1.0 cm in diameter.

Objective To explore the clinical value of combined detection of CA15-3, TSGF, OPN and CA125 in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Methods The serum specimens from 187 patients with breast cancer (cancer group) were collected, tumor markers CA15-3 and CA125 were detected with electrochemiluminescence method, TSGF was detected with chemocolorimetry, and OPN was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Compared with 50 cases of patients with benign breast disease (control group), The relationship between these marker and clinical stage, recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer were analyzed. Results The serum levels of CA15-3, CA125, TSGF and OPN in cancer group were significantly higher than those in control group (P ＜0.05). Four markers in high clinical stage(Ⅲ and Ⅳ stage)[(83.21±28.67), (89.13±32.34), (278.66±137.23) U/ml and (97.4±11.7) ng/ml, respectively] were higher than those in low stage( Ⅰ and Ⅱ stage) [(60.03±19.35), (58.21±17.56), (155.79±113.11) U/ml and (77.5±10.81) ng/ml,respectively] (P ＜0.05), and those in lymphnode metastasis patients and in recurrence patients were significantly higher than those in corresponding groups (P ＜0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the combined detection of four tumor markers were 96.3 % (180/187) and 80.0 % (40/50), respectively. The average time of combined detection of serum tumor markers was 2 months ahead of the mammographic features in the recurrence patients with breast cancer. Conclusion The dynamic combined detection of CA15-3, TSGF, OPN and CA125 are better markers for monitoring recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer,which are benefit to early diagnosis and interference.

Objective To assess the characterization and usefulness of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)to diagnose solid focal lesions of pancreas(s-FLPs)in comparison to contrast enhanced computed tomography(CECT).Methods Forty-nine s-FLPs with final diagnosis were studied with low mechanical index CEUS and CECT.The enhanced patterns and diagnostic capability of CEUS were analyzed,and these results were compared with those from CECT.Results ①In CEUS,the perfusion of capillary could be detected in vascular phase.②The concordance of dual-phases enhanced patterns between CEUS and CECT was 73.5%(36/49).The concordance of enhanced level between early parenchymatous perfusion phase in CEUS and pancreatic phase in CECT could achieve 87.8%(43/49).Hypo/hypo enhancement was the most common enhanced pattern of pancreatic carcinoma in CEUS and CECT.③There was no statistical significance between CEUS and CECT in the differential diagnostic.Conclusions The concordance of enhanted patterns between CEUS and CECT is satisfactory.CEUS is similar to CECT in the differential diagnosis of s-FLPs.CEUS would become an important non-invasive diagnostic method for s-FLPs.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy and utility of percutaneous ultrasonic cholangiography in Bismuth staging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods Thirty patients who underwent surgery and obtained pathologic diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcincoma were perspectively ruled in this study. All patients with hilar obstruction underwent baseline ultrasound (BUS), percutaneous ultrasonic cholangiography (PUSC) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography(PTC) respectively. Taking operative findings as reference standard,the accuracy of the three imaging modalities in staging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma was compared. Results Among 30 patients, the accuracy of classification among BUS, PUSC and PTC was 23.3 % (7/30), 73.3 % ( 22/30 ), 73.3 % (22/30), respectively. There was statistically significant difference between BUS and PUSC, but the difference between PUSC and PTC was not statistically significant.Conclusions As a new technique for cholangiography, PUSC expands the application of ultrasound in evaluating hilar cholangiocarcinoma and is comparable to PTC in classifying hilar cholangiocarcinoma by Bismuth classification.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic performance of real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)in characterizing complex cystic focal liver lesions(FLLs).Methods Sixty seven complex cystic FLLs in 65 patients were examined with baseline ultrasound(BUS)and CEUS.BUS and CEUS images were reviewed by a resident radiologist and a staff radiologist independently.Diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis and the interobserver agreement was analyzed by weighted k statistics.Results After ROC analysis,the areas under the ROC curve(Az)were 0.917 for the staff radiologist and 0.774(P=0.044)for the resident radiologist on BUS,and were 0.935 and 0.922(P=0.42)on CEUS.A significant difference in Az between BUS and CEUS was found for the resident radiologist(0.774 versus 0.922,P=0.047),whereas not found for the staff radiologist(0.917 versus 0.935,P=0.38).Better results of specific diagnosis were obtained on CEUS[28.4%(19/67)before versus 58.2%(39/67)after review of CEUS images for resident radiologist,and 26.9%(18/67)versus 76.1%(51/67)for staff radiologist,both P＜0.001].Interobserver agreement was improved after review of CEUS images[K=0.325(95%confidence interval:0.214-0.436)on BUS versus k=0.774(95%confidence interval:0.688-0.860)on CEUS].Conclusions Real-time CEUS improves the capability of discrimination between malignant and benign lesions and specific characterization for complex cystic FLLs,as well as the interobserver agreement.

