LI-RADS-CEUS – proposal for a contrast-enhanced ultrasound algorithm for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk populations

Author(s):  
B Schellhaas ◽  
D Wildner ◽  
L Pfeifer ◽  
RS Görtz ◽  
A Hagel ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Hui Huang ◽  
Si-min Ruan ◽  
Meng-fei Xian ◽  
Ming-de Li ◽  
Mei-qing Cheng ◽  
...  

Objectives: This study aimed to construct a prediction model based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) ultrasomics features and investigate its efficacy in predicting early recurrence (ER) of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after resection or ablation. Methods: This study retrospectively included 215 patients with primary HCC, who were divided into a developmental cohort (n = 139) and a test cohort (n = 76). Four representative images—grayscale ultrasound, arterial phase, portal venous phase and delayed phase —were extracted from each CEUS video. Ultrasomics features were extracted from tumoral and peritumoral area inside the region of interest. Logistic-regression was used to establish models, including a tumoral model, a peritumoral model and a combined model with additional clinical risk factors. The performance of the three models in predicting recurrence within 2 years was verified. Results: The combined model performed best in predicting recurrence within 2 years, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.845, while the tumoral model had an AUC of 0.810 and the peritumoral model one of 0.808. For prediction of recurrence-free survival, the 2 year cumulative recurrence rate was significant higher in the high-risk group (76.5%) than in the low-risk group (9.5%; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: These CEUS ultrasomics models, especially the combined model, had good efficacy in predicting early recurrence of HCC. The combined model has potential for individual survival assessment for HCC patients undergoing resection or ablation. Advances in knowledge: CEUS ultrasomics had high sensitivity, specificity and PPV in diagnosing early recurrence of HCC, and high efficacy in predicting early recurrence of HCC (AUC > 0.8). The combined model performed better than the tumoral ultrasomics model and peritumoral ultrasomics model in predicting recurrence within 2 years. Recurrence was more likely to occur in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group, with 2-year cumulative recurrence rates respectively 76.5% and 9.5% (p < 0.0001).


Author(s):  
Hang Zhou ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Linyao Du ◽  
Jiapeng Jiang ◽  
Qing Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To determine the diagnostic performance and inter-reader agreement of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound liver imaging reporting and data system (CEUS-LI-RADS) for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. Methods In this prospective study, CEUS-LI-RADS categories (LR-5 for predicting HCC) were assigned by six blinded readers and compared to the definitive HCC diagnosis in patients with liver cirrhosis per the 2017 China Liver Cancer Guidelines (CLCG). CEUS features were recorded in 96 patients with 96 histology-proven lesions. The diagnostic performance of LR-5 was described by the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Multi-reader agreement was assessed by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results In cirrhotic patients, the specificity of LR-5 (range: 92.7–100.0 %) was statistically higher than that of CLCG for each reader (range: 28.6–64.3 %). However, the sensitivity (range: 38.6–63.6 %) and accuracy (range: 53.4–70.7 %) were statistically lower in CEUS-LIRADS than in CLCG (sensitivity range: 88.6–100.0 %; accuracy range: 77.6–86.2 %). Only fair to moderate inter-reader agreement was achieved for the CEUS-LI-RADS category (ICC = 0.595) and washout appearance (ICC range: 0.338 to 0.555). Neither nodule-in-nodule nor mosaic architecture was observed more often in HCC (all P > 0.05), with poor inter-reader consistency for both (both ICC < 0.20). Conclusion CEUS-LI-RADS category 5 has a high specificity but a low accuracy for identifying HCC in high-risk patients. Inter-reader agreement is not satisfactory concerning CEUS-LIRADS category and washout appearance. Moreover, the clinical value of ancillary features favoring HCC is quite limited.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Ghiuchici ◽  
Mirela Dănilă ◽  
Alina Popescu ◽  
Roxana Șirli ◽  
Tudor Moga ◽  
...  

