Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

First-phase ejection fraction(EF1)is the volume change rate of left ventricle(LV)from end-diastole to the time of peak aortic velocity.This article reviewed the research progress of EF1 in detecting early left ventricular systolic dysfunction(LVSD)of patients with aortic stenosis(AS),stable coronary artery disease(SCAD),Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)and so on,analyzed the advantages and limitations of EF1 in clinical application,and envisioned the future development of EF1 as a novel predictor of early LVSD in clinical use.

Objective:To summarize the ultrasound manifestations of lung lesions in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and explore the clinical value of ultrasonography in assessing the severity of the disease.Methods:Thirty-one patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 18 to February 5, 2020, were selected as the research subjects. All of them underwent dynamic lung ultrasound. Their lung lesions were observed, and the lung ultrasound score (LUS) was performed, respectively. The correlations between the LUS and the disease classification, the LUS and the blood oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2) were analyzed, respectively. The relationship between the corresponding change of clinical classification and the LUS score when it progressed to moderate/severe was analyzed as well. Results:Among the 31 patients with COVID-19, two (6.5%) had no apparent lesions at the ultrasound, with the LUS score of 0. Twenty-nine (93.5%) showed abnormities at the ultrasound, with the LUS score from 1-26, and the main manifestations were B-line signs. Among them 6 (19.4%) had the "white lung signs" , and 13 (41.9%) had pulmonary consolidations. The LUS score was positively correlated with the clinical classification ( r s=0.683 2, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with PaO 2/FiO 2 ( r=-0.864 3, P<0.001). In the initial and dynamic ultrasonography, 13 patients were graded as moderate/severe according to their LUS scores, and the accuracy of the LUS in assessing severe/critical patients was 81.3% (13/16). It was 1-3 days earlier for the LUS progressing to moderate/severe than clinical classification. Conclusions:Pulmonary ultrasound manifestations of patients with COVID-19 have specific characteristics mainly showing as lung interstitial lesions, which can be combined with pulmonary consolidation. Ultrasound can be used in the assessment of the severity of COVID-19 noninvasively and guide clinical treatment.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided thermal ablation in the treatment of rare liver tumors.Methods Clinical data of 9 patients with rare liver tumors who underwent ultrasound-guided thermal ablation from January 2012 to December 2016 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively analyzed.The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received.Among 9 cases (14 lesions),2 patients were male and 7 female,aged (42±12) years on average.All the patients underwent ultrasound or contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided puncture and thermal ablation of the tumors.The ablation effect was evaluated immediately by contrast-enhanced ultrasound during the operation.The incidence of postoperative complications was observed.The complete ablation rate was evaluated by CT or MRI at postoperative 1 month.Results 11 lesions were treated with common ultrasound-guided thermal ablation and 3 lesions with contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided ablation.The intraoperative complete ablation rate was 100％ (14/14),and the rate at postoperative 1 month was also 100％ (14/14).No ablation related complications was observed.During the follow-up,no local tumor progression or intrahepatic and extrahepatic tumors recurrence was observed in all patients.Conclusions For rare liver tumors,ultrasound-guided thermal ablation can achieve the effect of complete ablation,providing a new therapeutic option for the patients.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of mono-modality fusion imaging using ultrasound in the intraoperative immediate evaluation of therapeutic response of liver cancer thermal ablation.Methods A total of 70 liver cancers in 53 patients that underwent thermal ablation from October to November 2015 were included in this study.Mono-modality fusion imaging using ultrasound was applied immediately after the ablation procedure to evaluate the therapeutic response of the thermal ablation.The applicable rate,the success rate of registration,the duration time,the evaluation results and the rate of supplemental ablation were recorded.Ultrasound examination was performed on the first day after ablation to evaluate the early complication.Contrast-enhanced CT/MR within 1-3 months after the procedure was regarded as the golden criteria of the treatment response.In the follow-up period,the rate of local tumor recurrence,progression-free survival and overall survival were analyzed.Results The applicable rate for mono-modality ultrasound fusion imaging is 62.9％ (44/70) while the success rate of registration is 90.9％ (40/44).The duration time for mono-modality is 2.7-7.5 min,with an average of (3.9 ± 0.9) min.Thirty-seven out of 40 liver cancers were evaluated to achieve safety margin and 3 out of 40 were not.The rate of supplemental ablation was 40％ (16/40).The rate of complete ablation was 97.3％ (36/37) according to contrast-enhanced CT/MR within 1-3 months.In the follow-up period,no local tumor recurrence was observed and the rates of intra-hepatic recurrence and overall survival were 46.7％ (14/30) and 96.7％ (29/30),respectively.Conclusions Mono-modality ultrasound fusion imaging is a convenient,feasible,safe and efficient method in the intraoperative immediate evaluation of therapeutic response of liver cancer thermal ablation.

[Objective]To compare the clinical application value of fusion imaging of ultrasound(US)and computed tomogra-phy(CT)or magnetic resonance(MR)(US-CT/MR fusion imaging)and fusion imaging of US and three-dimensional US(US-US fusion imaging)in treatment response assessment of thermal ablation combined with other surgeries and procedures.[Methods]This clinical research included patients confirmed with liver cancers that underwent thermal ablation combined with other surgeries and procedures from Aug to Dec 2015. Both US-CT/MR and US-US fusion imaging together with contrast-enhanced US was applied on the same patient to assess the treatment response of the thermal ablation during the ablation procedure. The applicable rate ,the success rate of registration and the duration required for fusion imaging were recorded and compared. Contrast-enhanced CT/MR 1-3 months after the ablation procedure was taken as the golden reference of the technical efficacy rate for ablation.[Results]67 liver can-cers in 50 patients were enrolled in this clinical research in total. The ablation of 47 lesions in 37 patients were combined with artifi-cial hydrothorax or ascites ,14 lesions in 10 patients with open surgeries and 8 lesions in 5 patients with laparoscopy surgeries. The applicable rate for US-US fusion imaging[52.5%(35/67)]was lower than that for US-CT/MR fusion imaging[98.7%(66/67)](P<0.001)while the success rate of registration for US-US fusion imaging[88.6%(31/35)]was higher than that for US-CT/MR[66.7%(44/66)](P=0.018). The duration time for US-US fusion imaging[3.8 min(2.7~10.0 min)]was significantly shorter than that for US-CT/MR fusion imaging[5.5 min(3.0 ~ 14.0 min)](P < 0.001). No major complication related to ablation was observed. The technical efficacy rate for ablation was 100%(62/62)according to the contrast-enhanced CT/MR 1-3 months after the ablation proce-dure.[Conclusion]For ablation combined with other surgeries and procedures ,US-US fusion imaging should be priority when the tumor is conspicuous in US,especially for cases combined with open surgeries while US-CT/MR fusion imaging should be selected in some cases when the tumor is inconspicuous on US.