Power Doppler vascularity index for predicting malignancy of adnexal masses

Hemodynamic Changes in the Masseter and Superior Orbicularis Oris Muscles before and after Exercise Load: A Comparison between Young Adult Women and Middle-Aged to Old Adult Women

Background

The vascularity index (VI) is useful for measuring the hemodynamics on ultrasound imaging. However, there are no reports concerning the application of the VI to facial muscles.

Objective

The aim of this study was (1) to establish a method of measuring the hemodynamics in facial muscles in a constant way and (2) to evaluate the hemodynamic changes in the masseter and superior orbicularis oris muscles (SOOMs) before and after exercise load in two subject groups of females of different ages.

Methods

(1) The VI in the SOOM was calculated, and the test-retest reliability was assessed in seven healthy adults. (2) The VIs in the left-side masseter and SOOM were calculated in 3 sessions: before exercise loading (T0), immediately after loading (T1), and 5 minutes after T1 (T2) for the young adult group (YAG, n = 20; age range, 20–35 years) and the middle-aged to old group (MOG, n = 20; age range, 50–70 years). Tasks were gum chewing for the masseter muscle and lip sealing for the SOOM. The differences in the mean peak flows between two sessions were examined.

Results

(1) Significant differences were not noted for the repeatedly measured average volumes of blood flow with good test-retest agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.81). (2) In both muscles of the YAG, there were a significant increase in T1 compared with T0 and a significant decrease in T2 compared with T1 (all p < 0.05). In both muscles of the MOG, no significant differences were noted in either comparison.

Conclusions

A method of measuring the hemodynamics in facial muscles was developed and showed good reliability. Changes in the blood flow after exercise load in these muscles may vary with age in women.

Diagnostic value of 3D power Doppler ultrasound in the characterization of thyroid nodules

Background/aim

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of vascular indices obtained using 3D power Doppler ultrasound (3D PDUS) in differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Materials and methods

Sixty-seven patients (56 female, 11 male, mean age 44.6) with 81 thyroid nodules exhibiting mixed (peripheral and central) vascularization patterns, with the largest diameter between 10 and 30 mm, were prospectively evaluated using 3D PDUS. Nodule volume, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated using the Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis (VOCAL) software, and these indices were then compared with regard to the cytohistopathology-based diagnosis. The optimum cutoff values for the differentiation of benign and malignant nodules were identified, and diagnostic efficacy was calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Fifty-six of the 81 nodules included in this study were diagnosed as benign and 25 as malignant. Vascular indices in malignant nodules were significantly higher than those in benign nodules (P < 0.05). In benign nodules, the mean VI was 11.61 ± 6.88, mean FI was 39.75 ± 3.93, and mean VFI was 4.82 ± 2.94, compared to 18.64 ± 12.81, 41.82 ± 4.43, and 8.17 ± 6.37, respectively, in malignant nodules. The area under the curves (AUCs) was calculated as 0.68, 0.61, and 0.67 for VI, FI, and VFI, respectively. At optimal cutoff values of 10.2 for VI, 40.8 for FI, and 5.5 for VFI, the sensitivity and specificity were 72%/55.4%, 68%/57.1%, and 68%/67.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

3D PDUS can be useful in the characterization of thyroid nodules.

High-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of placenta accreta after vaginal delivery: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficiency of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of placenta accreta after vaginal delivery.

METHODS

Enrolled into this study between September 2011 and September 2013 were 12 patients who had been diagnosed with placenta accreta following vaginal delivery and who had stable vital signs. All patients were treated using an ultrasound-guided HIFU treatment system. As indication of the effectiveness of the treatment we considered decreased vascular index on color Doppler imaging, decrease in size of residual placenta compared with pretreatment size on assessment by three-dimensional ultrasound with Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis, reduced signal intensity and degree of enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging and avoidance of hysterectomy following treatment. To assess the safety of HIFU treatment, we recorded side effects, hemorrhage, infection, sex steroid levels, return of menses and subsequent pregnancy. Patients were followed up in this preliminary study until December 2013.

RESULTS

The 12 patients receiving HIFU treatment had an average postpartum hospital stay of 6.8 days and an average period of residual placental involution of 36.9 days. HIFU treatment did not apparently increase the risk of infection or hemorrhage and no patient required hysterectomy. In all patients menstruation recommenced after an average of 80.2 days, and sex steroid levels during the middle luteal phase of the second menstrual cycle were normal. Two patients became pregnant again during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study suggests that ultrasound-guided HIFU is a safe and effective non-invasive method to treat placenta accreta patients after vaginal delivery who have stable vital signs and desire to preserve fertility. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

True Reproducibility of UltraSound Techniques (TRUST): systematic review of reliability studies in obstetrics and gynecology

OBJECTIVES

To examine the quality of methods used and the accuracy of the interpretation of agreement in existing studies that examine the reliability of ultrasound measurements and judgments in obstetrics and gynecology.

