The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of CEUS in the characterization of pancreatic solid lesions, considering cross sectional imaging techniques (CE-CT/MRI) as the “gold standard” methods. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective, monocentric study that included 91 solid pancreatic lesions which were evaluated by CEUS and by a second- line contrast imaging technique (CT or MRI), considered as the reference method. Results: The rate of a conclusive diagnosis based on a typical enhancement pattern was 94% (78/83 cases). In 72 cases out of 83 (86.7%) there was a perfect concordance between CEUS and the “gold-standard” imaging method (CE-CT/MRI). In our study, 88% (73/83) of the pancreatic lesions were categorized as malignant due to their typical wash-out aspect in the late phase. The overall accuracy of CEUS for the differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic tumors was approximately 81%. The accuracy of CEUS for the diagnosis of hypoen- hancing pancreatic tumors was approximately 89.1%; while for the diagnosis of hyperenhancing pancreatic tumors it was ap- proximately 72.8%. Conclusion: CEUS allows the differentiation between hypo- vs. hyperenhancing pancreatic solid lesions, with a considerable diagnostic accuracy, a fundamental step in the precise diagnosis of pancreatic tumors.
The value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the characterization of vascular pattern of solid pancreatic lesions
