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Mohebbi A, Mohammadzadeh S, Mohebbi S, Mohammadi A, Tavangar SM. Diagnostic performance of ultrasound elastography in differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2025; 50:633-645. [PMID: 39138663 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-024-04502-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound elastography (USE) for characterizing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). METHODS The protocol was pre-registered a priori at ( https://osf.io/namvk/ ). Using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library, we found studies up to April 20, 2024 by searching HCC, ICC, and USE as keywords. Parameters of USE were directly compared between HCC and ICC patients using random-effects bivariate model on STATA 17.0, MedCalc 20.0, and Psychometrica. Trim & fill method and sensitivity analysis were also performed. RESULTS Eighteen studies were included with 1057 patients, consisting of 863 HCC lesions, 188 ICC lesions, and 6 mixed lesions. The pooled Emean values of HCC and ICC were 28.3 (CI = 19.8 to 36.8) and 44.0 (CI = 20.9 to 67.2). HCC tumors were 34.3% softer than ICC while peritumoral tissue in HCC lesions was 75% stiffer than ICC lesions based on Emean. The strain value index (tumoral-to-peritumoral ratio) in HCC patients was 49.4% less than that of ICC patients. USE demonstrated a pool sensitivity of 87% (CI = 73-95%), specificity of 82% (CI = 65-92%), positive likelihood ratio of 4.8 (CI = 2.2 to 10.3), negative likelihood ratio of 0.16 (CI = 0.07 to 0.37), and diagnostic odds ratio of 31 (CI = 7 to 127) in differentiation of ICC from HCC. CONCLUSION By evaluating tumoral and pre-tumoral stiffness, along with strain value index, USE may provide a valuable quantitative diagnostic tool for accurately differentiating HCC and ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Mohebbi
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences., Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Mohammadzadeh
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences., Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadra Mohebbi
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences., Tehran, Iran
| | - Afshin Mohammadi
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Science, Urmia, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Tavangar
- Department of Pathology, Dr. Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Chronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Șirli R, Popescu A, Jenssen C, Möller K, Lim A, Dong Y, Sporea I, Nürnberg D, Petry M, Dietrich CF. WFUMB Review Paper. Incidental Findings in Otherwise Healthy Subjects, How to Manage: Liver. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2908. [PMID: 39199678 PMCID: PMC11352778 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
An incidental focal liver lesion (IFLL) is defined as a hepatic lesion identified in a patient imaged for an unrelated reason. They are frequently encountered in daily practice, sometimes leading to unnecessary, invasive and potentially harmful follow-up investigations. The clinical presentation and the imaging aspects play an important role in deciding if, and what further evaluation, is needed. In low-risk patients (i.e., without a history of malignant or chronic liver disease or related symptoms), especially in those younger than 40 years old, more than 95% of IFLLs are likely benign. Shear Wave liver Elastography (SWE) of the surrounding liver parenchyma should be considered to exclude liver cirrhosis and for further risk stratification. If an IFLL in a low-risk patient has a typical appearance on B-mode ultrasound of a benign lesion (e.g., simple cyst, calcification, focal fatty change, typical hemangioma), no further imaging is needed. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) should be considered as the first-line contrast imaging modality to differentiate benign from malignant IFLLs, since it has a similar accuracy to contrast-enhanced (CE)-MRI. On CEUS, hypoenhancement of a lesion in the late vascular phase is characteristic for malignancy. CE-CT should be avoided for characterizing probable benign FLL and reserved for staging once a lesion is proven malignant. In high-risk patients (i.e., with chronic liver disease or an oncological history), each IFLL should initially be considered as potentially malignant, and every effort should be made to confirm or exclude malignancy. US-guided biopsy should be considered in those with unresectable malignant lesions, particularly if the diagnosis remains unclear, or when a specific tissue diagnosis is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Șirli
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (R.Ș.); (A.P.); (I.S.)
- Center for Advanced Research in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Alina Popescu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (R.Ș.); (A.P.); (I.S.)
- Center for Advanced Research in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Christian Jenssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Krankenhaus Märkisch Oderland GmbH, 15344 Strausberg, Germany;
- Brandenburg Institute for Clinical Ultrasound (BICUS) at Medical University Brandenburg “Theodor Fontane”, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Kathleen Möller
- Medical Department I/Gastroenterology, SANA Hospital Lichtenberg, 10365 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Adrian Lim
- Department of Imaging, Imperial College London and Healthcare NHS Trust, London W6 8RF, UK;
| | - Yi Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China;
| | - Ioan Sporea
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania; (R.Ș.); (A.P.); (I.S.)
- Center for Advanced Research in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Dieter Nürnberg
- Brandenburg Institute for Clinical Ultrasound (BICUS) at Medical University Brandenburg “Theodor Fontane”, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and Philosophy and Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany;
| | - Marieke Petry
- Department Allgemeine Innere Medizin (DAIM), Kliniken Hirslanden Beau Site, Salem und Permanence, 3013 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Christoph F. Dietrich
- Department Allgemeine Innere Medizin (DAIM), Kliniken Hirslanden Beau Site, Salem und Permanence, 3013 Bern, Switzerland;
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Wang X, Liu B, Wu C, Huang Z, Zhou Y, Wu X, Zheng Y. Shear wave trajectory detection in ultra-fast M-mode images for liver fibrosis assessment: A deep learning-based line detection approach. ULTRASONICS 2024; 142:107358. [PMID: 38901149 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2024.107358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Stiffness measurement using shear wave propagation velocity has been the most common non-invasive method for liver fibrosis assessment. The velocity is captured through a trace recorded by transient ultrasonographic elastography, with the slope indicating the velocity of the wave. However, due to various factors such as noise and shear wave attenuation, detecting shear wave trajectory on wave propagation maps is a challenging task. In this work, we made the first attempt to use deep learning methods for shear wave trajectory detection on wave propagation maps. Specifically, we adopted five deep learning models in this task and evaluated them by using a well-acknowledged metric based on EA-Angular-Score (EAA) and task-specific metric based on Young s-Score (Ys) in the line-detection field. Furthermore, we proposed an end-to-end framework based on a Transformer and Hough transform, named Transformer-enhanced Hough Transform (TEHT). It took a wave propagation map as input image and directly output the slope of the shear wave trajectory. The framework extracts multi-scale local features from wave propagation maps, employs a deformable attention mechanism for feature fusion, identifies the target line using the Hough transform's voting mechanism, and calculates the contribution of each scale through channel attention. Wave propagation maps from 68 patients were utilized in this study, with manual annotation performed by a rater who was trained as a radiologist, serving as the reference value. The evaluation revealed that the SLNet model exhibited F-measure of EA and Ys values as 40.33 % and 40.72 %, respectively, while the TEHT model showed F-measure of EA and Ys values as 80.96 % and 98.00 %, respectively. TEHT yielded significantly better performance than other deep learning models. Moreover, TEHT demonstrated strong concordance with the gold standard, yielding R2 values of 0.967 and 0.968 for velocity and liver stiffness, respectively. The present study therefore suggests the application of the TEHT model for assessing liver fibrosis owing to its superiority among the five deep learning models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Chonglin Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Zihao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yongjin Zhou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoming Wu
- Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yongping Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Research Institute for Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Alhyari A, Görg C, Tahat S, Trenker C, Dietrich CF, Westhoff CC, Safai Zadeh E, Findeisen H. Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Elastography of Focal Splenic Lesions: Feasibility and Diagnostic Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4964. [PMID: 37894331 PMCID: PMC10605882 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Nontraumatic focal splenic lesions (FSL) are rare, and the need for tissue diagnosis must be weighed against the very high risk of bleeding after a splenic biopsy. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and diagnostic potential of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography as a noninvasive method for different benign and malignant FSLs. No human studies on the elastographic characteristics of FSL exist. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of 34 patients with FSLs, who underwent abdominal B-mode ultrasound (B-US), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and standardized ARFI examinations between October 2021 and December 2022 at our university hospital. The inclusion criteria were: (i) FSL size ≥ 1 cm; (ii) 10 valid ARFI measurements of the FSL, as well as of the normal splenic parenchyma (NSP) as an in vivo reference; and (iii) diagnostic confirmation of FSL etiology based on histological examination (8/34; 23.5%) or clinical evaluation, which included a clinical and sonographic follow-up (FU), CEUS morphology, and/or morphology on cross-sectional imaging (26/34; 76.5%). CEUS was performed on all patients and the FSLs were classified according to the current guidelines; cross-sectional imaging was available for 29/34 (85.3%). The mean FU duration was 25.8 ± 30.5 months. The mean ARFI velocity (MAV) of the FSL (MAVL), the NSP (MAVP), and the ratio of the MAVL to the MAVP (MAVL/P) were calculated and compared. RESULTS Of the 34 FSLs, 13 (38.2%) were malignant (mFSL) and 21 (61.8%) were benign (bFSL). The MAVL of all 34 FSLs (2.74 ± 0.71 m/s) was lower than the MAVP (3.20 ± 0.59 m/s), p = 0.009, with a mean MAVL/P ratio of 0.90 ± 0.34. No significant differences in the MAVL were observed between the mFSL (2.66 ± 0.67 m/s) and bFSL (2.79 ± 0.75 m/s). There were also no significant differences between the MAVP in patients with mFSL (3.24 ± 0.68 m/s) as compared to that in the patients with bFSL (3.18 ± 0.55 m/s). Likewise, the MAV L/P ratio did not differ between the mFSL (0.90 ± 0.41 m/s) and bFSL (0.90 ± 0.30 m/s) groups. CONCLUSION ARFI elastography is feasible in evaluating the stiffness of FSLs. The lesions' stiffness was lower than that of the NSP, regardless of the FSL etiology. However, differentiation between benign and malignant FSL with the help of this elastographic method does not appear possible. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Alhyari
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipp University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Ultrasound Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipp University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
| | - Christian Görg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipp University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Ultrasound Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipp University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
| | - Suhaib Tahat
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Ultrasound Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipp University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
| | - Corinna Trenker
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Ultrasound Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipp University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Immunology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipps University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Frank Dietrich
- Department Allgemeine Innere Medizin (DAIM), Kliniken Hirslanden Bern, Beau Site, Salem und Permanence, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christina C Westhoff
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipps University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
| | - Ehsan Safai Zadeh