Objective To evaluate ultrasound-guided percutaneous ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods In this study, 141 patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (628 lesions) were treated by percutaneous ablation therapies, including microwave, radiofrequency, ethanol injection and hot distilled water ablation.Results The complete ablation rate was 92.0% (578/628) in this group, and was 96.3% ( 105/109 )? 92.9%(119/128)? 91.5% (311/340) and 84.3% (43/51), respectively, for microwave, radiofrequency, ethanol and hot distilled water ablation subgroups.The local recurrence rate was 13.5% ( 78/578 ), and was 11.4% (12/105)? 13.4% (16/119)? 11.9% (37/311) and 30.2% (13/43), respectively, for microwave, radiofrequency, ethanol and hot distilled water ablation subgroups.After a follow-up period of 2-66 months, liver function remained unchanged in 117 patients (81%) after ablation therapies.Patients were followed-up for 2-66 months, the 1, 3 and 5-year survival rate was 75%, 53% and 26%, respectively.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided percutaneous ablation therapies for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma are safe and effective, while incuring minimal damage to liver function and improving long-term survival.

Objective To evaluate the feasilibility of ultrasonic cholangiography(USC)with contrast agent SonoVue in evaluating the obstructive bile duct diseases.Methods Twenty patients with obstructive jaundice(choledocholithiasis in 4,post-operative biliary strictures in 2 and malignant tumors in 14)underwent uhrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainge drainage(PTCD).Afterward,USC with contrast agent SonoVue administrated from the PTCD tube and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography(PTC)were carried out in each patient.By using the surgical or PTC findings as reference standard,accuracy of USC in determining the obstructive level and cause of bstructive was evaluated.Results ①The visualization of contrast agent SonoVue was successfully obtained in all 20 patients,three order of bile duct was visualized in 19 patients.The visualization of the ultrasound contrast agent persisted more than 6 min.There was no side effect occurred during the procedure and no uncomfortable complaint after the procedure.②USC determined correctly in 18 cases.Compared with surgical or PTC findings,the accuracy of USC in determining obstructive levels was 90.0%(18/20),and the accuracy in determining the obstructive cause was 85.0%(17/20).Conclusions As a new and safe technique for cholangiography,USC is comparable to PTC in displaying the intrahepatic bite duct and determining the obstructive levels in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Objective To conclude the characterization of renal cellular carcinoma(RCC)with contrast enhanced ultrasound.Methods Seventy patients(seventy-two nodules)with RCC,which were confirmed by operation and biopsy underwent conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS).Microbubble agents SonoVue and contrast pulse sequence(CPS)were used.The conventional uItrasonographic characterization and the enhancement patterns of lesions were analyzed.Results On baseline sonography,the numbers of lesions that showed hypoechogenicity,isoechogenicity,and hyperechogenicity were 44.4%(32/72),25.0%(18/72)and 30.6%(22/72),respectively.Only 28 lesions(38.9%)showed flow signals on color Doppler sonography,the mean maximum velocity of which WSS(43.7±16.8)cm/s(range,24.8-95 cm/s),and the mean resistance index was 0.635±0.11(range.0.52-0.83).Sixty-three(87.5%)lesions were hyper-vascular in cortical phase.Among them forty-eight(76.2%)lesions were hypo-enhanced,and fifteen(23.8%)lesions were still hyper-vascular in late phase.The remaining nine hypervascular nodules in cortical phase were still hyper-enhancing in late phase.Fifty-four(75.0%)lesions were inhomogeneous enhancement.and pseudocapsule was observed in sixty-three(87.5%)RCC lesions.Conclusions The enhancement patterns of RCC are characteristic,and CEUS may be helpful in differential diagnosis of focal renal lesions.