Aims: to evaluate the accuracy of LR-5 category from the latest Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound algorithm (ACR CEUS LI-RADSv 2017) for the noninvasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in a real-life cohort of high-risk patients. Material and methods: We retrospectively re-analysed the CEUS studies of 464 focal liver lesions (FLL) in 382 patients at high-risk for HCC (liver cirrhosis of any aetiology, chronic B or C hepatitis with severe fibrosis) using the ACR CEUS LI-RADSv 2017 algorithm. CEUS LI-RADS categories used for the diagnosis of HCC were: CEUS LR-5 (definitely HCC) and CEUS LR-TIV (HCC with macrovascular invasion). Contrast-enhanced CT, contrast-enhanced MRI, or histology were used as diagnostic reference methods to evaluate the CEUS LI-RADS classification of the 464 lesions. Results: According to the reference method, the 464 lesions were classified as follows: 359 HCCs, 68 non-HCC-non-malignant lesions and 37 non-HCC malignant lesions. The diagnostic accuracy of LR-5 category for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was 76.9%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 71.9%, 94.3 %, 97.7% and 49.5%, respectively. Conclusions: LR-5 category from ACR CEUS LI-RADSv 2017 algorithm, has good sensitivity, excellent specificity, and PPV for the diagnosis of HCC. The HCC rate increases from LR-3 to LR-5.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (06) ◽  
pp. 667-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Schellhaas ◽  
Lukas Pfeifer ◽  
Christian Kielisch ◽  
Ruediger Goertz ◽  
Markus Neurath ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This pilot study aimed at assessing interobserver agreement with two contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) algorithms for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. Methods Focal liver lesions in 55 high-risk patients were assessed independently by three blinded observers with two standardized CEUS algorithms: ESCULAP (Erlanger Synopsis of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Liver Lesion Assessment in Patients at risk) and ACR-CEUS-LI-RADSv.2016 (American College of Radiology CEUS-Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System). Lesions were categorized according to size and ultrasound contrast enhancement in the arterial, portal-venous and late phase. Interobserver agreement for assessment of enhancement pattern and categorization was compared between both CEUS algorithms. Additionally, diagnostic accuracy for the definitive diagnosis of HCC was compared. Histology and/or CE-MRI and follow-up served as reference standards. Results 55 patients were included in the study (male/female, 44/ 11; mean age: 65.9 years). 90.9 % had cirrhosis. Histological findings were available in 39/55 lesions (70.9 %). Reference standard of the 55 lesions revealed 48 HCCs, 2 intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas (ICCs), and 5 non-HCC-non-ICC lesions. Interobserver agreement was moderate to substantial for arterial phase hyperenhancement (ĸ = 0.53 – 0.67), and fair to moderate for contrast washout in the portal-venous or late phase (ĸ = 0.33 – 0.53). Concerning the CEUS-based algorithms, the interreader agreement was substantial for the ESCULAP category (ĸ = 0.64 – 0.68) and fair for the CEUS-LI-RADS® category (ĸ = 0.3 – 0.39). Disagreement between observers was mostly due to different perception of washout. Conclusion Interobserver agreement is better for ESCULAP than for CEUS-LI-RADS®. This is mostly due to the fact that perception of contrast washout varies between different observers. However, interobserver agreement is good for arterial phase hyperenhancement, which is the key diagnostic feature for the diagnosis of HCC with CEUS in the cirrhotic liver.


Author(s):  
Barbara Schellhaas ◽  
Thomas Bernatik ◽  
Wolfram Bohle ◽  
Fanny Borowitzka ◽  
Johannes Chang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This prospective multicenter study funded by the DEGUM assesses the diagnostic accuracy of standardized contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the noninvasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. Methods Patients at high risk for HCC with a histologically proven focal liver lesion on B-mode ultrasound were recruited prospectively in a multicenter approach. Clinical and imaging data were entered via online entry forms. The diagnostic accuracies for the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC were compared for the conventional interpretation of standardized CEUS at the time of the examination (= CEUS on-site) and the two CEUS algorithms ESCULAP (Erlanger Synopsis for Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound for Liver lesion Assessment in Patients at risk) and CEUS LI-RADS (Contrast-Enhanced UltraSound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System). Results 321 patients were recruited in 43 centers; 299 (93.1 %) had liver cirrhosis. The diagnosis according to histology was HCC in 256 cases, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) in 23 cases. In the subgroup of cirrhotic patients (n = 299), the highest sensitivity for the diagnosis of HCC was achieved with the CEUS algorithm ESCULAP (94.2 %) and CEUS on-site (90.9 %). The lowest sensitivity was reached with the CEUS LI-RADS algorithm (64 %; p < 0.001). However, the specificity of CEUS LI-RADS (78.9 %) was superior to that of ESCULAP (50.9 %) and CEUS on-site (64.9 %; p < 0.001). At the same time, the negative predictive value (NPV) of CEUS LI-RADS was significantly inferior to that of ESCULAP (34.1 % vs. 67.4 %; p < 0.001) and CEUS on-site (62.7 %; p < 0.001). The positive predictive values of all modalities were high (around 90 %), with the best results seen for CEUS LI-RADS and CEUS on-site. Conclusion This is the first multicenter, prospective comparison of standardized CEUS and the recently developed CEUS-based algorithms in histologically proven liver lesions in cirrhotic patients. Our results reaffirm the excellent diagnostic accuracy of CEUS for the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC in high-risk patients. However, on-site diagnosis by an experienced examiner achieves an almost equal diagnostic accuracy compared to CEUS-based diagnostic algorithms.


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