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Ultrasound Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipp University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Imaging-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hajo Findeisen
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Ultrasound Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipp University of Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, Red Cross Hospital Bremen, 28199 Bremen, Germany
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Dong Y, Koch J, Alhyari A, Safai Zadeh E, Görg C, Wang WP, Berzigotti A, Dietrich CF. Ultrasound Elastography for Characterization of Focal Liver Lesions. ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2022; 61:399-410. [PMID: 36516951 DOI: 10.1055/a-1957-7370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFocal liver lesions (FLL) are typically detected by conventional ultrasound or other
imaging modalities. After the detection of FLL, further characterization is essential, and
this can be done by contrast-enhanced imaging techniques, e.g., contrast-enhanced ultrasound
(CEUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or by means of biopsy with histological
evaluation. Elastographic techniques are nowadays integrated into high-end ultrasound systems
and their value for the detection of severe liver fibrosis and cirrhosis has been shown in
studies and meta-analyses. The use of an ultrasound elastographic technique for the
differentiation of malignant and benign liver tumors is less well-established. This review
summarizes the current data on utility and performance of ultrasound elastography for the
characterization of FLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jonas Koch
- Department Allgemeine Innere Medizin, Kliniken (DAIM) Hirslanden Beau Site, Salem und Permanence, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Amjad Alhyari
- Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Infectiology, Interdisciplinary Center of Ultrasound Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ehsan Safai Zadeh
- Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Infectiology, Interdisciplinary Center of Ultrasound Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christian Görg
- Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Infectiology, Interdisciplinary Center of Ultrasound Diagnostics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Wen-Ping Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Christoph F. Dietrich
- Department Allgemeine Innere Medizin, Kliniken (DAIM) Hirslanden Beau Site, Salem und Permanence, Bern, Switzerland
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Gu JH, Zhu L, Jiang TA. Quantitative Ultrasound Elastography Methods in Focal Liver Lesions Including Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Diagnosis to Prognosis. Ultrasound Q 2021; 37:90-96. [PMID: 34057911 DOI: 10.1097/ruq.0000000000000491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The ability of ultrasound elastography to diagnose focal liver lesions and determine their prognoses including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. At present, radiofrequency ablation and liver resection are the most common treatments for HCC. However, the survival rate remains disappointing because of recurrences and postoperative liver failure, necessitating the development of noninvasive approaches. There is currently no systematic definition of an elastic technique for measuring liver stiffness to predict the recurrence of HCC after radiofrequency ablation and postoperative liver failure. In this review, recent advances in ultrasound elastography for the diagnosis and prognosis of focal liver lesions are discussed including HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiong-Hui Gu
- Department of Ultrasonography, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Is There a Place for Elastography in the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma? J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10081710. [PMID: 33921086 PMCID: PMC8071375 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Elastography can provide information regarding tissue stiffness (TS). This study aimed to analyze the elastographic features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the factors that influence intratumoral elastographic variability in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: This prospective study included 115 patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma evaluated between June 2016–November 2019. A total of 88 HCC nodules visualized in conventional abdominal ultrasound (US) met the inclusion criteria and underwent elastographic evaluation. Elastographic measurements (EM) were performed in HCC and liver parenchyma using VTQ (Virtual Touch Quantification), a point shear wave elastography (pSWE) technique. In all patients, we performed contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and the final diagnosis of HCC was established by contrast-enhanced-CT or contrast-enhanced-MRI. Results: The mean VTQ values in HCCs were 2.16 ± 0.75 m/s. TS was significantly lower in HCCs than in the surrounding liver parenchyma 2.16 ± 0.75 m/s vs. 2.78 ± 0.92 (p < 0.001). We did not find significant differences between the first five and the last five EM, and the intra-observer reproducibility was excellent ICC: 0.902 (95% CI: 0.87–0.950). However, the tumor size, heterogeneity, and depth correlated with higher intralesional stiffness variability (p < 0.001). Conclusions: VTQ brings additional information for HCC characterization. Intra-observer reproducibility for both HCC and liver parenchyma was excellent. Knowing the stiffness of HCC’s might endorse an algorithm-based approach towards focal liver lesions (FLLs) in liver cirrhosis.
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Gad MAM, Eraky TE, Omar HM, Abosheaishaa HM. Role of real-time shear-wave elastogarphy in differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma from other hepatic focal lesions. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 33:407-414. [PMID: 32345847 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has an increasing incidence worldwide, and is considered the second cause of cancer-related death. AIM The aim of the study is to assess the usefulness of real-time shear-wave elastography in differentiating HCC from other hepatic focal lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS The current study was conducted on 110 patients in addition to 10 healthy subjects, divided into four groups as follows: liver cirrhosis, HCC, hepatic focal lesions other than HCC, and control. Demographic, laboratory and imaging data were collected and then elastographic assessment of the hepatic focal lesions and the surrounding liver parenchyma using elastograph point quantification (ElastPQ) (iU22x MATRIX, Philips) was done. RESULTS ElastPQ (iU22x MATRIX, Philips) has shown its ability to differentiate between HCC and cystic focal lesions, HCC and cholangiocarcinoma, and HCC and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). Cystic lesions demonstrated lower stiffness in comparison to HCC; however, cholangiocarcinoma and FNH demonstrated higher stiffness in comparison to HCC. ElastPQ was unable to differentiate between stiffness in both 'HCC and hemangioma' and 'HCC and metastatic focal lesions'. ElastPQ showed that HCC, cystic focal lesions, and cholangiocarcinoma had lower stiffness in comparison to their surrounding liver parenchyma, whereas FNH had higher stiffness in comparison to the surrounding liver parenchyma. ElastPQ showed that the surrounding liver parenchyma of the HCC group has the highest stiffness amongst all studied hepatic focal lesions surrounding liver parenchyma. CONCLUSION 'Point' shear-waves elastography (ElastPQ; Philips iU22x MATRIX, Philips) is a noninvasive, quantitative and nonradiating method for evaluation of tissue elasticity, and is helpful in differentiating HCC from other hepatic focal lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdy A Mawgood Gad
- Department of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine Benha University
| | - Tamer E Eraky
- Department of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine Benha University
| | - Hazem M Omar
- Department of Diagnostic and Intervention Radiology, National Liver Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufya University, Egypt
| | - Hazem Maarouf Abosheaishaa
- Department of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine Benha University
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Hashimoto R, Chang KJ. Endoscopic ultrasound guided hepatic interventions. Dig Endosc 2021; 33:54-65. [PMID: 32145117 DOI: 10.1111/den.13661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Intervention for liver disease has predominantly been performed through the percutaneous approach. However, as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) applications have expanded, there have emerged various EUS-guided interventions for liver disease, a space we call "Endo-Hepatology". EUS-guided liver biopsy can be considered the "forerunner" of Endo-Hepatology and has become a clinical option for patients requiring histologic diagnosis and staging of their liver disease. EUS also enables direct access to the portal vein. Subsequently, many procedures are being explored, such as angiography, measurement of the portosystemic pressure gradient, portal vein sampling to detect cancer cell or DNA, and EUS-guided transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation. Since the transducer is close to the liver, especially the left and caudate lobes, EUS can be used as a rescue when the percutaneous approach is not favorable and EUS-guided treatments of liver tumor, cyst and abscess have been reported. This review summarizes the available studies of EUS-guided intervention in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rintaro Hashimoto
- H. H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Center, University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, USA
| | - Kenneth J Chang
- H. H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Center, University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, USA
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Abdel-Latif M, Fouda N, Shiha OAG, Rizk AA. Role of shear wave sono-elastography (SWE) in characterization of hepatic focal lesions. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43055-020-00186-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Focal liver lesions are considered a major problem during abdominal examinations. Shear wave sono-elastography (SWE) has been demonstrated to be helpful in assessment of liver fibrosis degree.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of SWE in characterization of benign and malignant hepatic focal lesions.
Results
Seventy-five (75) patients with variable focal liver lesions (52 malignant and 23 benign) were analyzed by SWE. The stiffness values of surrounding hepatic parenchyma were also measured as a reference for readings of the focal lesion stiffness values. Final diagnosis was achieved by core needle biopsy (in 1 benign and 38 malignant cases) and contrast enhanced CT and MRI (in all cases).
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) was the stiffest malignant lesion with median stiffness value (35.9 kPa). Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) was the stiffest benign lesion (26.7 kPa).
The median stiffness value of malignant focal lesions (20.22 kPa) was significantly higher than that of benign focal lesions (10.68 kPa) (P value < 0.001).
ROC curve of SWE median stiffness values for differentiation of benign from malignant hepatic focal lesions had AUC = 0.834, and using cut of value 14.165 kPa, yielding 98.1% sensitivity, 78.3% specificity, and 92% accuracy.
Conclusion
SWE has high accuracy in differentiating benign form malignant liver focal lesions with promising results in individual characterization of some malignant (HCC and CCC) and benign hepatic focal lesion (FNH from other benign lesions).
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Serag DM, Ebeid EA, Dessouky BA, Omar H. Role of shear wave elastography in characterization of hepatic focal lesions. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43055-020-00178-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Elastography is a recently developed diagnostic method that aims to evaluate tissue stiffness. Its utility is based on the fact that pathological tissues are generally stiffer than surrounding healthy tissues which often show up as a hard lesion. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a new technique based on shear waves that has been implemented in diagnostic ultrasound (US) systems. The aim of this study is to study the role of shear wave elastography in differentiation between benign and malignant hepatic focal lesions.
Results
The study was conducted on 110 patients (92 males, 18 females) with a mean age of 51.7 years. Age range was from 30 to 70 years; 28 patients were diagnosed with benign lesions, and 82 with malignant lesions. SWE shows that there is a significant difference in stiffness between malignant and benign lesions with p value = 0.002 and with mean ± SD of 10.3 ± 6.31 kPa for the benign lesions and 16.2 ± 9.32 kPa for the malignant group. A cutoff value of 13.24 was selected to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions using the SWE mean providing sensitivity 78.04%, specificity 71.42%, and accuracy 64.2%.
Conclusion
SWE is a good tool in the differentiation of benign and malignant hepatic focal lesions.
