Implications of a Ultrasomics Signature for Predicting Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: It remains a challenge to determine the nature of thyroid nodules (TNs) with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). We aim to investigate the multiregional ultrasomics signatures obtained from B-mode ultrasound (B-US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) images for predicting malignancy in TNs of patients with HT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: B-US and CEUS images of 193 nodules (110 malignant and 83 benign nodules) from 110 patients were retrospectively collected in the single-center study, extracting ultrasomics signatures from the intratumoral (In) and peritumoral (Peri) regions of the thyroid. In-B-US, Peri-B-US, In-CEUS, and Peri-CEUS ultrasomics models and a stacking regression model were constructed, and the diagnostic performance of the models was evaluated by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULTS: The In-B-US, Peri-B-US, In-CEUS, Peri-CEUS, and stacking regression model in the training and testing datasets which attained AUC (95% CI) of 0.872(0.812, 0.932), 0.815(0.747, 0.882), 0.739(0.659, 0.819), 0.890(0.836, 0.943), 0.997(0.992, 1.000) and 0.799(0.650, 0.948), 0.851(0.727, 0.974), 0.622(0.440, 0.805), 0.742(0.573, 0.911), 0.867(0.741, 0.992); sensitivity of 82.8%, 89.7%, 71.3%, 74.7%, 96.6% and 69.6%, 78.3%, 43.5%, 78.3%, 91.3%; specificity of 80.6%, 58.2%, 67.2%, 91.0%, 98.5% and 93.8%, 87.5%, 93.3%, 75.0%, 81.2%, respectively. The stacking regression model based on ultrasomics signatures showed favorable calibration and discriminative capabilities. Compared to the stacking regression model, the difference in AUC between the In-B-US and Peri-B-US models was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, the difference in AUC between the In-CEUS and Peri-CEUS models was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of an ultrasomics approach can effectively predict the benign or malignant nature of TNs accompanied by HT. The diagnostic performance of the ultrasomics model was improved by combining the dual-region and dual-mode of thyroid.

Correlation Between Postpartum Myometrial Elasticity and Obstetric Complications in Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: To investigate postpartum myometrial elasticity in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) using shear wave elastography (SWE) and analyze the correlation between myometrial SWE values and obstetric complications. Methods: Clinical data of women who gave birth at Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from August 2022 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups based on GDM diagnosis: the GDM group and the healthy control group. SWE was used to measure the elasticity values of the anterior and posterior myometrial walls in both groups. Differences in placental attachment position and SWE values at the placental attachment site were compared between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis was utilized to evaluate the correlation between SWE values and obstetric complications. Results: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2h PG), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels were higher in the GDM group than in the healthy control group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in placental attachment position between the two groups (P<0.05). In both the GDM (17.52±0.42 vs 25.29±0.74, P=0.001) and control groups (14.06±5.01 vs 22.20±6.34, P=0.001), mean SWE values were significantly lower for anterior versus posterior placental attachment, and mean SWE values were also significantly higher in the GDM versus control group for both anterior (17.52±0.42 vs 14.06±5.01, P=0.001) and posterior placental attachment (25.29±0.74 vs 22.20±6.34, P=0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed that postpartum hemorrhage (r=0.632, P=0.017), preeclampsia (r=0.818, P=0.014), premature rupture of membranes (r=0.710, P=0.012), placental abruption (r=0.732, P=0.031), and ketoacidosis (r=0.729, P=0.022) were negatively correlated with average myometrial SWE values in the GDM group (P<0.05). Conclusion: SWE values at the placental attachment site were higher in GDM patients than in healthy pregnant women, and myometrial elasticity was positively correlated with obstetric complications.

Value of synthetic MRI quantitative parameters in preprocedural evaluation for TRUS/MRI fusion-guided biopsy of the prostate.

