Published online Sep 7, 2018. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i33.3786
Peer-review started: May 7, 2018
First decision: May 16, 2018
Revised: June 30, 2018
Accepted: July 16, 2018
Article in press: July 16, 2018
Published online: September 7, 2018
Processing time: 122 Days and 22.5 Hours
To develop a contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) predictive model for distinguishing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients.
This retrospective study consisted of 88 consecutive high-risk patients with ICC and 88 high-risk patients with HCC selected by propensity score matching between May 2004 and July 2016. Patients were assigned to two groups, namely, a training set and validation set, at a 1:1 ratio. A CEUS score for diagnosing ICC was generated based on significant CEUS features. Then, a nomogram based on the CEUS score was developed, integrating the clinical data. The performance of the nomogram was then validated and compared with that of the LR-M of the CEUS Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS).
The most useful CEUS features for ICC were as follows: rim enhancement (64.5%), early washout (91.9%), intratumoral vein (58.1%), obscure boundary of intratumoral non-enhanced area (64.5%), and marked washout (61.3%, all P < 0.05). In the validation set, the area under the curve (AUC) of the CEUS score (AUC = 0.953) for differentiation between ICC and HCC was improved compared to the LI-RADS (AUC = 0.742) (P < 0.001). When clinical data were added, the CEUS score nomogram was superior to the LI-RADS nomogram (AUC: 0.973 vs 0.916, P = 0.036, Net Reclassification Improvement: 0.077, Integrated Discrimination Index: 0.152). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the CEUS score model was notably improved compared to the LI-RADS in tumors smaller than 5.0 cm (P < 0.05) but not improved in tumors smaller than 3.0 cm (P > 0.05).
The CEUS predictive model for differentiation between ICC and HCC in high-risk patients had improved discrimination and clinical usefulness compared to the CEUS LI-RADS.
Core tip: A contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) score for predicting intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) consisting of more detailed CEUS features was constructed. The diagnostic performance of the CEUS score for differentiation between ICC and hepatocellular carcinoma were improved compared to the LR-M of the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS). A CEUS score nomogram, which added the clinical risk factors, was superior to the LI-RADS nomogram.