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Lupsor-Platon M, Serban T, Silion AI, Tirpe A, Florea M. Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Step Forward for Better Evaluation Using Ultrasound Elastography. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102778. [PMID: 32998257 PMCID: PMC7601664 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) attracts a lot of attention, due to the increasing prevalence and progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Consequently, new non-invasive, cost-effective diagnostic methods are needed. This review aims to explore the diagnostic performance of ultrasound (US) elastography in NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC, adding a new dimension to the conventional US examination—the liver stiffness quantification. The vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE), and 2D-Shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) are effective in staging liver fibrosis in NAFLD. VCTE presents the upside of assessing steatosis through the controlled attenuation parameter. Hereby, we critically reviewed the elastography techniques for the quantitative characterization of focal liver lesions (FLLs), focusing on HCC: Point shear wave elastography and 2D-SWE. 2D-SWE presents a great potential to differentiate malignant from benign FLLs, guiding the clinician towards the next diagnostic steps. As a disease-specific surveillance tool, US elastography presents prognostic capability, improving the NAFLD-related HCC monitoring. Abstract The increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the general population prompts for a quick response from physicians. As NAFLD can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), new non-invasive, rapid, cost-effective diagnostic methods are needed. In this review, we explore the diagnostic performance of ultrasound elastography for non-invasive assessment of NAFLD and NAFLD-related HCC. Elastography provides a new dimension to the conventional ultrasound examination, by adding the liver stiffness quantification in the diagnostic algorithm. Whilst the most efficient elastographic techniques in staging liver fibrosis in NAFLD are vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and 2D-Shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), VCTE presents the upside of assessing steatosis through the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Hereby, we have also critically reviewed the most important elastographic techniques for the quantitative characterization of focal liver lesions (FLLs), focusing on HCC: Point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and 2D-SWE. As our paper shows, elastography should not be considered as a substitute for FLL biopsy because of the stiffness values overlap. Furthermore, by using non-invasive, disease-specific surveillance tools, such as US elastography, a subset of the non-cirrhotic NAFLD patients at risk for developing HCC can be detected early, leading to a better outcome. A recent ultrasomics study exemplified the wide potential of 2D-SWE to differentiate benign FLLs from malignant ones, guiding the clinician towards the next steps of diagnosis and contributing to better long-term disease surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Lupsor-Platon
- Medical Imaging Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Teodora Serban
- Medical Imaging Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (T.S.); (A.-I.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Alexandra-Iulia Silion
- Medical Imaging Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (T.S.); (A.-I.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Alexandru Tirpe
- Medical Imaging Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (T.S.); (A.-I.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Mira Florea
- Community Medicine Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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Dong Y, Qiu Y, Zhang Q, Yang D, Yu L, Wang WP, Dietrich CF. Preliminary Clinical Experience with Shear Wave Dispersion Imaging for Liver Viscosity in Preoperative Diagnosis of Focal Liver Lesions. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2020; 58:847-854. [PMID: 32947630 DOI: 10.1055/a-1217-7465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of our study is to analyze viscosity characteristics of focal liver lesions (FLLs) and the diagnostic performance of shear wave dispersion (SWD) in differentiating benign and malignant FLLs. METHODS Between January 2018 and April 2018, 58 consecutive patients (median age 57, age range 21-74 years, 37 males) with 58 FLLs located on the right lobe of liver were prospectively studied. The Aplio i900 series diagnostic ultrasound system (Canon Medical systems) equipped with a curvilinear PV1-475BX transducer (1-8 MHz) was used. SWD slope and viscosity measurements were expressed as mean ± standard deviation for both liver tumors and background liver parenchyma. Histopathological results after surgery were regarded as the gold standard for diagnosis. RESULTS Final diagnosis included 40 cases of malignant and 18 cases of benign FLLs. The mean viscosity value were 14.78 ± 1.86 m/s/kHz for hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 30), 14.81 ± 2.35 m/s/kHz for liver metastasis lesions (n = 10), 13.23 ± 1.31 m/s/kHz for hemangioma (n = 13), and 13.67 ± 2.72 m/s/kHz for focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 5). Malignant FLLs showed higher mean viscosity values (14.79 ± 3.15 m/s/KHz) than benign FLLs (13.36 ± 2.76 m/s/KHz) (p < 0.05). The best performing cut-off value of lesion viscosity was 13.15 m/s/kHz (sensitivity 83.3 %; specificity 56.5 %; area under the curve (AUC) 0.71) for malignancy) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The analysis of SWD slope and liver viscosity parameters provide additional viscoelastic information about FLLs before operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Dong
- Ultrasound Department, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yijie Qiu
- Ultrasound Department, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Ultrasound Department, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Daohui Yang
- Ultrasound Department, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingyun Yu
- Ultrasound Department, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Ping Wang
- Ultrasound Department, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Martelletti C, Armandi A, Caviglia GP, Saracco GM, Pellicano R. Elastography for characterization of focal liver lesions: current evidence and future perspectives. Minerva Gastroenterol (Torino) 2020; 67:196-208. [PMID: 32677420 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5985.20.02747-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Focal liver lesions (FLLs) are a common finding during routine abdominal ultrasound (US). The differential diagnosis between diverse types of FLLs, especially between benign and malignant ones, is extremely important and can often be particularly challenging. Radiological techniques with contrast administration and/or liver biopsy are mostly necessary for establishing diagnosis, but they have several contraindications or complications. Due to limitations of these tools, there is urgent and still unmet need to develop a first line, non-invasive and simple method to diagnose FLLs. Elastography is an US-based imaging modality that provides information about the physical parameter corresponding to the tissue stiffness and can be considered a virtual biopsy. Several elastographic approaches have been developed, such as transient elastography, strain imaging and share wave imaging, which include point shear wave elastography and 2D shear wave elastography. These tools are already in use for evaluating liver fibrosis and in the assessment of focal lesions in other organs, like breast and thyroid gland. This review aims to assess the current evidence of different techniques based on elastography in the setting of FLLs, in order to evaluate accuracy, limitations and future perspectives. In particular, we focused on two contexts: the ability of discriminating between benign and malignant lesions, especially hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastasis, and the surveillance after percutaneous therapy. This could have a high clinical impact making elastography crucial to identify the appropriate management of FLLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Martelletti
- School of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Angelo Armandi
- School of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio M Saracco
- School of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Unit of Gastroenterology, Molinette-SGAS Hospital, Turin, Italy
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15
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El-Ali AM, Subramanian S, Krofchik LM, Kephart MC, Squires JH. Feasibility and reproducibility of shear wave elastography in pediatric cranial ultrasound. Pediatr Radiol 2020; 50:990-996. [PMID: 31863191 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-019-04592-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Head ultrasound (US) is commonly used to evaluate the neonatal brain but may be limited by its lack of sensitivity and specificity. Ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) might provide additional information to conventional gray-scale imaging. OBJECTIVE To assess whether SWE of brain parenchyma can be (1) successfully performed at a large academic medical center where US technologists perform the majority of examinations and (2) used to detect intracranial pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pediatric patients undergoing head ultrasound underwent simultaneous SWE examination. We included normal examinations (n=70) and those with intracranial pathology (n=8) for analysis. We analyzed inter-reader variability and examination success rates and assessed the stiffness of white matter and deep gray nuclei in normal and pathological states across multiple gestational age groups. RESULTS Average gestational age of the term, pre-term and extreme pre-term groups were 38.4±1.2 weeks, 29.0±3.7 weeks and 28.3±3.1 weeks, respectively. Overall examination success rate was 79.5%. We observed a decrease in the SWE examination time from the first month (5.9±3.7 min) to the second month (4.1±1.7 min; P=0.01). Forty-one repeat examinations were performed on 14 children by different technologists, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.91. Mean stiffness in the periventricular white matter was lower than in the deep gray nuclei in all gestational age groups: term group (1.3 m/s vs. 1.5 m/s, P<0.001), pre-term (1.3 m/s vs. 1.4 m/s P=0.12), and extremely preterm group (1.2 m/s vs. 1.4 m/s, P=0.001). Mean stiffness for the deep gray nuclei differed between the term (1.5±0.3 m/s) and pre-term (1.4±0.2 m/s) groups (P<0.01). No significant differences in white matter stiffness were seen in relation to gestational age. Infants with large intraparenchymal hemorrhage had increased white matter stiffness (1.3±0.1 m/s) and deep gray nuclei stiffness (1.6±0.2 m/s) compared to full-term infants with normal head ultrasounds. These differences approached statistical significance with P=0.09 and P=0.06, respectively. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that SWE performed by pediatric sonography technologists is reproducible. We found differences in stiffness between deep gray nuclei and periventricular white matter across multiple age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M El-Ali
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Ave., 2nd Floor Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA.
| | - Subramanian Subramanian
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Ave., 2nd Floor Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Lisa M Krofchik
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Ave., 2nd Floor Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Morie C Kephart
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Ave., 2nd Floor Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Judy H Squires
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Ave., 2nd Floor Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
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Chen R, Kong W, Gan Y, Ge N, Chen Y, Ding H, Luo J, Wang W, Ren Z. Tumour stiffness associated with tumour response to conventional transarterial chemoembolisation for hepatocellular carcinoma: preliminary findings. Clin Radiol 2019; 74:814.e1-814.e7. [PMID: 31421865 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate whether elastic (stiffness) characteristics of tumours were associated with treatment responses and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE). MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective cohort study of 59 HCC patients with unresectable HCC who underwent TACE was undertaken. Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) was used to measure tissue stiffness of the index tumours and non-tumoural liver before TACE treatment. The correlation between the parameters of tumour stiffness and treatment response to TACE was assessed using mRECIST criteria as well as according to patient survival. RESULTS Tumour stiffness and its stiffness difference between tumour and non-tumoural liver were significantly associated with tumour response to TACE (p=0.019 and 0.010, respectively). Patients with tumour stiffness of <2 m/s or stiffness difference between tumour and non-tumoural liver of <0.5 were more likely to have treatment response to TACE. Univariate analysis showed that the difference in stiffness between tumour and non-tumoural livers (p=0.039) was one of the significant predictors of overall survival (OS). In multivariate analysis, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (p=0.006) and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage (p=0.017) were identified as independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSION Tumour stiffness characteristics might be an added predictive marker of treatment response to TACE in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Chen
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - W Kong
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Y Gan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - N Ge
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Y Chen
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - H Ding
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - J Luo
- Department of Health Statistics and Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - W Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Z Ren
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
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17
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Yoo J, Lee JM, Joo I, Yoon JH. Assessment of liver fibrosis using 2-dimensional shear wave elastography: a prospective study of intra- and inter-observer repeatability and comparison with point shear wave elastography. Ultrasonography 2019; 39:52-59. [PMID: 31623416 PMCID: PMC6920625 DOI: 10.14366/usg.19013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the intra- and interobserver repeatability of a new 2-dimensional (2D) shear wave elastography (SWE) technique (S-Shearwave Imaging) for assessing liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease patients, and to compare liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) made using 2D-SWE with those made using point SWE (pSWE). METHODS This prospective study received institutional review board approval and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Fifty-three chronic liver disease patients were randomly allocated to group 1 (for intra-observer repeatability [n=33]) or group 2 (for inter-observer repeatability [n=20]). In group 1, two 2D-SWE sessions and one pSWE sessions were performed by one radiologist. In group 2, one 2D-SWE session and one pSWE session were performed by the aforementioned radiologist, and a second 2D-SWE session was performed by another radiologist. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess intra- and interobserver reliability. LSMs obtained using 2D-SWE and pSWE were compared and correlated using the paired t test and Pearson correlation coefficient, respectively. RESULTS LSMs made using 2D-SWE demonstrated excellent intra- and inter-observer repeatability (ICC, 0.997 [95% confidence interval, 0.994 to 0.999]) and 0.995 [0.988 to 0.998], respectively). LSMs made using 2D-SWE were significantly different from those made using pSWE (2.1±0.6 m/sec vs. 1.9±0.6 m/sec, P<0.001), although a significant correlation existed between the 2D-SWE and pSWE LSMs (rho=0.836, P<0.001). CONCLUSION S-Shearwave Imaging demonstrated excellent intra- and inter-observer repeatability, and a strong correlation with pSWE measurements of liver stiffness. However, because of the significant difference between LSMs obtained using 2D-SWE and pSWE, these methods should not be used interchangeably.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongin Yoo
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Min Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ijin Joo
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Hee Yoon
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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18
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Hu X, Huang X, Chen H, Zhang T, Hou J, Song A, Ding L, Liu W, Wu H, Meng F. Diagnostic effect of shear wave elastography imaging for differentiation of malignant liver lesions: a meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterol 2019; 19:60. [PMID: 31023234 PMCID: PMC6485138 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-019-0976-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Shear wave elastography (SWE) imaging have been proposed for characterization of focal liver lesions. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy and clinical utility of SWE imaging for differentiation of malignant and benign hepatic lesions. Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were systematically reviewed to search for studies published between January 1, 1990, and November 30, 2018. The studies published in English relating to the evaluation the diagnostic accuracy of SWE imaging for distinguishing malignant and benign liver lesions were retrieved and examined for pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios, using bivariate random-effects models. The hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curve was estimated to assess the SWE imaging accuracy. The clinical utility of SWE imaging for differentiation of malignant liver lesions was evaluated by Fagan plot. Results A total of 15 studies, involving 1894 liver lesions in 1728 patients, were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for identification of malignant liver lesions were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.77–0.86) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.76–0.87), respectively. The AUC was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.86–0.91). When the pre-test probability was 50%, after SWE imaging measurement over the cut-off value (positive result), the corresponding post-test probability for the presence of malignant liver lesions was 82%; the post-test probability was 18% after negative measurement. Conclusions SWE imaging showed high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating malignant and benign liver lesions and may be promising for noninvasive evaluation of liver lesions. Trial registration The review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42018104510. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12876-019-0976-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Hu
- Ultrasound and Functional Diagnosis Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xiaojie Huang
- Center for Infectious Disease, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jianhua Hou
- Center for Infectious Disease, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Aixin Song
- Center for Infectious Disease, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Lei Ding
- Ultrasound and Functional Diagnosis Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Weiyuan Liu
- Ultrasound and Functional Diagnosis Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Center for Infectious Disease, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Fankun Meng
- Ultrasound and Functional Diagnosis Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No 8, Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100069, China.
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19
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Lange A, Muniraj T, Aslanian HR. Endoscopic Ultrasound for the Diagnosis and Staging of Liver Tumors. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am 2019; 29:339-350. [PMID: 30846157 DOI: 10.1016/j.giec.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Endoscopic ultrasound examination may provide complementary information to cross-sectional imaging in lesions of the liver, portal vein, and surrounding lymph nodes. With fine needle aspiration, endoscopic ultrasound examination is a powerful tool for the diagnosis of focal liver lesions and has usefulness in the evaluation of indeterminate liver lesions. Endoscopic ultrasound examination may influence hepatocellular cancer staging and Endoscopic ultrasound examination with fine needle aspiration of locoregional nodes and portal vein thromboses changes management. Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound examination and endoscopic ultrasound examination elastography are likely to expand the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound examination in evaluating liver malignancy with technologic improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Lange
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale Primary Care Center, 789 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Thiruvengadam Muniraj
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Laboratory for Medicine and Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Harry R Aslanian
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, PO Box 208056, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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20
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Akdoğan E, Yılmaz FG. The role of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography in the differentiation of benign and malignant focal liver masses. TURKISH JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2019; 29:456-463. [PMID: 30249561 DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2018.11710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate elasticity of benign and malign focal liver lesions and surrounding parenchyma as measured by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI). MATERIALS AND METHODS 34 hemangiomas, 4 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), 10 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 22 metastatic lesions from a total of 62 patients were examined with ARFI elastography. ARFI measurements for each tumor type were expressed as mean ± standard deviation for liver mass and surrounding parenchyma. ARFI values were compared between tumor types and surrounding parencyhma. RESULTS The mean stiffness values were 2.15±0.73 m/s for hemangiomas (n=34), 3.22±0.18 m/s for FNH (n=4), 2.75±0.53 m/s for HCC (n=10) and 3.59±0.51 m/s for metastasis (n=22). Although there was not a significant difference between hemangiomas and HCC lesions in ARFI values (p>0.05), hemangiomas showed significantly different ARFI values from FNH and metastases (p<0.05). Also, there were significant differences in ARFI values between malignant and benign masses. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curves for discriminating the malignant from benign liver masses was 0.826 (p<0.001). An ARFI value of 2.32 m/s was selected as cut-off value to differentiate malignant liver masses from benign ones (sensitivity: 0.93, specificity: 0.60). CONCLUSION Although currently ARFI is not a definitive method for the primary diagnosis of focal solid liver lesions, it provides additional important information non-invasively for differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emin Akdoğan
- Department of Radiology, Gaziantep University School of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Feyza Gelebek Yılmaz
- Department of Radiology, Gaziantep University School of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey
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21
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Correlation of the Stiffness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Surrounding Liver Parenchyma by Point Shear Wave Elastography. JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/8756479318801587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and surrounding liver parenchyma stiffness using point shear wave elastography (pSWE). HCC was diagnosed using the criteria of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Liver fibrosis was classified into three groups (nonsignificant fibrosis, significant fibrosis, and cirrhosis). pSWE was performed on the HCC and the adjacent hepatic parenchyma and was expressed as kilopascal (kPa). A total of 59 HCC patients with 64 tumors were included in the study. The mean stiffnesses of HCC and liver background were 9.25 ± 3.76 and 10.84 ± 4.81 kPa, respectively. There was no statistical significance in HCC stiffness in any stage of liver fibrosis. Low HCC/liver background stiffness ratio was noted in the cirrhotic group and statistically significant in two comparison groups (cirrhosis vs significant fibrosis and cirrhosis vs nonsignificant fibrosis), with P < .001. In this cohort, HCC stiffness alone demonstrated no statistically significant difference in various stages of liver fibrosis.
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22
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Taimr P, Klompenhouwer AJ, Thomeer MGJ, Hansen BE, Ijzermans JNM, de Man RA, de Knegt RJ. Can point shear wave elastography differentiate focal nodular hyperplasia from hepatocellular adenoma. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2018; 46:380-385. [PMID: 29740826 PMCID: PMC6033170 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.22603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) are liver tumors that require different management. We assessed the potential of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) to differentiate FNH from HCA and the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of pSWE in the examination of these lesions and of native liver tissue (NLT). METHODS The study included 88 patients (65 FNH, 23 HCA). pSWE was performed by two experienced liver sonographers (observers 1 [O1] and 2 [O2]) and acquired within the lesion of interest and NLT. Group differences, optimal cutoff for characterization and interobserver reliability was assessed with Mann-Whitney-U, area under the ROC curce (AUROC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Intraobserver reliability in NLT was assessed in 20 healthy subjects using ICC. RESULTS Median stiffness was significantly higher in FNH than in HCA (7.01 kPa vs 4.98 kPa for O1 (P = 0.017) and 7.68 kPa vs 6.00 kPa for O2 (P = 0.031)). A cutoff point for differentiation between the two entities could not be determined with an AUROC of 0.67 (O1) and 0.69 (O2). Interobserver reliability was good for lesion- stiffness (ICC = 0.86) and poor for NLT stiffness (ICC = 0.09). In healthy subjects, intraobserver reliability for NLT-stiffness was poor for O1 (ICC = 0.23) and moderate for O2 (ICC = 0.62). CONCLUSION This study shows that pSWE cannot reliably differentiate FNH from HCA. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability for pSWE in NLT were insufficient. Interpretation of results gained with this method should be done with great caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Taimr
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of HepatogastroenterologyInstitute for Clinical and Experimental MedicinePragueCzech Republic
| | | | | | - Bettina E. Hansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
- Toronto Centre for Liver DiseaseUniversity Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, University of TorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Jan N. M. Ijzermans
- Department of SurgeryErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Robert A. de Man
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Robert J. de Knegt
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyErasmus MC University Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
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Nagolu H, Kattoju S, Natesan C, Krishnakumar M, Kumar S. Role of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography in the Characterization of Focal Solid Hepatic Lesions. J Clin Imaging Sci 2018. [PMID: 29541491 PMCID: PMC5843967 DOI: 10.4103/jcis.jcis_64_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of the study is to investigate the usefulness of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in the characterization of focal solid liver lesions as benign, malignant, or metastatic using ARFI two-dimensional (2D) imaging and ARFI quantification (shear wave velocities [SWVs]). Materials and Methods: Sixty lesions were included in this study. The lesions were classified into three groups: Group I included benign lesions (n = 25), Group II included malignant lesions (n = 27), and Group III included metastatic lesions (n = 8). ARFI elastography was performed in all these patients using a Siemens ACUSON S 2000™ ultrasound machine. Stiffness and size of the lesions were assessed on ARFI 2D images in correlation with B-mode ultrasound images. SWVs were obtained in these lesions for the quantification of stiffness. Results: In ARFI 2D images, malignant lesions were predominantly stiffer and larger, while benign lesions were softer and similar in size (P < 0.05). The mean SWVs in benign, malignant, and metastatic lesions were 1.30 ± 0.35 m/s, 2.93 ± 0.75 m/s, and 2.77 ± 0.90 m/s, respectively. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of SWV for differentiating benign from malignant lesions was 0.877, suggesting fair accuracy (95% confidence interval: 0.777–0.976); with a cutoff value of 2 m/s, showing sensitivity: 92%; specificity: 96%; positive predictive value: 96%; negative predictive value: 93% (P < 0.05). Statistically significant difference exists in SWV of benign and malignant or metastatic lesions. Conclusion: ARFI elastography with 2D imaging and quantification might be useful in the characterization of benign and malignant liver lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshavardhan Nagolu
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sudhakar Kattoju
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Meera Krishnakumar
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Berzigotti A, Ferraioli G, Bota S, Gilja OH, Dietrich CF. Novel ultrasound-based methods to assess liver disease: The game has just begun. Dig Liver Dis 2018; 50:107-112. [PMID: 29258813 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the last 10 years the availability of ultrasound elastography allowed to diagnose and stage liver fibrosis in a non-invasive way and changed the clinical practice of hepatology. Newer ultrasound-based techniques to evaluate properties of the liver tissue other than fibrosis are emerging and will lead to a more complete characterization of the full spectrum of diffuse and focal liver disease. Since these methods are currently undergoing validation and go beyond elastography for liver tissue evaluation, they were not included in the recent guidelines regarding elastography issued by the European Federation of Societies in Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. In this review paper, we outline the major advances in the field of ultrasound for liver applications, with special emphasis on techniques that could soon be part of the future armamentarium of ultrasound specialists devoted to the assessment of liver disease. Specifically, we discuss current and future ultrasound assessment of steatosis, spleen stiffness for portal hypertension, and elastography for the evaluation of focal liver lesions; we also provide a short glimpse into the next generation of ultrasound diagnostic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Berzigotti
- Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, University of Bern, Berne, Switzerland.
| | - Giovanna Ferraioli
- Clinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Simona Bota
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nephrology and Endocrinology, Klinikum Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria.
| | - Odd Helge Gilja
- National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway.
| | - Christoph F Dietrich
- Department of Internal Medicine 2, Caritas Krankenhaus, Bad Mergentheim, Germany.