BACKGROUND: Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fusion-guided biopsy has a high clinical application value. However, this technique has some limitations, which limit its use in routine clinical practice. Therefore, the selection of suitable proatate lesions for this technique is worthy of our attention. Synthetic MRI (SyMRI) is capable of quantifying multiple relaxation parameters, which might have potential value in preprocedural evaluation for TRUS/MRI fusion-guided biopsy of the prostate. The aim of our study is to examine the value of SyMRI quantitative parameters in preprocedural evaluation for TRUS/MRI fusion-guided biopsy of the prostate. METHODS: We prospectively selected 148 lesions in 137 patients who underwent prostate biopsy in our hospital. Next, 2-4 needles of TRUS/MRI fusion-guided biopsy combined with 10 needles of system biopsy (SB) were used as the protocol for prostate biopsy. Before biopsy, the MAGiC sequences of the MRI images of the enrolled patients underwent post-processing, and the longitudinal relaxation time (T1), transverse relaxation time (T2), and proton density (PD) were extracted. The biopsy pathology results were used as a gold standard to compare the differences in SyMRI quantitative parameters between benign and malignant prostate lesions in the peripheral and transitional zones. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to confirm the optimal SyMRI quantitative parameter for prostate lesion benignancy/malignancy performance, and the cutoff values of these parameters were used for grouping the lesions. The single-needle biopsy prostate cancer (PCa)-positivity rates (number of positive biopsy needles/total biopsy needles) and PCa overall detection rates by TRUS/MRI fusion-guided biopsy and SB were compared in different subgroups. RESULTS: The T1 and T2 values can determine the benignancy/malignancy of prostate transition lesions(p < 0.01), and the T2 value has a greater diagnostic performance (p = 0.0376). The T2 value can determine the benignancy/malignancy of prostate peripheral lesions. The optimal diagnostic cutoff values for T2 were 77 and 81 ms, respectively. The single-needle PCa positivity rate of TRUS/MRI fusion-guided biopsy was higher than SB for any prostate lesions in different subgroups (p < 0.01). However, only in the subgroup of transition zone lesions with T2 ≤ 77 ms, the PCa overall detection rate of TRUS/MRI fusion-guided biopsy was significantly higher than that of SB (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: SyMRI-T2 value can provide a theoretical basis for the selection of suitable lesions for TRUS/MRI fusion-guided biopsy.

Comparison of thyroid nodule FNA rates recommended by ACR TI-RADS, Kwak TI-RADS and ATA guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the differences among the thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS) proposed by American College of Radiology (ACR TI-RADS), TI-RADS proposed by Kwak (Kwak TI-RADS), and American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines in the specificity, sensitivity and the unnecessary FNA rate (the UFR, the false positive rate) of recommended fine needle aspiration (FNA), and to observe the changes of the UFR in the KwakTI-RADS and ATA guidelines with the recommended FNA nodule size threshold. METHODS: The specificities, sensitivities and UFRs of recommended FNA in the ACR TI-RADS, ATA guidelines and Kwak TI-RADS were calculated and compared. The nodule sizes for recommended FNA of ATA guidelines and Kwak TI-RADS were systematically varied to establish new FNA thresholds. The specificities, sensitivities and UFRs of recommended FNA under the new models were calculated and compared to those in the ACR TI-RADS. RESULTS: For all thyroid nodules, the UFRs in the ACR TI-RADS, ATA guidelines and Kwak TI-RADS were 26.3%, 47.4% and 40.0%, respectively. The UFR in the ACR TI-RADS was lower than that in the others, and the specificity of recommended FNA in the ACR TI-RADS(73.7%) was higher than that in the others (all P < 0.001), but the sensitivity of recommended FNA in the ACR TI-RADS(89.3%) was lower than that in the others (all P < 0.001). When nodule sizes threshold of the recommended FNA for ATA guidelines Intermediate Suspicion, Low Suspicion, and Very Low Suspicion, and Kwak TI-RADS grade 4b and 4a were gradually increased, the UFRs gradually decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The UFRs of FNA recommended by the Kwak TI-RADS and ATA guidelines were higher than that of the ACR TI-RADS, and were affected by the recommended FNA nodule size threshold.

Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Adjusting the Classification of Chinese-TIRADS 4 Nodules.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the value of applying contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in adjusting the classification of category 4 nodules in the Chinese-Thyroid Imaging Report and Data System (C-TIRADS). METHODS: The data of preoperative conventional ultrasound and CEUS examinations of 125 C-TIRADS 4 nodules in 109 patients were retrospectively analyzed. We divided the thyroid nodules into two groups based on whether recommend by the guide fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Group I included C-TIRADS 4A nodules with a maximum diameter ≤15 mm and C-TIRADS 4B and 4C nodules with a maximum diameter ≤10 mm, and Group II included C-TIRADS 4A nodules with a maximum diameter >15 mm and C-TIRADS 4B and 4C nodules with a maximum diameter >10 mm. In CEUS, thyroid nodules showing suspicious malignant features such as hypoenhancement or early washout were adjusted to a level higher in the C-TIRADS classification; thyroid nodules showing possible benign features such as iso- or hyperenhancement were adjusted to a level lower; and thyroid nodules showing no enhancement were adjusted to C-TIRADS 3. Taking the pathological results as the gold standard, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the C-TIRADS classification before and after the adjustment based on CEUS were plotted, and the diagnostic efficiency was compared. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of the C-TIRADS classification for the diagnosis of thyroid nodule malignancy before the adjustment based on the CEUS results were 83.6%, 63.8%, 74.4%, 72.7%, and 77.1%, respectively, and these values were 91.0%, 82.8%, 87.2%, 85.9%, and 88.9%, respectively, after the adjustment. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.737 and 0.869, respectively, showing a significant difference (Z = 3.288, P=0.001). The diagnostic efficiency of C-TIRADS classification after the adjustment based on the CEUS results in both groups was improved compared with the result before the adjustment, and the difference in Group II was significant (Z = 2.931, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: CEUS significantly improved the diagnostic performance in the adjustment of C-TIRADS 4 nodule classification, especially for the nodules which needs FNA recommended by the C-TIRADS.

Comparison of diagnostic value of SWE, FNA and BRAF gene detection in ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic value of shear wave elastography (SWE), fine needle aspiration (FNA) and BRAF gene detection (BRAFV600E gene mutation detection) in ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 thyroid nodules. METHODS: SWE images, FNA cytological results and BRAF detection results of ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 thyroid nodules confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to determine the best cutoff value of SWE Emax. In the combined diagnosis of SWE, FNA and BRAF, firstly, the nodules with BRAF gene mutation were included in the positive ones, secondly, the nodules with benign and malignant FNA were included in the FNA + SWE or FNA + SWE + BRAF negative and positive ones respectively, finally, for FNA uncertain nodules: those whose SWE Emax were less than or equal to the cutoff value were included in FNA + SWE or FNA + SWE + BRAF negative ones, and those whose SWE Emax were greater than the cutoff value were included in positive ones. The diagnostic efficacy of SWE, FNA, SWE + FNA, FNA + BRAF and their combination in ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 thyroid nodules were compared. RESULTS: The ROC curve showed that the best cutoff value of SWE Emax was 40.9 kpa, and the area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.842 (0.800∼0.885). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SWE were 76.3% (270/354), 75.5% (80/106) and 76.1% (350/460), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNA were 58.2% (206/354), 88.7% (94/106) and 65.2(300/460), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNA + BRAF were 95.5% (338/354), 88.7% (94/106) and 93.9% (432/460), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SWE + FNA were 85.9% (304/354), 98.1% (104/106) and 88.7% (408/460), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SWE + FNA + BRAF were 98.3% (348/354), 98.1% (104/106) and 98.3% (452/460), respectively. For the diagnostic accuracy, SWE + FNA + BRAF > FNA + BRAF > FNA + SWE > SWE > FNA, the difference was statistically significant (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For ACR TI-RADS 4 and 5 thyroid nodules, SWE and FNA have high diagnostic efficiency. For the diagnostic accuracy, FNA + BRAF is better than FNA + SWE. FNA combination with BRAF gene detection further improves the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy of FNA. The combined application of the three is the best.

