ABSTRACT
Purpose@#The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of elastography in the differential diagnosis of benign versus malignant testicular lesions. @*Methods@#The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for relevant studies. The diagnostic accuracy of elastography was evaluated using pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, post-test probability, diagnostic odds ratio, and by summarizing the area under the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curve. @*Results@#Seven studies with 568 lesions were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 87% (95% confidence interval [CI], 81% to 92%) and 81% (95% CI, 65% to 90%), respectively. The pooled estimates of the positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were 4.48 (95% CI, 2.37 to 8.47), 0.16 (95% CI, 0.10 to 0.25), and 28.11 (95% CI, 11.39 to 69.36), respectively. The area under the HSROC curve was 90% (95% CI, 88% to 93%). @*Conclusion@#Elastography is useful for assessing the stiffness of testicular lesions and for differentiating benign from malignant lesions. Elastography can be an effective supplement to conventional ultrasonography.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the MR imaging characteristics of benign cerebellar astrocytomas(BCAs) in children. Methods The clinical and MR imaging data of twelve patients with BCAs were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.Results Of 12 tumors, 7 cases were located in the cerebellar hemisphere, 4 in the vermis, and 1 in the IV ventricle. All children were in company with hydrocephalus rated as extensive (n=9) or moderate (n=3). The tumors ranged in diameter from 23 mm to 68 mm, mean diameter 42 mm. Solid tumors were found in 5 children, and cystic areas occurred in 7 of 12 patients.BCAs were hypointense on T 1-weighted in 10 cases, and hyperintense on T 2WI in 9 cases compared with that of normal brain parenchyma. After contrast injection, BCAs marked (n=2), moderate (n=5), or absent (n=5) enhancement. Hemorrhage and calcification were not common (n=1,0, respectively).Conclusion BCAs has relative characteristic features on MRI in children, and MRI plays an important role in diagnosing and evaluating these tumors preoperatively.