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25
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Hasab Allah M, Salama RM, Marie MS, Mandur AA, Omar H. Utility of point shear wave elastography in characterisation of focal liver lesions. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 12:201-207. [PMID: 29219625 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2018.1415144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aimed at evaluation of the usefulness of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) in characterization of FLL(s) by quantifying their stiffness. METHODS In total, 197 patients (mean age was 56.57 years) with FLL(s) on conventional ultrasound were included. Final diagnoses, confirmed by imaging and/or biopsy whenever possible, included hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n = 143), metastasis (n = 36), hemangioma (n = 16), and focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 2). Stiffness evaluation was performed by pSWE. Stiffness ratio (lesion to background liver) was calculated. ROC analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the stiffness value and stiffness ratio and to extract the optimal cutoff values for characterisation of FLL(s). RESULTS HCC was significantly softer than its surrounding liver parenchyma [5.43 (3.03) vs. 17.05 (8.53) kPa, p <0.001]. However, the stiffness values for the other examined FLLs were comparable to their surrounding liver parenchyma. No significant difference was detected across different types of metastases or between metastases and surrounding liver (p>0.05). Stiffness ratio was superior to stiffness value in discrimination of HCC from metastasis (AUROC, 0.91 vs. 0.51 respectively). CONCLUSION pSWE could provide a complementary information about FLLs especially in differentiation between HCCs from metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Hasab Allah
- a Endemic Medicine and Hepato-gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine , Cairo University , Cairo , Egypt
| | - Rabab Maamoun Salama
- a Endemic Medicine and Hepato-gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine , Cairo University , Cairo , Egypt
| | - Mohamad Saeed Marie
- a Endemic Medicine and Hepato-gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine , Cairo University , Cairo , Egypt
| | | | - Heba Omar
- a Endemic Medicine and Hepato-gastroenterology Department, Faculty of Medicine , Cairo University , Cairo , Egypt
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Qiu T, Ling W, Li J, Lu Q, Lu C, Li X, Zhu C, Luo Y. Can ultrasound elastography identify mass-like focal fatty change (FFC) from liver mass? Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e8088. [PMID: 28953628 PMCID: PMC5626271 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000008088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal fatty change (FFC) may mimic liver mass on conventional B-mode ultrasound. Clinical differentiation of mass-like FFC and liver mass is important due to different clinical interventions. Contrast-enhanced imaging (CEI) or biopsy is reliable for this differentiation, but is expensive and invasive. This study aimed to explore utilities of ultrasound elastography for this differentiation.This study enrolled 79 patients with focal liver lesions (FLLs), of which 26 were mass-like FFC confirmed by at least 2 CEI modalities. The other 53 were liver masses, confirmed by pathology (n = 28) or at least 2 CEI modalities (n = 25). Lesion stiffness value (SV), absolute stiffness difference (ASD), and stiffness ratio (SR) of lesion to background were obtained using point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) and compared between FFC group and liver mass group. The performance of SV, ASD, and SR for identifying FFC from liver mass was evaluated.SV was 5.6 ± 2.4 versus 16 ± 12 kPa, ASD was 2.0 ± 1.9 versus 11 ± 12 kPa, and SR was 1.4 ± 0.6 versus 3.0 ± 1.9 for FFC and liver mass group, respectively (P < .0001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of SV, ASD, and SR for discriminating mass-like FFC and liver mass was 0.840, 0.842, and 0.791, respectively (P < .05). Particularly, with cut-off ASD < 1.0 kPa, positive predictive value was 100%, specificity was 100%, and accuracy was 82% for diagnosing FFC.pSWE may be a potential useful modality for identifying mass-like FFC from liver mass, which might help reduce the necessity for further CEI or biopsy for diagnosing mass-like FFC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Changli Lu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital Sichuan University
| | - Xiaomin Li
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital Sichuan University
| | - Cairong Zhu
- School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Sun XL, Yao H, Men Q, Hou KZ, Chen Z, Xu CQ, Liang LW. Combination of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging, serological indexes and contrast-enhanced ultrasound for diagnosis of liver lesions. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:5602-5609. [PMID: 28852319 PMCID: PMC5558123 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i30.5602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To assess the value of combined acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging, serological indexes and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in distinguishing between benign and malignant liver lesions.
METHODS Patients with liver lesions treated at our hospital were included in this study. The lesions were divided into either a malignant tumor group or a benign tumor group according to pathological or radiological findings. ARFI quantitative detection, serological testing and CEUS quantitative detection were performed and compared. A comparative analysis of the measured indexes was performed between these groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ARFI imaging, serological indexes and CEUS, alone or in different combinations, in identifying benign and malignant liver lesions.
RESULTS A total of 112 liver lesions in 43 patients were included, of which 78 were malignant and 34 were benign. Shear wave velocity (SWV) value, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) content and enhancement rate were significantly higher in the malignant tumor group than in the benign tumor group (2.39 ± 1.20 m/s vs 1.50 ± 0.49 m/s, 18.02 ± 5.01 ng/mL vs 15.96 ± 4.33 ng/mL, 2.14 ± 0.21 dB/s vs 2.01 ± 0.31 dB/s; P < 0.05). The ROC curve analysis revealed that the areas under the curves (AUCs) of SWV value alone, AFP content alone, enhancement rate alone, SWV value + AFP content, SWV value + enhancement rate, AFP content + enhancement rate and SWV value + AFP content + enhancement rate were 85.1%, 72.1%, 74.5%, 88.3%, 90.4%, 82.0% and 92.3%, respectively. The AUC of SWV value + AFP content + enhancement rate was higher than those of SWV value + AFP content and SWV value + enhancement rate, and significantly higher than those of any single parameter or the combination of any two of parameters.
CONCLUSION The combination of SWV, AFP and enhancement rate had better diagnostic performance in distinguishing between benign and malignant liver lesions than the use of any single parameter or the combination of any two of parameters. It is expected that this would provide a tool for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant liver lesions.
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Sigrist RM, Liau J, Kaffas AE, Chammas MC, Willmann JK. Ultrasound Elastography: Review of Techniques and Clinical Applications. Theranostics 2017; 7:1303-1329. [PMID: 28435467 PMCID: PMC5399595 DOI: 10.7150/thno.18650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1042] [Impact Index Per Article: 130.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastography-based imaging techniques have received substantial attention in recent years for non-invasive assessment of tissue mechanical properties. These techniques take advantage of changed soft tissue elasticity in various pathologies to yield qualitative and quantitative information that can be used for diagnostic purposes. Measurements are acquired in specialized imaging modes that can detect tissue stiffness in response to an applied mechanical force (compression or shear wave). Ultrasound-based methods are of particular interest due to its many inherent advantages, such as wide availability including at the bedside and relatively low cost. Several ultrasound elastography techniques using different excitation methods have been developed. In general, these can be classified into strain imaging methods that use internal or external compression stimuli, and shear wave imaging that use ultrasound-generated traveling shear wave stimuli. While ultrasound elastography has shown promising results for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis, new applications in breast, thyroid, prostate, kidney and lymph node imaging are emerging. Here, we review the basic principles, foundation physics, and limitations of ultrasound elastography and summarize its current clinical use and ongoing developments in various clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa M.S. Sigrist
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joy Liau
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ahmed El Kaffas
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Maria Cristina Chammas
- Department of Ultrasound, Institute of Radiology, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School of University of São Paulo
| | - Juergen K. Willmann
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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29
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Liver Stiffness and Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein in Discriminating Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Cirrhotic Nodule. Ultrasound Q 2016; 32:319-326. [PMID: 27575844 DOI: 10.1097/ruq.0000000000000244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Abstract
Ultrasound elastography, also termed sonoelastography, is being used increasingly in clinical practice to aid the diagnosis and management of diffuse liver disease. Elastography has been shown to be capable of differentiating advanced and early-stage liver fibrosis, and consequently a major application in clinical liver care includes progression to cirrhosis risk stratification through (1) assessment of liver fibrosis stage in HCV and HBV patients, (2) distinguishing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis from simple steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients, and (3) prognostic evaluation of liver disease is autoimmune liver disease. In addition, elastographic characterization of focal liver lesions and evaluation of clinically significant portal hypertension have the potential to be clinically useful and are areas of active clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Dhyani
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA,
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31
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Göya C, Hamidi C, Okur MH, Içer M, Oğuz A, Hattapoğlu S, Cetinçakmak MG, Teke M. The utility of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging in diagnosing acute appendicitis and staging its severity. Diagn Interv Radiol 2015; 20:453-8. [PMID: 25323836 DOI: 10.5152/dir.2014.13439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging to diagnose acute appendicitis. METHODS Abdominal ultrasonography (US) and ARFI imaging were performed in 53 patients that presented with right lower quadrant pain, and the results were compared with those obtained in 52 healthy subjects. Qualitative evaluation of the patients was conducted by Virtual Touch™ tissue imaging (VTI), while quantitative evaluation was performed by Virtual Touch™ tissue quantification (VTQ) measuring the shear wave velocity (SWV). The severity of appendix inflammation was observed and rated using ARFI imaging in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Alvarado scores were determined for all patients presenting with right lower quadrant pain. All patients diagnosed with appendicitis received appendectomies. The sensitivity and specificity of ARFI imaging relative to US was determined upon confirming the diagnosis of acute appendicitis via histopathological analysis. RESULTS The Alvarado score had a sensitivity and specificity of 70.8% and 20%, respectively, in detecting acute appendicitis. Abdominal US had 83.3% sensitivity and 80% specificity, while ARFI imaging had 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity, in diagnosing acute appendicitis. The median SWV value was 1.11 m/s (range, 0.6-1.56 m/s) for healthy appendix and 3.07 m/s (range, 1.37-4.78 m/s) for acute appendicitis. CONCLUSION ARFI imaging may be useful in guiding the clinical management of acute appendicitis, by helping its diagnosis and determining the severity of appendix inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cemil Göya
- Department of Radiology, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
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Abstract
Noninvasive, ultrasound-based methods for visualizing and measuring tissue elasticity are becoming more and more common in routine practice. Using hepatic shear wave elastography, cut-off levels can help to detect the degree of relevant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) with a diagnostic accuracy using the area under the reader operating characteristic (AUROC) of 87 % and cirrhosis (F = 4, AUROC 93 %). Normal values virtually exclude liver cirrhosis (negative predictive value up to 97 %) and high shear wave velocities predict complications in the course of primary sclerosing cholangitis, liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B or C. Elastography is of no relevant help in the differentiation of the dignity of hepatic lesions. Concerning thyroid or breast lesions, low shear wave velocities are indicative of benign lesions and in contrast, high velocities of malignant lesions. A differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules is performed by elastography with a sensitivity of 89 % and a specificity of 82 %. In breast lesions a differentiation of nodes can be improved with elastography compared to B-mode ultrasound alone with a sensitivity of 97 % and a specificity of 83 %. Invasive biopsy punctures can therefore be specifically performed or can be omitted. Due to several influencing factors, in particular during liver elastography, the measurements need to be interpreted in the clinical context. In summary, ultrasound-based elastography provides helpful information for the detection of hepatic fibrosis and for further characterization of thyroid or breast lesions in addition to classical techniques, such as B-mode imaging and color Doppler.
