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,efficacy and tolerability of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(RFA) for treating malignant tumor in the caudate lobe.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in the patients with malignant tumor in the caudate lobe treated by percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) from January 2009 to July 2016.The epigastric approach (EA),the intercostal approach (IA) and an approach combining EA and IA were used as the paths of puncture.Intraprocedural contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was used to evaluate the ablation effect.The enhancement of CT/MR was used as the gold standard to evaluate the ablation effect within 1 to 3 months after surgery.Technical success (TS),technique efficacy (TE),local tumor progression (LTP) and complications were documented.Results A total of 14 patients with 14 malignant tumors in the caudate lobe of the liver were included in this study.The EA,IA,and the approach combining EA and IA were used in 7,6,and 1 patient,respectively.Intraprocedural CEUS showed complete ablation in all cases.CT / MRI evaluation within 1 to 3 months after surgery showed that the complete ablation rate was 100％ (14/14).After a median follow-up of 15.5 months (interquartile range,3 55 months),2 patients had recurrence in other regions of the liver,there was no local tumor progression and no serious complications occurred in 14 patients.Conclusions Ultrasound guided RFA is a safe,effective and important mean for the treatment of malignant tumors in caudate lobe of liver.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of three-dimensional ultrasound-ultrasound(3DUS-US)fusion imaging based on electromagnetic positioning in the assessment of ablation zone of liver tumor through experimental study in phantom models.Methods Sixteen phantom models which could be ablated and used to assess the ablation zone were established.Then,they were ablated and divided into complete ablation group(n =8)and incomplete ablation group(n =8)randomly.Their ablation effects were assessed by 3DUS-US fusion imaging.If the tumor model was assessed as incomplete ablation,the maximum thickness of the residual tumor was measured.The assessments of gross specimen were used as golden standard to validate the feasibility and accuracy of assessment of 3DUS-US fusion imaging.The success rate of registration,duration time of fusion imaging,accuracy rate of assessment and measurement error in incomplete ablation group were recorded.Results All of the 16 phantom models were produced successfully.The success rate of registration was 100% and the duration time of 3DUS-US fusion imaging was(3.9±1.0)min.The accuracy rate of assessment was 100%.There was no significant difference between the assessment of residual tumor thickness in incomplete ablation group by 3DUS-US fusion imaging and gross specimen(t=-0.814,P =0.442),and the measurement error was(1.1±0.6) mm.Conclusions 3DUS-US fusion imaging based on electromagnetic positioning is a feasible,accurate and convenient method in the assessment of ablation zone of liver tumor.It would be a new immediate precise assessment method during ablation procedure for liver tumor.