinicians believed that a combination of the more patient-friendly ultrasound process, and the fact that scan results are given to patients in 80-90% of cases on the day, as well as the problems inherent to other scan modalities (claustrophobia, anxiety) would lead to patients preferring ultrasound compared with other imaging modalities (CT or MR). However, current clinical practice means that patient choice is virtually non-existent.ConclusionsThe significant variation in diagnostic pathways across the NHS will require further standardisation through local agreements if contrast-enhanced ultrasound is to replace other imaging modalities in characterising focal liver lesions in line with NICE Diagnostics Guidance. The gradual development of patient choice of modalities may necessitate a change of practice in radiology processes.

Dataset Information

Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound as a Second-Line Diagnostic Modality in Noninvasive Diagnostic Algorithms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound as a Second-Line Diagnostic Modality in Noninvasive Diagnostic Algorithms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets