Study on correlation between two-dimensional ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and microvascular invasion in...

To explore the correlation between two-dimensional ultrasound (2D-US), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

In this retrospective study, 56 patients with surgically pathologically confirmed HCC lesions were included. Patients were classified according to the presence of MVI: MVI positive group (n = 17) and MVI negative group (n = 39). 2D-US and CEUS examinations were performed within two weeks before surgery. The 2D-US and CEUS features were analyzed for correlation with MVI. Statistically significant parameters of ultrasound characteristic were scored, and the results of the scores were analyzed by ROC curve.

There were statistically significant differences in tumor shape, boundary, capsule, CEUS portal phase and delayed phase enhancement pattern, time to wash out, and tumor margin after enhancement (P < 0.05), while there were no statistically significant differences in tumor location and size, CEUS arterial phase enhancement pattern, initial time, time to peak, and peritumor enhancement (P > 0.05). When diagnosing the presence of MVI in HCC patients with cut-off value of the score combined 2D-US and CEUS features≥3, the maximum Jorden index was 0.58, and its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 94.10% and 64.1%, respectively, meaning that the total score≥3 was highly suspicious of the presence of MVI.

2D-US and CEUS are feasible methods for preoperative prediction of MVI in HCC, and can provide some theoretical basis for individualized clinical treatment.