ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the value of arrival time parametric imaging (ATPI) of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for differential diagnosis of gallbladder lesions. Methods: Data of 25 patients with gallbladder carcinoma and 22 with benign gallbladder lesions who received CEUS and cholecystectomy were reviewed. ATPI system was used to analyze CEUS imaging. The artery patterns of the lesions on ATPI in artery phase were evaluated. Then quantitative parameters, including arrival time of gallbladder lesions, arrival time of surrounding liver as well as the time difference (△T) were analyzed. Results: The artery patterns were different between benign and malignant gallbladder lesions in artery phase (P0.05). However, △T (the arrival time difference of lesions and the surrounding liver) of benign (-0.21±1.37)s and malignant (-2.69±1.37)s lesions were statistically significant (P<0.001).Taken -1.05 s as the cut off value of △T, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive and value accuracy in differentiating gallbladder carcinoma from benign lesions was 81.80%, 92.00%, 85.20%, 90.00% and 87.20%, respectively. Conclusion: Artery patterns and parameters of ATPI of CEUS are helpful to differential diagnosis of benign and malignant gallbladder lesions.