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Objectives: To assess the value of 3D multiparametric ultrasound imaging, combining hemodynamic and tissue stiffness quantifications by machine learning, for the prediction of prostate biopsy outcomes., Methods: After signing informed consent, 54 biopsy-naïve patients underwent a 3D dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) recording, a multi-plane 2D shear-wave elastography (SWE) scan with manual sweeping from base to apex of the prostate, and received 12-core systematic biopsies (SBx). 3D maps of 18 hemodynamic parameters were extracted from the 3D DCE-US quantification and a 3D SWE elasticity map was reconstructed based on the multi-plane 2D SWE acquisitions. Subsequently, all the 3D maps were segmented and subdivided into 12 regions corresponding to the SBx locations. Per region, the set of 19 computed parameters was further extended by derivation of eight radiomic features per parameter. Based on this feature set, a multiparametric ultrasound approach was implemented using five different classifiers together with a sequential floating forward selection method and hyperparameter tuning. The classification accuracy with respect to the biopsy reference was assessed by a group-k-fold cross-validation procedure, and the performance was evaluated by the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (AUC)., Results: Of the 54 patients, 20 were found with clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) based on SBx. The 18 hemodynamic parameters showed mean AUC values varying from 0.63 to 0.75, and SWE elasticity showed an AUC of 0.66. The multiparametric approach using radiomic features derived from hemodynamic parameters only produced an AUC of 0.81, while the combination of hemodynamic and tissue-stiffness quantifications yielded a significantly improved AUC of 0.85 for csPCa detection (p-value < 0.05) using the Gradient Boosting classifier., Conclusions: Our results suggest 3D multiparametric ultrasound imaging combining hemodynamic and tissue-stiffness features to represent a promising diagnostic tool for biopsy outcome prediction, aiding in csPCa localization., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest Prof. Massimo Mischi and Prof. Hessel Wijkstra are the advisors of the company Angiogenesis Analytics (the Netherlands)., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although conventional ultrasound (CUS) allows for clear detection of parotid gland lesions (PGLs), it fails to accurately provide benign-malignant differentiation due to overlapping morphological features. Radiomics is capable of processing large-quantity volume of data hidden in CUS image undiscovered by naked eyes. The aim was to explore the potential of CUS-based radiomics score (Rad-score) in distinguishing benign (BPGLs) and malignant PGLs (MPGLs). A consecutive of 281 PGLs (197 in training set and 84 in test set) with definite pathological confirmation was retrospectively enrolled. 1465 radiomics features were extracted from CUS images and Rad-score was constructed by using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithm. Different nomogram models, including clinic-radiomics (Clin + Rad-score), CUS-clinic (CUS + Clin) and combined CUS-clinic-radiomics (CUS + Clin + Rad-score), were built using logistic regression. The diagnostic performance of different models were calculated and compared by area under receiver operating curve (AUC) and corresponding sensitivity and specificity. Finally, 26 radiomics features were independent signatures for predicting MPGLs, with MPGLs having higher Rad-scores in both cohorts (both P < 0.05). In the test population, CUS + Clin + Rad-score obtained an excellent diagnostic result, with significantly higher AUC value (AUC = 0.91) when compared to that of CUS + Clin (AUC = 0.84) and Clin + Rad-score (AUC = 0.74), respectively (both P < 0.05). In addition, the sensitivity of this combined model was higher than that of single Rad-score model (100.00% vs. 71.43%, P = 0.031) without compromising the specificity value (82.86% vs. 88.57%, P = 0.334). The calibration curve and decision curve analysis also indicated the clinical effectiveness of the proposed combined nomogram. The combined CUS-clinic-radiomics model may help improve the discrimination of BPGLs from MPGLs., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to identify the applicability of an ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) for the noninvasive assessment of hepatic steatosis in clinical practice and to compare its correlation with B-mode ultrasound (US). From May to July 2021, 63 subjects with different body mass index (BMI) grades were included in the prospective study. All of them performed UGAP measurements, under different breathing manipulations, positions, diet statuses, and operators. After that, the UGAP values were compared with the visual grades of hepatic steatosis on B-mode US using a 4-point scale method. The intraclass correlation (ICC) of the UGAP values between the two radiologists was 0.862 (p < 0.001), and the ICCs of the UGAP values on the same day and different days by radiologist A were 0.899 (p < 0.001) and 0.910 (p < 0.001), respectively. There were no significant differences in UGAP values under different breathing manipulations (p > 0.05), positions (p > 0.05), or diet statuses (p = 0.300). The UGAP values in the fasting (supine position, segment V, 1) condition among the lean (BMI < 24 kg/m 2 ), overweight (24 kg/m 2  ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m 2 ) and obese groups (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m 2 ) were 0.60 ± 0.12, 0.66 ± 0.14, and 0.71 ± 0.11 dB/cm/MHz, respectively, with a significant difference (p = 0.006). The correlation coefficients (Rho) between the UGAP values and the visual grades of hepatic steatosis by the two reviewers were 0.845 (p < 0.001) and 0.850 (p < 0.001), corresponding to a strong relationship. Steatosis grades by reviewer 1 (p = 0.036) and reviewer 2 (p = 0.003) were significant factors determining the UGAP values according to the multivariate linear regression analysis. UGAP demonstrated excellent intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility in the assessment of hepatic steatosis. UGAP may be a promising tool in clinical practice to predict hepatic steatosis., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare developmental lung abnormality, that typically manifests in neonates and infants but rarely in adults. Ultrasound is an important method of diagnosing CCAM in neonates and infants; however, few articles have reported the value of transthoracic lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of CCAM in adults., Patient Concerns: We present a case of a 34-year-old woman with a cavitary lesion in her left lower lobe, that suggested chronic inflammation., Diagnosis: The patient underwent ultrasound examination and contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided transthoracic core biopsy; histology suggested the diagnosis of lung hamartoma. Surgical resection of the lesion followed by histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of CCAM., Interventions: The patient underwent transthoracic core biopsy under contrast-enhanced ultrasound guidance. A left lower lobectomy was then performed subsequently., Outcomes: The patient had a smooth recovery and remained asymptomatic during the 12-months of postoperative follow-up., Conclusion: We report a rare case of CCAM to suggest that transthoracic ultrasound combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a safe and effective method of diagnosing the subpleural lung malformations in adults, thereby avoiding multiple radiation exposures and associated complications.

The present, updated document describes the fourth iteration of recommendations for the hepatic use of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), first initiated in 2004 by the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB). The previous updated editions of the guidelines reflected changes in the available contrast agents and updated the guidelines not only for hepatic but also for non-hepatic applications.The 2012 guideline requires updating as previously the differences of the contrast agents were not precisely described and the differences in contrast phases as well as handling were not clearly indicated. In addition, more evidence has been published for all contrast agents. The update also reflects the most recent developments in contrast agents, including the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as well as the extensive Asian experience, to produce a truly international perspective.These guidelines and recommendations provide general advice on the use of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) and are intended to create standard protocols for the use and administration of UCA in liver applications on an international basis to improve the management of patients., Competing Interests: Christoph F Dietrich: Speaker honoraria, Bracco, Hitachi, GE, Mindray, Supersonic, Pentax, Olympus, Fuji, Boston Scientific, AbbVie, Falk Foundation, Novartis, Roche; Advisory Board Member, Hitachi, Mindray, Siemens; Research grant, GE, Mindray, SuperSonic Richard G Barr: Speaker honoraria, Bracco, Hitachi, GE, Mindray, Supersonic, Philips, Siemens, Lantheus, Canon; Advisory Board – Lanteus and Bracco Diagnostics; Board Member – ICUS; Research Grants – Siemens Ultrasound, Philips Ultrasound, GE Ultrasound, GE Medical, Mindray, SuperSonic Imagine, B and K Ultrasound Annalisa Berzigotti: Research grant, Bracco Byung Ihn Choi: Speaker honoraria, Samsung Dirk André Clevert: Speaker honoraria, Bracco, GE, Samsung, Philips, Siemens, Falk Foundation Jean-Michel Correas: Speaker Honoraria, Canon MS, Hitachi MS, Philips US, SuperSonic Imagine, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson; Speaker honoraria, Bracco SA: Principal investigator of BR1-127 et SonoCap studies; Speaker honoraria, Guerbet SA: Principal investigator of NsSafe and Secure studies Odd Helge Gilja: Speaker honoraria, GE Healthcare, Takeda AS; Advisory Consulting, GE, Takeda and Samsung Vito Cantisani: Speaker honoraria, Samsung, Bracco, Canon J. Brian Fowlkes: Research grants, Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare; Stock Ownership, Histosonics Adrian Lim: Advisory Board, Canon Medical Systems, Carestream; Research grant – Philips Medical Systems; Speaker honoraria – Canon, Bracco Maria Franca Meloni: Speaker honoraria, Bracco Christian Jenssen: Speaker honoraia, Hitachi, Bracco, Falk Foundation; Expert witness, Hitachi Mirko D’Onofrio: Speaker honoraria, Bracco, Siemens; Advisory Board, Bracco, Siemens, Hitachi; Research grant, Hitach; Congress Support, Bracco, Siemens Fabio Piscaglia: Speaker honoraria, Bracco, Bayer, EISAI, Guerbet; Advisory board honoraria: Bayer, EISAI; Research Contract: ESAOTE Masatoshi Kudo: Speaker honoraria, Bayer, Eisai, MSD, Ajinomoto; Research Grants, Chugai, Otsuka, Takeda, Taiho, Sumitomo Dainippon, Daiichi Sankyo, MSD, Eisai, Bayer, Abbvie, Medico’s Hirata, Astellas Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb; Advisory Consulting, Kowa, MSD, BMS, Bayer, Chugai, Taiho, Eisai, Ono pharmaceutical Yi Dong: Speaker honoraria, Bracco, Siemens Yuko Kono: Equipment support Canon, GE; Contast agent support Lantheus, Bracco Andrej Lyshchik: Speaker honoraria, GE Healthcare, Siemens, Canon; Advisory Board, Bracco Diagnostics; Consulting, GE Healthcare; Speaker panel, GE Healthcare, SonoScape; Royalties, Elsevier Zheng Rongqin: Speaker honoraria, Bracco, Esaote; Research grant, Philips; Congress support, Bracco Paul Sidhu: Speaker honoraria, Bracco, Siemens, Hitachi, GE healthcare, Philips, Samsung, Advisory Board ITREAS Ltd The following have declared no conflict of interest: Peter Burns, Cristina Chammas, Nitin G Chaubal, Pintong Huang, Andre Ignee, Nathalie Lassau, Jae-Young Lee, Yasunori Minami, Carlos Nicolau, Christian Nolsoe, Xin-Wu Cui, Adrian Saftoiu, Guido Torzilli, Ping Liang, Fuminori Moriyasu, Xiaoyan Xie, (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Fabio Piscaglia: Bayer, ESAOTE, La Force Guerbet, GE Healthcare, Bracco, Siemens Healthineers; Federico Stefanini: None; Vito Cantisani: Bracco, Samsung, Canon; Paul Sidhu: Bracco, Siemens Healtineers, Samsung, Hitachi, GE Healthcare, Philips, ITREAS; Richard Barr: Philips, Mindray, Siemens, Canon, Bracco, Hologic, Samsung; Annalisa Berzigotti: none; Maria Cristina Chammas: none; Jean-Michel Correas: Canon MS, Hitachi MS, Philips Ultrasound, Siemens Ultrasound, Supersonic Imagine; Christopher Frank Dietrich: Bracco, Hitachi, Pentax, Siemens Healthcare, Mindray, Supersonic, Jazz, Youkey; Steven Feintstein: Bracco, DIA-Imaging, GE Healthcare; Pintong Huang: Bracco, Philips, Mindray; Christan Jenssen: FALK Foundation, Hitachi, Canon, Bracco and GE; Yuko Kono: Bracco, Lantheus, GE, Canon; Masatoshi Kudo: Bayer, Eisai, GE Healthcare; Ping Liang: None; Andrej Lyshchik: GE Healthcare, Bracco Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers, Canon Medical Systems, Elsevier; Christian Nolsoe: None; Xyaoyan Xie: None; Francesco Tovoli: Bayer

Objectives: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis. However, differentiation of thrombosis and tumor-in-vein (TIV) may be challenging. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an excellent method for detection of vascularization and could help in the distinction. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis for evaluating the diagnostic value of CEUS in differentiating between PVT and TIV in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients., Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched up to the 5th of May 2019. The study quality was assessed by QUADAS-2 tool. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated by the bivariate random effect model and hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) curve was plotted., Results: Seven studies including 425 participants were analyzed after screening 986 articles searched from databases. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CEUS in diagnosing TIV were 0.94 (95%CI, 0.89-0.97) and 0.99 (95%CI, 0.80-1.00), respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of SROC curve was 0.97 (95%CI, 0.95-0.98). The pooled sensitivity and AUC were consistent across all the subgroups of different subject numbers, country, study design, CEUS contrast agents, and diagnostic criteria., Conclusions: CEUS is highly efficient in differentiating TIV from PVT and is an alternative or a substitute for CT and/or MRI., Trial Registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019138847 KEY POINTS: • Characterization of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) vs tumor-in-vein (TIV) is critical for HCC staging. • CEUS has an excellent safety profile, provides a real-time analysis without any loss in accuracy compared with CT and MRI. • This meta-analysis demonstrates that contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a suitable method for the detection of PVT and distinction with TIV.

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestations of adverse reactions after the use of SonoVue contrast agent from a large retrospective database, and to evaluate the nursing care strategies and the efficacy of standardized procedure for adverse reactions of SonoVue (SPARS).From January 1, 2012 to December 30, 2018, 34,478 cases of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were performed in our center. The clinical manifestations of adverse reactions after the use of SonoVue contrast agent were identified and analyzed. The nursing care strategies were evaluated and the outcomes of patients with moderate and severe adverse reactions before and after the application of SPARS were compared.Of the 34,478 cases, 40 cases (0.12%) of adverse reactions after the use of SonoVue were identified. Adverse reactions included anaphylatic shock, skin allergies, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or headache, numbness, chest distress, back pain, and local reactions of the injection site. Most of the adverse reactions were mild and self-limited. Only 3 cases of anaphylatic shock and 2 cases of severe rash underwent further treatments. The 3 patients who were managed by SPARS recovered quicker and spent less comparing with the other 2 patients who were not.SonoVue was a safe contrast agent, with few and mostly mild adverse reactions. SPARS may be an efficient way in tackling moderate to severe adverse reactions, although of which the incidence was rare.

Trans-rectal ultrasound-guided 12-core systematic biopsy (SBx) is the standard diagnostic pathway for prostate cancer (PCa) because of a lack of sufficiently accurate imaging. Quantification of 3-D dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) might open the way for a targeted procedure in which biopsies are directed at lesions suspicious on imaging. This work describes the expansion of contrast US dispersion imaging algorithms to 3-D and compares its performance against malignant and benign disease. Furthermore, we examined the feasibility of a multi-parametric approach to predict SBx-core outcomes using machine learning. An area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.76 and 0.81 was obtained for all PCa and significant PCa, respectively, an improvement over previous US methods. We found that prostatitis, in particular, was a source of false-positive readings., (Copyright © 2019 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in predicting early nephropathy in cynomolgus macaques with spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)., Methods: Six cynomolgus macaques with spontaneous T2DM and six normal cynomolgus macaques (Group 1) were included in this study. The time-intensity curve was used to obtain parameters such as peak values, red blood volume (RBV), red blood flow (RBF), time to peak (TTP), and mean transit time (MTT). Biopsy renal tissue samples were assessed histopathologically. Six cynomolgus macaques with spontaneous T2DM were subgrouped into T2DM without nephropathy group (Group 2) and T2DM with nephropathy group (Group 3) based on histopathological findings., Results: Peak value had the largest area under the curve comparing with RBF, RBV, TTP, MTT. The sensitivity and specificity of peak value with cut-off value of 38.65 dB for the diagnosis of DN were 98.3% and 83%, respectively. Peak value, RBV, and RBF in Group 3 was significantly decreased compared with Group 1 and Group 2 (P = 0.000, x 2  = 23.99; P = 0.003, x 2  = 9.14; P = 0.02, x 2  = 5.14)., Conclusions: The perfusion parameter of peak value in CEUS might be useful in predicting early diabetic nephropathy in spontaneous T2DM cynomolgus macaques.