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Goya C, Hamidi C, Yavuz A, Hattapoglu S, Uslukaya O, Cetincakmak MG, Teke M, Urakci Z. The Role of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography in the Differentiation of Infectious and Neoplastic Liver Lesions. ULTRASONIC IMAGING 2015; 37:312-322. [PMID: 25568051 DOI: 10.1177/0161734614566697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in differentiating between hepatic lesions. The prospective study included 117 patients with liver masses. Shear wave velocity (SWV) values for lesions were determined by ARFI imaging and compared statistically. The difference between SWV values for benign and malignant hepatic masses was significant (p < 0.01). The threshold SWV value for malignant hepatic lesions was established at 2.52 m/s, and the sensitivity and specificity of this cut-off value were 97% and 66%, respectively. We concluded that ARFI elastography provides supplementary data that aid in the differential diagnosis of liver masses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cemil Goya
- Department of Radiology, School of Medical Science, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | - Cihad Hamidi
- Department of Radiology, School of Medical Science, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | - Alpaslan Yavuz
- Department of Radiology, School of Medical Science, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
| | - Salih Hattapoglu
- Department of Radiology, School of Medical Science, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | - Omer Uslukaya
- Department of General Surgery, School of Medical Science, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | | | - Memik Teke
- Department of Radiology, School of Medical Science, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | - Zuhat Urakci
- Department of Medical Oncology, School of Medical Science, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey
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Ronot M, Vilgrain V. Shear-wave Elastography for the Noninvasive Diagnosis of Focal Liver Lesions: It Always Starts with the Clinical Context. Radiology 2015; 276:928-9. [PMID: 26523299 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2015150444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, APHP, University Hospitals Paris Nord Val de Seine, Beaujon, Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France.,University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris INSERM U1149, Centre de Recherche Biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon, CRB3, Paris, France.,Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital, AP-HP 100 Boulevard du Général Leclerc, 92118 Clichy, France
| | - Valérie Vilgrain
- Department of Radiology, APHP, University Hospitals Paris Nord Val de Seine, Beaujon, Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France.,University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris INSERM U1149, Centre de Recherche Biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon, CRB3, Paris, France.,Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital, AP-HP 100 Boulevard du Général Leclerc, 92118 Clichy, France
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Brunel T, Guibal A, Boularan C, Ducerf C, Mabrut JY, Bancel B, Boussel L, Rode A. Focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma: The value of shear wave elastography for differential diagnosis. Eur J Radiol 2015; 84:2059-64. [PMID: 26299323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assessed the clinical usefulness of shear wave elastography (SWE) during ultrasound for differentiating between focal nodular hyperplasias (FNHs) and hepatocellular adenomas (HAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS SWE was performed on 56 patients presenting with 76 liver lesions (57 FNHs and 19HAs) that were confirmed by MRI and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) (n=55) or by histology (n=21). A mean elasticity value was obtained for each lesion. The ratios of the elasticity of the lesions to the elasticity of the surrounding liver were determined. The optimal elasticity cut-off value for distinguishing between the two lesion types was determined using ROC analysis. All lesions that were classified as "undetermined" after CEUS were reclassified using the elasticity values. RESULTS The mean elasticity value was 46.99 ± 31.15 kPa for FNHs and 12.08 ± 10.68 kPa for HAs (p<0.0001). The mean relative elasticity ratio values were 7.94 ± 6.43 and 1.91 ± 1.70, respectively (p<0.0001). The ROC analysis showed a maximal accuracy of 95% for identification with a cut-off of 18.8 kPa for lesion elasticity (accuracy of 96% with a cut-off of 1.98 for the relative elasticity ratio). A total of 68 CEUS were performed, and 17 lesions (25%) were classified as "undetermined" after CEUS. With these cut-off values 16 lesions (94.1%) were correctly reclassified as FNHs. CONCLUSION SWE is a useful adjunctive tool for differentiation between FNH and HA during ultrasound examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Brunel
- Service de Radiologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, 103 Grande rue de la Croix-Rousse, 69004 Lyon, France.
| | - Aymeric Guibal
- Service d'imagerie abdominale, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, 69437 Lyon cedex 03, France.
| | - Camille Boularan
- Service d'imagerie abdominale, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, 69437 Lyon cedex 03, France.
| | - Christian Ducerf
- Service de Chirurgie Digestive, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, 103 Grande rue de la Croix-Rousse, 69004 Lyon, France.
| | - Jean-Yves Mabrut
- Service de Chirurgie Digestive, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, 103 Grande rue de la Croix-Rousse, 69004 Lyon, France.
| | - Brigitte Bancel
- Service d'Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, 103 Grande rue de la Croix-Rousse, 69004 Lyon, France.
| | - Loïc Boussel
- Service de Radiologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, 103 Grande rue de la Croix-Rousse, 69004 Lyon, France.
| | - Agnès Rode
- Service de Radiologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, 103 Grande rue de la Croix-Rousse, 69004 Lyon, France.
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Guo LH, Wang SJ, Xu HX, Sun LP, Zhang YF, Xu JM, Wu J, Fu HJ, Xu XH. Differentiation of benign and malignant focal liver lesions: value of virtual touch tissue quantification of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography. Med Oncol 2015; 32:68. [PMID: 25691297 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-015-0543-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of virtual tissue quantification (VTQ) of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant focal liver lesions (FLLs). Thus, a total of 134 FLLs in 134 patients were included. VTQ measurement was performed for each lesion in which the shear wave velocity (SWV) was measured. The difference in SWV and SWV ratio of FLL to surrounding liver between malignant and benign FLLs was evaluated, and the cutoff value was investigated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic performance. A total of 134 lesions including 55 (41.0%) malignant FLLs and 79 (59.0%) benign ones were analyzed. The SWV of malignant and benign FLLs was 2.95 ± 1.00 m/s and 1.69 ± 0.89 m/s, respectively. Significant difference in SWV was presented between malignant and benign FLLs (p < 0.001). The SWV ratio of each FLL to the surrounding liver parenchyma was 1.83 ± 1.32 for malignant and 1.26 ± 0.78 for benign FLLs (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve in distinguishing malignant from benign lesions was 0.824 for SWV and 0.660 for SWV ratio. The cutoff value for differential diagnosis was 2.13 m/s for SWV and 1.37 for SWV ratio. The associated sensitivity and specificity were 83.3 and 77.9% for SWV and 59.6 and 77.3% for SWV ratio, respectively. In conclusion, VTQ provides quantitative stiffness information of FLLs and is helpful in the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign FLLs, particularly for the patients who are not candidates for contrast-enhanced imaging such as CT, MRI or contrast-enhanced ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le-Hang Guo
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
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Lu Q, Ling W, Lu C, Li J, Ma L, Quan J, He D, Liu J, Yang J, Wen T, Wu H, Zhu H, Luo Y. Hepatocellular carcinoma: stiffness value and ratio to discriminate malignant from benign focal liver lesions. Radiology 2015; 275:880-8. [PMID: 25636031 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.14131164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the use of stiffness value and stiffness ratio (ratio of lesion to background liver parenchyma values) to discriminate malignant from benign focal liver lesions by using histologic results as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board, and written informed consent was obtained. Three hundred seventy-three patients with focal liver lesions proven at histologic examination underwent measurement of liver stiffness with elastography point quantification. First, stiffness values in two regions of the background liver parenchyma (at 0.5-2 cm and >2 cm from the lesion periphery) near 163 hepatocellular carcinomas were analyzed to determine a reference background liver for calculating the stiffness ratio. Second, the use of the lesion stiffness value and the stiffness ratio for prediction of liver malignancy was investigated in a cohort of patients with 58 benign and 201 malignant lesions. Results were validated in another independent cohort of patients with 25 benign and 89 malignant lesions by using analysis of the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve. RESULTS The coefficient of variation for the background liver at 0.5-2 cm from the lesion was higher (196%) than that at greater than 2 cm from the lesion (66%). In the development phase, diagnostic accuracy with use of the stiffness value was significantly higher than that with use of the stiffness ratio for discrimination of malignant from benign lesions (AUC, 0.86 vs 0.66, respectively; P < .001). Diagnostic performance with the stiffness value was lower than that with the stiffness ratio (AUC, 0.53 vs 0.86, respectively; P < .001) for discrimination of cirrhotic nodules from other benign lesions. Diagnostic performance with the stiffness value was significantly lower than that with the stiffness ratio (AUC, 0.58 vs 0.71 respectively; P = .007) for discrimination of metastasis from primary liver cancers. In the validation phase, similar findings were revealed for the discrimination of malignant from benign lesions (AUC, 0.87 vs 0.67; P < .001) and discrimination between metastasis and primary liver cancers (AUC, 0.49 vs 0.73; P < .001). CONCLUSION Use of stiffness values measured in the liver parenchyma at more than 2 cm from the lesion allowed better diagnostic performance than did values measured in a region closer to the tumor. Stiffness value was more accurate than stiffness ratio for differentiation of malignant from benign focal liver lesions, but the stiffness ratio might be useful for subclassification of benign and malignant lesions. Online supplemental material is available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Lu
- From the Departments of Ultrasound (Q.L., W.L., J.L., L.M., J.Q., Y.L.), Pathology (C.L., D.H., J.L.), and Hepatobiliary Surgery (J.Y., T.W., H.W.), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37th Guoxue Xiang, Jiang Xi Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; and Department of Pathology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (H.Z.)
