Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in differential diagnosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma and angiomyolipoma / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) features of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and angiomyolipoma (AML), and to explore the value of CEUS for differential diagnosis. Methods CEUS appearance of 106 CCRCCs and 25 AMLs confirmed pathologically were analyzed retrospectively. For each lesion, the enhancement degree, the homogeneity of enhancement, the presence of perilesional enhancement, the washing-in and washing-out pattern and the process of enhancement (i.e. diffuse, centrifugal or centripetal enhancement) were evaluated. The results were compared with the pathologic findings. Results There was no statistically significance in the degree of enhancement and the washing-in and washing-out pattern between CCRCC and AML (P>0.05). However, significantly different was found in the homogeneity of enhancement, the presence of perilesional enhancement and the process of enhancement between CCRCC and AML (P<0.01). Heterogeneous enhancement, perilesional enhancement and diffuse enhancement were mainly seen in CCRCC, and the positive predictive value for CCRCC was 97.26%, 100% and 94.74%, respectively. When all the three CEUS findings combined were used as criterion for differentiating CCRCC from AML, the positive and negative predictive values was 100% and 95.00%, respectively. Conclusion CEUS characteristics of CCRCC is different from that of AML. CEUS is useful for the differential diagnosis of CCRCC and AML.