The Value of Chinese Thyroid Imaging Report and Data System Combined With Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Scoring in Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with the Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS) for differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the conventional ultrasound and CEUS data of 388 nodules in 355 patients who had undergone thyroid nodule resection was conducted. All nodules had clear pathological results. The CEUS observation indexes included the enhancement degree in the arterial phase (no enhancement, scant punctate-linear enhancement, mild enhancement, moderate enhancement, and high enhancement) and wash-out patterns (rapid wash-out, slow wash-out, and isochronous wash-out). Chi-square test between groups and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to determine the malignant (+1 point) and benign (-1 point) observation indexes that were statistically significant for the differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The CEUS and C-TIRADS malignant and benign indexes were combined to score and draw the ROC curve, which was compared with the ROC curve scored by C-TIRADS alone to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the two methods for differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. RESULTS: Among the CEUS observation indexes, mild enhancement and rapid wash-out were malignant indexes, while isochronous wash-out was a benign index. The best diagnostic cut-off value for the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules using the C-TIRADS score and the C-TIRADS and CEUS combined score (C-TIRADS + CEUS score) was 2. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) of the two methods were 79.97, 75.48, 82.9, 70.5%, and 89.7, 72.9, 83.3, 82.5%, respectively. The area under the curve values were 0.840 and 0.877 (P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CEUS feature of mild enhancement in the arterial phase and rapid wash-out pattern are suggestive of malignancy and isochronous wash-out pattern is suggestive of benignity. The C-TIRADS + CEUS score has a higher value for distinguishing benign from malignant thyroid nodules than the C-TIRADS score alone.

Somatic Mutation Profiling of Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas by Whole-exome Sequencing and Its Relationship with Clinical Characteristics.

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) has increased rapidly during the past several decades. Until now, the mechanisms underlying the tumorigenesis of PTCs have remained largely unknown. Next-generation-sequencing (NGS) provides new ways to investigate the molecular pathogenesis of PTCs. To characterize the somatic alterations associated with PTCs, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) of PTCs from 23 Chinese patients. This study revealed somatic mutations in genes with relevant functions for tumorigenesis, such as BRAF, BCR, CREB3L2, DNMT1, IRS2, MSH6, and TP53. We also identified novel somatic gene alterations which may be potentially involved in PTC progression. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the cellular response to hormone stimulus, epigenetic modifications, such as protein/histone methylation and protein alkylation, as well as MAPK, PI3K-AKT, and FoxO/mTOR signaling pathways, were significantly altered in the PTCs studied here. Moreover, Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis of our mutated gene selection highlighted EP300, KRAS, PTEN, and TP53 as major core genes. The correlation between gene mutations and clinicopathologic features of the PTCs defined by conventional ultrasonography (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) were assessed. These analyses established significant associations between subgroups of mutations and respectively taller-than-wide, calcified, and peak time iso- or hypo-enhanced and metastatic PTCs. In conclusion, our study supplements the genomic landscape of PTCs and identifies new actionable target candidates and clinicopathology-associated mutations. Extension of this study to larger cohorts will help define comprehensive genomic aberrations in PTCs and validate target candidates. These new targets may open methods of individualized treatments adapted to the clinicopathologic specifics of the patients.

Relationship between fatty pancreas and hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype: a cross-sectional study.

Hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype (HTWP) and its quantitative indicator, waist circumference-triglyceride index (WTI), are common quantitative indices of visceral obesity and are closely related to metabolic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fatty pancreas (FP) and HTWP in China. FP was diagnosed using trans-abdominal ultrasonography in all participants. According to the waist circumference and serum triglyceride levels, the participants were divided into four phenotype groups: normal waist circumference-normal triglyceride, normal waist circumference-elevated triglyceride, elevated waist circumference-normal triglyceride, and elevated waist circumference-elevated triglyceride (indicating HTWP). Clinical characteristics and biochemical indices were compared among the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the utility of WTI as a reference factor for FP screening. The HTWP group had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (84.2%), FP (10.4%), fatty liver (64.5%), and hypertension (15.8%) than the other three phenotype groups. The occurrence rate of HTWP and the median WTI were significantly higher in participants with FP than in those without FP (54.7% vs 21.0%, 222 ± 135 vs 142 ± 141, p < 0.001). In the ROC curve analysis, when the maximum area under the curve was 0.746, the WTI was 107.09 and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 90.6% and 51.9%, respectively. HTWP is closely associated with FP and can be used as a reference factor for FP screening.

piR-19166 inhibits migration and metastasis through CTTN/MMPs pathway in prostate carcinoma.

