Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and gallbladder diseases - A retrospective mono-center analysis of imaging findings with histopathological correlation
Issue title: Selected Papers of the Joint Conference of the ESCHM-ISCH-ISB-2018, 2-6 July, 2018, Krakow, Poland
Affiliations: [a]
Department of Radiology, Interdisciplinary Ultrasound-Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich - Grosshadern Campus, Munich, Germany
| [b]
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Dr. med. Giovanna Negrão de Figueiredo, M.D. Department of Radiology, Interdisciplinary Ultrasound Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich – Grosshadern Campus Marchioninistr. 15 81377 Munich, Germany. Tel.: +49 89 44007 3620; Fax: +49 89 44007 8832; E-mail: Giovanna.Negrao_de_Figueiredo@med.uni-muenchen.de.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Radiologic imaging, especially ultrasound has an important role in the assessment of gallbladder alteration. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an easy and fast imaging technique that overcomes the limitations of greyscale ultrasonography. It is a safe tool that can be used as an additional imaging modality in order to elucidate and differentiate gallbladder pathological findings. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study analysis is to assess the diagnostic performance of CEUS in gallbladder alterations and compare the results to the histopathological findings. METHODS:A total of 17 patients between 2009 and 2017 with uncertain gallbladder appearance were retrospectively analysed. A single experienced physician with more than fifteen years’ experience performed CEUS examinations by applying a second-generation blood pool agent (SonoVue®, Bracco, Milan, Italy). Archived images were interpreted by the same physician and compared to the histopathological findings. RESULTS:CEUS results, when correlated to the respectively pathologic findings, presented a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. All patients were successfully examined without any adverse reaction. CONCLUSION:In conclusion, the excellent results in this study acknowledged that CEUS is a feasible alternative tool to differentiate gallbladder pathologic alterations.