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Ronot M, Vilgrain V. Imaging of benign hepatocellular lesions: current concepts and recent updates. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2014; 38:681-8. [PMID: 24636468 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2014.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) are a variety of solid lesions mostly found in the absence of underlying chronic liver disease in young patients. HCA is no longer to be considered as a unique lesion but as a recollection of different entities sharing common points but most of all separated by different typical morphological aspects. Accurate diagnosis is of clinical importance as the management is most of the time conservative for FNH, whereas HCAs expose patients to hemorrhage and malignant transformation, and may lead to a more invasive treatment, mainly surgical resection. Moreover, the different HCA subtypes expose to different risks of complication. The best imaging techniques for the differentiation between FNH and HCAs and for the subtyping of HCAs are contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as specific combinations of imaging features have been associated with the different lesions. They should be considered as complementary examinations. Atypical or multiple lesions, lesions containing fat or presence of an associated steatosis represent diagnostic challenges. Recently, MR hepatospecific contrast agents have been shown to be useful. Emergent elastography techniques might also be helpful in the near future. Biopsy should always be performed in case of uncertain diagnosis to reach a final diagnosis and avoid unnecessary invasive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, 100, boulevard du Général-Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France; INSERM Centre de recherche Biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon, université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, CRB3 U773, 75018 Paris, France.
| | - Valérie Vilgrain
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, 100, boulevard du Général-Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France; INSERM Centre de recherche Biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon, université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, CRB3 U773, 75018 Paris, France
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Nanashima A, Sakamoto A, Sakamoto I, Hayashi H, Abo T, Wakata K, Murakami G, Arai J, Wada H, Takagi K, Takeshita H, Hidaka S, To K, Nagayasu T. Usefulness of evaluating hepatic elasticity using artificial acoustic radiation force ultrasonography before hepatectomy. Hepatol Res 2014; 44:1308-19. [PMID: 24506195 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate hepatic fibrosis and tumor diagnosis preoperatively, we investigated the elasticity calculated by the new parameter of ultrasonography, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI). METHODS We examined ARFI of the non-tumorous right and left lateral liver and in the tumor by push pulse of probe in 95 patients with hepatic malignancies undergoing hepatectomy. Measurement of ARFI as hepatic stiffness was indicated as the Vs (m/s). RESULTS Measuring the Vs in the non-tumor region was achieved in the right liver in 99% and at the left lateral liver in 94%. The Vs in the right liver was significantly lower than in the left lateral liver, and the Vs of the liver tumor was significantly higher than in the non-tumorous liver. The Vs in the right and left lateral liver was correlated with the platelet count, aspartate aminotransferase, fibrotic indices and indocyanine green test. The Vs in the right liver was significantly correlated with the fibrotic marker or index. The Vs of liver cirrhosis and histological stage 4 in the right and left liver was significantly the highest compared to the others. The Vs in the right liver showed a high area under the receiver-operator curve value predicting histological fibrosis. The Vs in the right was significantly correlated with blood loss and postoperative complications, particularly uncontrolled ascites. CONCLUSION Non-invasive ARFI imaging elastography is useful in evaluating impaired liver function or in the differential diagnosis of liver malignancies, highly hepatic fibrosis and in predicting posthepatectomy morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Nanashima
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
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Characterization of fortuitously discovered focal liver lesions: additional information provided by shearwave elastography. Eur Radiol 2014; 25:346-58. [PMID: 25231131 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-014-3370-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To prospectively assess the stiffness of incidentally discovered focal liver lesions (FLL) with no history of chronic liver disease or extrahepatic cancer using shearwave elastography (SWE). METHODS Between June 2011 and May 2012, all FLL fortuitously discovered on ultrasound examination were prospectively included. For each lesion, stiffness was measured (kPa). Characterization of the lesion relied on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or contrast-enhanced ultrasound, or biopsy. Tumour stiffness was analysed using ANOVA and non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS 105 lesions were successfully evaluated in 73 patients (61 women, 84%) with a mean age of 44.8 (range: 20‒75). The mean stiffness was 33.3 ± 12.7 kPa for the 60 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), 19.7 ± 9.8 k Pa for the 17 hepatocellular adenomas (HCA), 17.1 ± 7 kPa for the 20 haemangiomas, 11.3 ± 4.3 kPa for the five focal fatty sparing, 34.1 ± 7.3 kPa for the two cholangiocarcinomas, and 19.6 kPa for one hepatocellular carcinoma (p < 0.0001). There was no difference between the benign and the malignant groups (p = 0.64). FNHs were significantly stiffer than HCAs (p < 0.0001). Telangiectatic/inflammatory HCAs were significantly stiffer than the steatotic HCAs (p = 0.014). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) for differentiating FNH from other lesions was 0.86 ± 0.04. CONCLUSION SWE may provide additional information for the characterization of FFL, and may help in differentiating FNH from HCAs, and in subtyping HCAs. KEY POINTS • SWE might be helpful for the characterization of solid focal liver lesions • SWE cannot differentiate benign from malignant liver lesions • FNHs are significantly stiffer than other benign lesions • Telangiectatic/inflammatory HCA are significantly stiffer than steatotic ones.
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Göya C, Hamidi C, Hattapoğlu S, Çetinçakmak MG, Teke M, Degirmenci MS, Kaya M, Bilici A. Use of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography to diagnose acute pancreatitis at hospital admission: comparison with sonography and computed tomography. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2014; 33:1453-1460. [PMID: 25063411 DOI: 10.7863/ultra.33.8.1453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the diagnostic success rate of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography with those of sonography and computed tomography (CT) for acute pancreatitis at hospital admission. METHODS B-mode sonography and ARFI elastography were performed on 88 patients with symptoms of acute pancreatitis and 50 healthy control participants who were admitted to our hospital between February 2013 and July 2013. Acute pancreatitis was verified in the 88 patients based on clinical and laboratory findings. Computed tomography was performed on 41 patients, and the CT results from these patients were compared with those of ARFI elastography. The appearances of the pancreases of the patients were classified into 6 groups using visual color encodings obtained with ARFI elastography. The elasticity values of pancreatic head, body, and tail regions were evaluated with Virtual Touch imaging and Virtual Touch tissue quantification (Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA). The success rates of sonography, CT, and ARFI elastography for diagnosing acute pancreatitis at hospital admission were compared. RESULTS Forty-six of the 88 patients had a diagnosis of pancreatitis by B-mode sonography; pancreatitis was diagnosed in all patients by ARFI elastography; and 10 of 41 patients could not be diagnosed by CT. The sensitivity and specificity of Virtual Touch tissue quantification were 100% and 98%, respectively, when a cutoff value of 1.63 m/s was used. The control group had color scores of 1 or 2, whereas all patients with pancreatitis had color scores of 3 to 6 on color scale evaluation with Virtual Touch imaging. CONCLUSIONS Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography is a rapid, radiation-free, and noninvasive tool for diagnosis of acute pancreatitis at initial hospital admission, with a higher success rate for diagnosis of acute pancreatitis than the grayscale sonography and CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cemil Göya
- Departments of Radiology (C.G., C.H., S.H., M.G.Ç., M.T., A.B.) and Internal Medicine (M.S.D., M.K.), Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Cihad Hamidi
- Departments of Radiology (C.G., C.H., S.H., M.G.Ç., M.T., A.B.) and Internal Medicine (M.S.D., M.K.), Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
| | - Salih Hattapoğlu
- Departments of Radiology (C.G., C.H., S.H., M.G.Ç., M.T., A.B.) and Internal Medicine (M.S.D., M.K.), Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Güli Çetinçakmak
- Departments of Radiology (C.G., C.H., S.H., M.G.Ç., M.T., A.B.) and Internal Medicine (M.S.D., M.K.), Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Memik Teke
- Departments of Radiology (C.G., C.H., S.H., M.G.Ç., M.T., A.B.) and Internal Medicine (M.S.D., M.K.), Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Serdar Degirmenci
- Departments of Radiology (C.G., C.H., S.H., M.G.Ç., M.T., A.B.) and Internal Medicine (M.S.D., M.K.), Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Muhsin Kaya
- Departments of Radiology (C.G., C.H., S.H., M.G.Ç., M.T., A.B.) and Internal Medicine (M.S.D., M.K.), Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Aslan Bilici
- Departments of Radiology (C.G., C.H., S.H., M.G.Ç., M.T., A.B.) and Internal Medicine (M.S.D., M.K.), Medical School, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
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The impact of share wave elastography in differentiation of hepatic hemangioma from malignant liver tumors in pediatric population. Eur J Radiol 2014; 83:1691-7. [PMID: 25012068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2014] [Revised: 05/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In children it is crucial to differentiate malignant liver tumors from the most common benign tumor, hepatic hemangiomas since the treatment strategies are quite different. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of shear wave elastography (SWE) technique in differentiation of malignant hepatic tumors and hepatic hemangiomas. METHODS Twenty patients with hepatic tumor were included in our study. Two radiologists performed SWE for 13 patients with malignant hepatic tumors including hepatoblastoma (n=7), hepatocellular carcinoma (n=3), metastasis (n=2), embryonal sarcoma (n=1) and 7 patients with hepatic hemangioma. All of our patients were between the age of 1 and 192 months (mean age: 56.88 months). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was achieved to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of SWE and to determine the optimal cut-off value in differentiation hepatic hemangioma from malignant hepatic tumors. RESULTS The mean SWE values (in kPa) for the first observer were 46.94 (13.8-145) and 22.38 (6.6-49.6) and those for the second observer were 57.91 (11-237) and 23.87 (6.4-57.5), respectively for malignant hepatic tumors and hepatic hemangiomas. The SWE values of malignant hepatic tumors were significantly higher than those of hepatic hemangioma (p=0.02). The inter-observer agreement was almost perfect (0.81). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of SWE for differentiating the hepatic hemangioma from malignant hepatic tumors was 0.77 with a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 66.7% at a cutoff value of 23.62 with 95% confidence interval. CONCLUSION Shear wave elastography can be helpful in differentiation of malignant hepatic tumors and hepatic hemangioma.