Tumor metastasis is one of death causes for patients of prostate carcinoma. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a subtype of noncoding protein RNAs that are involved in tumorigenesis, but the effect of piRNAs in prostate carcinoma (PCa) remains unclear. This article showed the identification of piRNAs was performed using a piRNA microarray screen in PCa tissues and several piRNAs were identified as dysregulated. The two up-regulated piRNAs (piR-19004 and piR-2878) and one down-regulated piR-19166 have been validated in the tissues and cell lines of PCa using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Further studies showed that piR-19166 is transfected into PCa cells to suppress its migration and metastasis. Mechanistically, cortactin (CTTN) 3' untranslated region (UTR) was complementary combined with piR-19166 by bioinformatic prediction and identified as a direct target of piR-19166 through dual-luciferase reporter assay. Over-expression and knockdown of CTTN could respectively rescue and simulate the effects induced by piR-19166. Finally, piR-19166 suppresses migration and metastasis by the CTTN/matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) pathway in PCa cells. Thus, these findings suggested that piR-19166 targets the CTTN of prostate cancer cells to inhibit migration and distant metastasis, and may represent a new marker of diagnosis and treatment for PCa patients in early stages.

Circ-PAX2 promotes proliferation and metastasis by absorbing miR-186 in lung cancer cells.

Circ-RNAs are a type of non-coding-protein RNAs which act as an effector role in many physiological processes. However, the novel function of circ-PAX2 in lung carcinomas is still unidentified. The current study is to detect the expression of circ-PAX2 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissues and the physiological functions of circ-PAX2. Circ-PAX2 was distinguished in LSCC samples and matched non-tumor samples by human circRNA microarray analysis and was validated to be up-regulated in 86 specimens of LSCC tissues and lung cancer cell lines by qRT-PCR. Functional validation experiments showed that knockdown of circ-PAX2 promoted apoptosis of lung carcinoma cells, and then suppressed proliferation and migration of tumor cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) to circ-PAX2 inhibited growth in lung tumor cells. Bioinformatics prediction and rescue experiments showed that circ-PAX2 was a target of microRNA-186, confirmed by qRT-PCR and double luciferase reporter assay. On the whole, our findings reveal that circ-PAX2 was up-regulated and may be an oncogene in lung cancer; its function was reducing apoptosis, promoting cell proliferation and migration in lung carcinoma cells, which might be a novel therapeutic targetgene in lung cancer.

Value of three-section contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography in the detection of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of three-section contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography (CETRUS) in prostate cancer (PCa) detection. METHODS: A total of 169 consecutive patients with either PSA level ≥ 4 ng/ml or abnormal digital rectal examination findings were prospectively enrolled in this single center study. All patients underwent baseline transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and three-section CETRUS by one investigator blinded to any clinical data before TRUS-guided transperineal biopsy. The performances of baseline TRUS, single-section, and three-section CETRUS for PCa detection were compared. RESULTS: On a per-patient basis, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy for detecting PCa with three-section CETRUS was 92.3%, 69.2%, and 78.1%, respectively. In comparison with conventional (single-section) CETRUS (sensitivity 75.4%, specificity 72.1%, and accuracy 73.4%), three-section CETRUS performed significantly better (p < 0.05, McNemar test). Additionally, the low-grade PCa detection rate for three-section CETRUS was significantly higher than that of conventional CETRUS (26.7% versus 10.2%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a significant benefit of three-section CETRUS relative to conventional CETRUS, and this technique may find more PCa patients eligible for active surveillance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:304-309, 2017.

Contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography for detection and localization of prostate index tumor: correlation with radical prostatectomy findings.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography (CETRUS) to detect and localize prostate index tumor. METHODS: Eighty-three patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer (PCa), who were scheduled to undergo radical prostatectomy, were enrolled in this prospective study. Each patient underwent baseline grayscale and CETRUS imaging of the prostate according to a standardized protocol before the operation. Ultrasonography findings (CETRUS and grayscale imaging) were correlated with step-section histopathology. RESULTS: Overall, 53 and 68 tumor foci were detected by grayscale imaging and CETRUS, respectively. The combination of grayscale imaging and CETRUS allowed identification of 89 of the 232 cancer foci (38.4%). The sensitivity of combined imaging was significantly superior to that of grayscale imaging (P<.01) and CETRUS (P<.05). Additionally, the prostate index tumor detection rate by the use of grayscale imaging, CETRUS, and their combination was 42 of 83 (50.6%), 53 of 83 (63.9%), and 67 of 83 (80.7%), respectively. The combined approach performed significantly better than grayscale and CETRUS imaging (P<.001 and P<.05, respectively). The index tumor detection rate of CETRUS was higher than that of grayscale imaging, but no significant difference was found (P>.05). CONCLUSION: Our study has demonstrated significantly improved detection of both PCa and index tumor with a combined approach of CETRUS and grayscale imaging compared with baseline grayscale technique only, and this technique may be applicable to focal therapy of PCa.

Prostate cancer detection with real-time elastography using a bi-plane transducer: comparison with step section radical prostatectomy pathology.

PURPOSE: To evaluate elastography using a bi-plane transducer for localizing prostate cancer (PCa) in patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy (RP), in comparison with step section pathological analysis. METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive PCa patients underwent real-time elastography examination with a bi-plane transducer before RP. Transverse elastographic images were obtained from the apex to the base by slightly compressing and releasing the prostate tissue using the probe. The diagnostic performance of elastography was evaluated in correlation with step section RP histopathology. RESULTS: In 56 PCa patients, gray-scale ultrasonography detected at least one lesion in 36 patients, whereas elastography detected at least one lesion in 53 patients (P = 0.001). The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of elastography in depicting tumor lesions were 67.6, 89.5 and 82.7 %, respectively. The detection rate of a PCa lesion with elastography was best in the left posterior region, followed by the right posterior region. Elastography was more sensitive in detecting PCa lesions with higher Gleason scores, diameter >5 mm and extracapsular extension. CONCLUSIONS: The additional use of elastography with the bi-plane transducer can improve PCa detection rate by providing more information about tissue stiffness within the prostate gland.

Utility of the transition zone index for identification of prostate cancer in Chinese men with intermediate PSA levels.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the utility of the transition zone index (TZI) for identification of prostate cancer (PCa) in Chinese men with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of 4-10 ng/mL. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, results of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy were assessed in 616 consecutive Chinese men; all subjects had intermediate serum PSA levels and normal digital rectal examination findings. The prostate and transition zone volumes were determined by TRUS. A TZI cutoff value of 0.47 produced the best sensitivity and specificity rates in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and thus was used to classify the study subjects into two subgroups: group 1 with TZI ≤ 0.47 and group 2 with TZI > 0.47. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict outcomes. The variables that were statistically significant in the stepwise logistic regression analysis were assessed using the ROC curve and the area under the curve. RESULTS: Overall, 166 of the 616 patients (26.9%) had histologically confirmed PCa. A total of 238 (38.6%) patients were classified into group 1, of whom 97 (40.8%) exhibited a positive biopsy; and 378 (61.4%) patients were classified into group 2, of whom 69 (18.3%) exhibited a positive biopsy. The stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that PSA density (PSAD) exhibited the strongest predictive value in the overall population and in group 1, whereas PSA transition zone density (PSATZD) was the optimal predictor in group 2. The ROC curve analysis revealed that when using the TZI-specific 100% sensitivity cutoffs, 17.7% and 25% of the biopsies were unnecessary and could be avoided in the overall patient population prior to and following the division into groups, respectively (P = 0.002). Using an individually generated 95% sensitivity cutoff of 0.12 ng/mL(2) for PSAD and a cutoff of 0.179 ng/mL(2) for PSATZD for TZI-stratified cohorts of TZI ≤ 0.47 and TZI > 0.47, a more consistent specificity of 44% and 46.9%, respectively, for each cohort was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal predictor for PCa differs between various TZI levels. The combination of PSAD in patients with TZI ≤ 0.47 and PSATZD in patients with TZI > 0.47 helps to identify potentially unnecessary biopsies compared to the use of a single PSAD for the entire patient population. The discrepancies regarding an optimal predictor in published reports are most likely due to the differing TZI levels among the cases. In this study, we demonstrated improved identification of PCa using TZI-adjusted cutoffs for PSAD and PSATZD.