Introduction: The aim of the study is to investigate the usefulness of ultrasound combined with computed tomography (CT) for distinguishing between primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT)., Material and Methods: The investigation was conducted retrospectively in 80 patients from January 2000 to July 2018. All patients underwent pathological tests to be classified into one of two groups: PTL group and HT group. The cut-off value of CT density was determined using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of diagnosis for thyroid by CT alone, ultrasound alone, and the combination of CT plus ultrasound were calculated., Results: Of the 80 study patients, 27 patients were PTL and 53 patients were HT. Mean CT density had a sensitivity of 90.6% and a specificity of 88.9% at a cut-off value of 53.5 HU, with area under the curve (AUC) 0.88. Ultrasound combined with CT had the highest specificity, accuracy, and PPV compared with CT alone and ultrasound alone (p value < 0.05)., Conclusions: Features such as extremely hypoechogenicity, enhanced posterior echo, cervical lymphadenopathy in ultrasound image, and linear high-density strand signs, and very low density in CT imaging have high sensitivity and specificity in thyroid lymphoma. Therefore, ultrasound combined with CT may be useful for distinguishing between PTL and HT.

Objective: To clarify the clinical role of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in predicting BI-RADS 4 breast disease., Methods: A total of 92 sites of BI-RADS 4 breast diseases were reassessed by routine ultrasound and CEUS. The main indicators of routine ultrasound, CEUS and the combination of the two modalities were picked up by binary logistic regression analysis, scoring 0 for benign and 1 for malignant characteristics with pathology as referential standard to generate corresponding score systems of them. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were applied to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the three score systems., Results: As pathological results showing, there were 43 malignant and 49 benign sites in total. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the margin, micro-calcification, and hyperechoic halo were main indicators for routine ultrasound score system. The scope expansion and pathological vessels in CEUS were main indicators for CEUS score system. The microcalcification, hyperechoic halo, the scope expansion and pathological vessels in CEUS were main indicators for the combination score system of the two modalities. The sensitivity, specificity and the area under ROC curve (AUC) of routine US, CEUS and the combination of the two modalities score systems were 74.4%, 91.8%, 0.885 and 88.4%, 87.8%, 0.901 and 86.0%, 95.9%, 0.937, respectively., Conclusion: In summary, CEUS is helpful for us to identify malignant disease and plays a supplementary role in predicting BI-RADS 4 breast disease in some extent. The scope expansion and pathological vessels in CEUS may be the most useful indicators.

To investigate quantitative 3-D dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) and, in particular 3-D contrast-ultrasound dispersion imaging (CUDI), for prostate cancer detection and localization, 43 patients referred for 10-12-core systematic biopsy underwent 3-D DCE-US. For each 3-D DCE-US recording, parametric maps of CUDI-based and perfusion-based parameters were computed. The parametric maps were divided in regions, each corresponding to a biopsy core. The obtained parameters were validated per biopsy location and after combining two or more adjacent regions. For CUDI by correlation (r) and for the wash-in time (WIT), a significant difference in parameter values between benign and malignant biopsy cores was found (p < 0.001). In a per-prostate analysis, sensitivity and specificity were 94% and 50% for r, and 53% and 81% for WIT. Based on these results, it can be concluded that quantitative 3-D DCE-US could aid in localizing prostate cancer. Therefore, we recommend follow-up studies to investigate its value for targeting biopsies., (Copyright © 2018 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the value of ultrasonography in differential diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) and wall-thickening type of gallbladder cancer (GBC)., Methods: The clinical features and sonographic finding of 31 patients with XGC and 36 patients with wall-thickening type of GBC were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of all cases was confirmed by pathological examination, and the ultrasonographic manifestations of the thickening of the gallbladder wall, intramural hypoechoic nodules, gallbladder mucosa line, gallbladder stones, biliary dilatation and gallbladder-liver boundary were compared between two groups., Results: There were significant differences in the intramural hypoechoic nodules, the continuous gallbladder wall mucosal line and dilatation of bile duct between XGC and GBC groups (all P <0.05), while no statistically significant differences in the other sonographic features(all P >0.05). In the six positive sonographic features of the XGC patients, the intramural hypoechoic nodules and the continuous mucosa line of the gallbladder wall had highest accuracy in the diagnosis of XGC(64.2% and 65.7%)., Conclusions: Intramural hypoechoic nodule and the continuous mucosal line are characteristic sonographic features of XGC, which can be used for the diagnosis of XGC.