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Ling W, Lu Q, Lu C, Quan J, Ma L, Li J, He D, Liu J, Yang J, Wen T, Wu H, Zhu H, Luo Y. Effects of vascularity and differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma on tumor and liver stiffness: in vivo and in vitro studies. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2014; 40:739-46. [PMID: 24412176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2013.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Revised: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Tissue stiffness has been found to be a useful predictor of malignancy in various cancers. However, data on the stiffness of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and their background livers are contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vascularity and histologic differentiation on HCC stiffness. Elastography point quantification (ElastPQ), a new shear wave-based elastography method, was used to measure liver stiffness in vivo in 99 patients with pathology-proven HCC. Lesion vascularity was assessed using contrast-enhanced ultrasound, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. The association of HCC vascularity and differentiation with liver stiffness was determined. In addition, in vitro stiffness of 20 of the 99 surgical HCC specimens was mechanically measured and compared with in vivo measurements. We found that in vivo stiffness was significantly higher than in vitro stiffness in both HCCs and their background livers (p < 0.0001). Moreover, significantly higher stiffness was observed in hyper-vascular and poorly differentiated lesions than in hypo-vascular (p = 0.0352) and moderately to well-differentiated lesions (p = 0.0139). These in vivo and in vitro studies reveal that shear wave-based ultrasound elasticity quantification can effectively measure in vivo liver stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwu Ling
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiang Lu
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Changli Lu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jierong Quan
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiawu Li
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Du He
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianping Liu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaying Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianfu Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongguang Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Cui XW, Friedrich-Rust M, Molo CD, Ignee A, Schreiber-Dietrich D, Dietrich CF. Liver elastography, comments on EFSUMB elastography guidelines 2013. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:6329-6347. [PMID: 24151351 PMCID: PMC3801303 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i38.6329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Revised: 08/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology Guidelines and Recommendations have been published assessing the clinical use of ultrasound elastography. The document is intended to form a reference and to guide clinical users in a practical way. They give practical advice for the use and interpretation. Liver disease forms the largest section, reflecting published experience to date including evidence from meta-analyses with shear wave and strain elastography. In this review comments and illustrations on the guidelines are given.
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Kim JE, Lee JY, Bae KS, Han JK, Choi BI. Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography for focal hepatic tumors: usefulness for differentiating hemangiomas from malignant tumors. Korean J Radiol 2013; 14:743-53. [PMID: 24043967 PMCID: PMC3772253 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2013.14.5.743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate whether acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography with ARFI quantification and ARFI 2-dimensional (2D) imaging is useful for differentiating hepatic hemangiomas from malignant hepatic tumors. Materials and Methods One-hundred-and-one tumors in 74 patients were included in this study: 28 hemangiomas, 26 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), three cholangiocarcinomas (CCCs), 20 colon cancer metastases and 24 other metastases. B-mode ultrasound, ARFI 2D imaging, and ARFI quantification were performed in all tumors. Shear wave velocities (SWVs) of the tumors and the adjacent liver and their SWV differences were compared among the tumor groups. The ARFI 2D images were compared with B-mode images regarding the stiffness, conspicuity and size of the tumors. Results The mean SWV of the hemangiomas was significantly lower than the malignant hepatic tumor groups: hemangiomas, 1.80 ± 0.57 m/sec; HCCs, 2.66 ± 0.94 m/sec; CCCs, 3.27 ± 0.64 m/sec; colon cancer metastases, 3.70 ± 0.61 m/sec; and other metastases, 2.82 ± 0.96 m/sec (p < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of SWV for differentiating hemangiomas from malignant tumors was 0.86, with a sensitivity of 96.4% and a specificity of 65.8% at a cut-off value of 2.73 m/sec (p < 0.05). In the ARFI 2D images, the malignant tumors except HCCs were stiffer and more conspicuous as compared with the hemangiomas (p < 0.05). Conclusion ARFI elastography with ARFI quantification and ARFI 2D imaging may be useful for differentiating hepatic hemangiomas from malignant hepatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Eun Kim
- Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 660-702, Korea
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Abstract
Conventional imaging techniques cannot provide information about tissue mechanical properties. Many injuries can cause changes in tissue stiffness, especially tumors and fibrosis. In recent years, various non-invasive ultrasound methods have been developed to study tissue elasticity for a large number of applications (breast, thyroid, prostate, kidneys, blood vessels, liver…). For non-invasive assessment of liver diseases, several ultrasound elastography techniques have been investigated: Transient elastography (the most extensively used), Real Time Elastography (RTE), Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging (ARFI) and more recently Shear Wave Elastography (SWE). Even if evaluation of liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease remains the principal application, there are many others applications for liver: predicting cirrhosis-related complications; monitoring antiviral treatments in chronic viral liver disease; characterizing liver tumors; monitoring local treatments, etc. The aim of this article is to report on the different hepatic ultrasound elastography techniques, their advantages and disadvantages, their diagnostic accuracy, their applications in clinical practice.
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Hennedige T, Venkatesh SK. Imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma: diagnosis, staging and treatment monitoring. Cancer Imaging 2013; 12:530-547. [PMID: 23400006 PMCID: PMC3666429 DOI: 10.1102/1470-7330.2012.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. Imaging is important for establishing a diagnosis of HCC. Several imaging modalities including ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and angiography are used in evaluating patients with chronic liver disease and suspected HCC. CT, MRI and contrast-enhanced US have replaced biopsy for diagnosis of HCC. Dynamic multiphase contrast-enhanced CT or MRI is the current standard for imaging diagnosis of HCC. Functional imaging techniques such as perfusion CT and diffusion-weighted MRI provide additional information about tumor angiogenesis that may be useful for treatment. Techniques evaluating tissue mechanical properties such as magnetic resonance elastography, and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging are being explored for characterizing liver lesions. The role of PET in the evaluation of HCC is evolving with promise seen especially with the use of a hepatocyte-specific PET tracer. Imaging is also critical for assessment of treatment response and detection of recurrence following locoregional treatment. Knowledge of the post-treatment appearance of HCC is essential for correct interpretation. This review article provides an overview of the role of imaging in the diagnosis, staging and post-treatment follow-up of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Hennedige
- Diagnostic Imaging, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore
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Park H, Park JY, Kim DY, Ahn SH, Chon CY, Han KH, Kim SU. Characterization of focal liver masses using acoustic radiation force impulse elastography. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:219-226. [PMID: 23345944 PMCID: PMC3547567 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i2.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Revised: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the diagnostic performance of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography for characterizing focal liver mass by quantifying their stiffness.
METHODS: This prospective study included 62 patients with a focal liver mass that was well visualized on conventional ultrasonography performed in our institution from February 2011 to November 2011. Among them, 12 patients were excluded for ARFI measurement failure due to a lesion that was smaller than the region of the interest and at an inaccessible location (deeper than 8 cm) (n = 7) or poor compliance to hold their breath as required (n = 5). Finally, 50 patients with valid ARFI measurements were enrolled. If a patient had multiple liver masses, only one mass of interest was chosen. The masses were diagnosed by histological examination or clinical diagnostic criteria. During ultrasonographic evaluation, stiffness, expressed as velocity, was checked 10 times per focal liver mass and the surrounding liver parenchyma.
RESULTS: After further excluding three masses that were non-diagnostic on biopsy, a total of 47 focal mass lesions were tested, including 39 (83.0%) malignant masses [24 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), seven cholangiocellular carcinomas (CCC), and eight liver metastases] and eight (17.0%) benign masses (five hemangiomas and three focal nodular hyperplasias, FNH). Thirty-seven (74.0%) masses were confirmed by histological examination. The mean velocity was 2.48 m/s in HCCs, 1.65 m/s in CCCs, 2.35 m/s in metastases, 1.83 m/s in hemangiomas, and 0.97 m/s in FNHs. Although considerable overlap was still noted between malignant and benign masses, significant differences in ARFI values were observed between malignant and benign masses (mean 2.31 m/s vs 1.51 m/s, P = 0.047), as well as between HCCs and benign masses (mean 2.48 m/s vs 1.51 m/s, P = 0.006). The areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUROC) for discriminating the malignant masses from benign masses was 0.724 (95%CI, 0.566-0.883, P = 0.048), and the AUROC for discriminating HCCs from benign masses was 0.813 (95%CI, 0.649-0.976, P = 0.008). To maximize the sum of sensitivity and specificity, an ARFI value of 1.82 m/s was selected as the cutoff value to differentiate malignant from benign liver masses. Furthermore, the cutoff value for distinguishing HCCs from benign masses was also determined to be 1.82 m/s. The diagnostic performance of the sum of the ARFI values for focal liver masses and the surrounding liver parenchyma to differentiate liver masses improved (AUROC = 0.853; 95%CI, 0.745-0.960; P = 0.002 in malignant liver masses vs benign ones and AUROC = 0.948; 95%CI, 0.896-0.992, P < 0.001 in HCCs vs benign masses).
CONCLUSION: ARFI elastography provides additional information for the differential diagnosis of liver masses. However, our results should be interpreted in clinical context, because considerable overlap in ARFI values existed among liver masses.
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Frulio N, Laumonier H, Carteret T, Laurent C, Maire F, Balabaud C, Bioulac-Sage P, Trillaud H. Evaluation of liver tumors using acoustic radiation force impulse elastography and correlation with histologic data. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2013; 32:121-130. [PMID: 23269717 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2013.32.1.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) technology represents an innovative method for the quantification of tissue elasticity. The aims of this study were to evaluate elasticity by ARFI in both liver tumors and background liver tissue and to compare ARFI measurements with histologic data in liver tumors and background liver. METHODS Seventy-nine tumors were prospectively studied: 43 benign and 36 malignant. Acoustic radiation force impulse measurements for each tumor type were expressed as mean ± standard deviation for both liver tumors and background liver; ARFI data were also correlated with histologic data. RESULTS For liver tumors, the mean stiffness values were 1.90 ± 0.86 m/s for hepatocellular adenoma (n = 9), 2.14 ± 0.49 m/s for hemangioma (n = 15), 3.14 ± 0.63 m/s for focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 19), 2.4 ± 1.01 m/s for hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 24), and 3.0 ± 1.36 m/s for metastasis (n = 12). Important variations were observed within each tumor type or within a single tumor. These variations could have been due to necrosis, hemorrhage, or colloid. There was no statistically significant difference between the benign and malignant groups. Regarding background liver, it was possible to observe pathologic abnormalities in histologic analyses or liver function tests to explain the ARFI data. The degree of fibrosis was not the only determinant of liver stiffness in background liver; other factors such as portal embolization, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome caused by chemotherapy, and cholestasis, also could have interfered. CONCLUSIONS Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography could not allow differentiation between benign and malignant tumors. This study provides a better understanding of the correlation between ARFI and histologic data for both tumors and background liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Frulio
- Department of Radiology, Saint Andre Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, 1 rue Jean Burguet, 33075 Bordeaux, France.
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Evaluation of shearwave elastography for the characterisation of focal liver lesions on ultrasound. Eur Radiol 2012; 23:1138-49. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-012-2692-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2012] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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