Objective To compare the enhancement pattern of hilar cholangiocarcinoma on contrast-enhanced sonography(CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CECT). Methods Thirty-two hilar cholangiocarcinoma lesions in 32 patients were evaluated by CEUS and CECT. CEUS was performed with contrast agent of SonoVue and low mechanical index contrast specific mode. CECT was performed with contrast media of Ultravist and a standard biphasic helical CT scanning protocol. Results In arterial phase of CEUS and CECT,the numbers of the lesions showing hyper-enhancement were 14 (43.8 % ) and 12 (37.5 % ), iso-enhancement were 14 (43.8%) and 9(28. 1%),hypo-enhancement were 4(12.5%) and 11(34.4%),respectively (P = 0. 162).Three lesions (9.4%) showed periphery rim-like hyper-enhancement and 29 (90.6%) showed diffuse homogeneous or heterogeneous enhanced of the whole tumor on CEUS, whereas for CECT the number were 2 (6. 3%) and 30 (93. 8%) respectively ( P = 1. 000). In portal phase, the numbers of the lesions showing hypo-enhancement on CEUS and CECT were 30 (93.8 % ) and 23 ( 71.90% ), iso-enhancement were 1 ( 3.1 % ) and 8 ( 25.0 % ), hyper-enhancement were 1(3. 1%) and 1 (3. 1%), respectively ( P = 0. 046). The portal vein invasion was correctly detected in 16 ( 84. 2 % ), 17 (89. 5 % ), 15 (78.9 % ) lesions with baseline ultrasound, CEUS and CECT, respectively. CEUS and CECT correctly diagnosed 30(93.8% ) and 25 (78. 1% ) lesions prior to operation (P = 0. 125). Conclusions The enhancement pattern of hilar cholangiocarcinoma on CEUS was similar with that on CECT in arterial phase, whereas in portal phase hilar cholangiocarcinoma was prone to show hypo-enhancement on CEUS. CEUS and CECT has similar diagnostie efficacy prior to operation.

Objective To investigate the features of hepatic angiomyolipoma(AML) on contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Methods Ten pathologically proved AML lesions in 9 patients were evaluated by using baseline ultrasound and CEUS. CEUS was performed with contrast pulse sequencing technique and the contrast agent of SonoVue. Results On baseline ultrasound, 7 lesions exhibited mixed echoic,which was obvious hyperechoic combined with partly of hypoechoie; 3 lesions exhitited obvious hypereehoic. On color Doppler flow imaging artery signals were detected in all lesions. And the lesions had plenty or slightly plenty of artery supply,with resistive index about 0.53 4±0.10 (0.48~0.62). On CEUS, in the arterial phase, 9 lesions exhibited hyper-enhanced. In the portal phase, 5 lesions exhibited iso-enhancement,1 lesion was slightly hyper-enhancement and 3 lesions was hypo-enhancement. In the late phase 6 lesions were iso-enhancement and 3 lesions were hypo-enhancement. One lesion was all hypo-enhancement in all three phases. Conclusions There are some characteristic manifestations of hepatic AML in CEUS, which are helpful for the diagnosis of hepatic AML in a way,but we still need more experiences.