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) with double contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCEUS), in which intravenous microbubbles are used alongside oral contrast-enhanced ultrasound, in determining the gross classification of patients with gastric carcinoma (GC). Altogether, 239 patients with GC proved by histology after endoscopic biopsy were included in this study. DCEUS and MDCT were performed pre-operatively. The diagnostic accuracies of DCEUS and MDCT in determining the gross classification were calculated and compared. The overall accuracy of DCEUS in determining the gross appearance of GC was higher than that of MDCT (84.9% vs. 79.9%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in accuracy between DCEUS and MDCT for Borrmann I and IV classifications of advanced gastric cancer (χ(2), p = 0.323 for Borrmann type I, p = 0.141 for Borrmann type IV). The accuracy of DCEUS for early GC and Borrmann II and III classifications of GC was higher than that of MDCT (χ(2), p = 0.000 for all). DCEUS may be regarded as a valuable complementary tool to MDCT in determining the gross appearance of gastric adenocarcinoma pre-operatively., (Copyright © 2016 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCEUS) for assessing the Borrmann classification of advanced gastric carcinoma (AGC) preoperatively. Three hundred twenty nine patients with proved AGC were enrolled. DCEUS (intravenous microbubbles combined with combined with oral contrast-enhanced ultrasound) was performed preoperatively. The diagnostic accuracy of DCEUS in determining Borrmann classification was compared with postoperative pathological findings. The reliability of DCEUS was analyzed. The accuracy of DCEUS in determining the Borrmann classification of AGC was 91.49%. The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was both almost perfect for assessing the Borrmann classification of AGC by DCEUS. DCEUS could be considered as an accurate, non-invasive, and reliable diagnostic method for preoperative Borrmann classification of advanced gastric carcinoma.

The aim was to build a predictive model based on ultrasonography (US)-based deep learning model (US-DLM) and clinical features (Clin) for differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other malignancy (OM) in cirrhotic patients. 112 patients with 120 HCCs and 60 patients with 61 OMs were included. They were randomly divided into training and test cohorts with a 4:1 ratio for developing and evaluating US-DLM model, respectively. Significant Clin predictors of OM in the training cohort were combined with US-DLM to build a nomogram predictive model (US-DLM+Clin). The diagnostic performance of US-DLM and US-DLM+Clin were compared with that of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) liver imaging and reporting system category M (MRI LR-M). US-DLM was the best independent predictor for evaluating OMs, followed by clinical information, including high cancer antigen 199 (CA199) level and female. The US-DLM achieved an AUC of 0.74 in the test cohort, which was comparable with that of MRI LR-M (AUC=0.84, p=0.232). The US-DLM+Clin for predicting OMs also had similar AUC value (0.81) compared with that of LR-M+Clin (0.83, p>0.05). US-DLM+Clin obtained a higher specificity, but a lower sensitivity, compared to that of LR-M +Clin (Specificity: 82.6% vs. 73.9%, p=0.007; Sensitivity: 78.6% vs. 92.9%, p=0.006) for evaluating OMs in the test set. The US-DLM+Clin model is valuable in differentiating HCC from OM in the setting of cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of echo tracking to evaluation of common carotid artery wall elasticity in smokers and the effects of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia on common carotid artery wall elasticity in smokers. Subjects were divided into three groups based on smoking status and presence of complications: group A (healthy control group), group B1 (simple smoking group) and group B2 (smoking with complications group). Complications included one or several symptoms of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery was measured with ultrasound, and wall stiffness index(β), pressure-strain elasticity modulus (E p), arterial compliance, augmentation index and local pulse wave velocity (PWVβ) were measured with echo tracking. We also determined the systolic (D s) and diastolic (D d) lumen diameters of the common carotid artery and systolic (P s) and diastolic (P d) pressures. The differences in β, E p and PWVβ among the three groups in this study were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Augmentation index was increased in group B2 compared with groups B1 and A, with the differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Differences in augmentation index between groups B1 and A, differences in arterial compliance among the three groups and differences in intima-media thickness among the three groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), but differences in D s and D d among the three groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Differences in P s and P d between groups A and B1 were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), whereas those between groups B1 and B2 were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Echo tracking can be used to quantitatively evaluate the effect of smoking on common carotid artery wall elasticity and the effects of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia on common carotid artery wall elasticity in smokers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]