METHODS

A systematic search of MEDLINE was performed on 25 March 2014, looking for studies that examined the reliability of ultrasound measurements and judgments in obstetrics and gynecology with evaluation of concordance (CCC) or intraclass (ICC) correlation coefficients or kappa as a main objective.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and thirty-three records were examined on the basis of their title and abstract, of which 141 full-text articles were examined completely for eligibility. We excluded 29 studies because they did not report CCC/ICC/kappa, leaving 112 studies that were included in our analysis. Two studies reported both ICC and kappa and were counted twice, therefore, the number used as the denominator in the analyses was 114. Only 16/114 (14.0%) studies were considered to be well designed (independent acquisition and blinded analysis) and to have interpreted the results properly. Most errors occurring in the studies are likely to overestimate the reliability of the method examined.

CONCLUSIONS

The vast majority of published studies examined had important flaws in design, interpretation and/or reporting. Such limitations are important to identify as they might create false confidence in the existing measurements and judgments, jeopardizing clinical practice and future research. Specific guidelines aimed at improving the quality of reproducibility studies that examine ultrasound methods should be encouraged.

[Sonographic diagnosis of presumed benign ovarian tumors]

To discriminate ovarian lesions is of particular importance in gynecological practice. Two main problems need answers: discrimination of benign and malignant adnexal masses and choice of the appropriate surgical treatment if necessary. Nearly 2% of the adnexal masses are ovarian carcinomas or borderline tumors. It is now, well established that ultrasonography is the gold standard for ovarian cyst diagnosis. The purpose of this data was to review the literature and to establish, with the evidence base medicine model, which parameters and existing diagnostic models using ultrasound and Doppler perform best in the evaluation of adnexal masses. Transvaginal sonography has demonstrated considerable advantage over conventional transabdominal sonography. However, transparietal sonography is still useful in large tumors. Definition of the nomenclature and classification was done and should be used. Unilocular ovarian cyst characterization seems easy using sonography and Doppler. In front of complication, discrimination of such functional cyst may be difficult but spontaneous regression confirms usually the expectative management. Dermoid cysts and endometriomas seem to be easier to discriminate from other adnexal masses. Ultrasound and morphologic parameters have a sensitivity of about 90% and a specificity of 80%; that makes this exam the gold standard for ovarian masses diagnosis. Only 50% of ovarian masses are characterized by sonography. Scoring systems help to differentiate benign from malignant masses (sensitivity of about 90%). Logistic regression and models are good methods especially for LR1 and 2 and RMI and may be useful for malignancy prediction but are difficult to use in current practice. Expert diagnosis is a subjective but most important performing parameter. Any suspicious ovarian mass or not easily diagnosed mass requires sonography by an expert, which can first use all the techniques and the different parameters to discriminate benign and malignant tumors. An explicit report will help the physician to define the right attitude for an appropriate management. Six to 16% of adnexial masses are complex or not classified and will result in MRI prescription or surgery.

Current diagnostic approach to patients with adnexal masses: which tools are relevant in routine praxis?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate which anamnestic, laboratory and ultrasound parameters used in routine practice could predict the nature of adnexal mass, thus enabling referral to relevant specialist.

METHODS

Study involved the women treated for adnexal tumors throughout a period of 2 years. On admission, detailed anamnestic and laboratory data were obtained, expert ultrasound scan was performed, and power Doppler index (PDI), risk of malignancy index (RMI) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated for all patients. Obtained data were related to histopathological findings, and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The study included 689 women (112 malignant, 544 benignant, and 33 borderline tumors). Malignant and borderline tumors were more frequent in postmenopausal women (P=0.000). Women who had benignant tumors had the lowest BMI (P=0.000). There were significant (P<0.05) differences among tumor types regarding erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CA125 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Among ultrasound findings, larger tumor diameter and ascites were more frequent in malignant tumors (P=0.000). Women with malignant tumors had highest values of RMI and PDI (P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Anamnestic data, ultrasound parameters and laboratory analyses were all found to be good discriminating factors among malignant, benignant and borderline tumors.

Prediction of endometrial malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding and sonographic endometrial thickness ≥ 4.5 mm

OBJECTIVE

To build mathematical models for evaluating the individual risk of endometrial malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding and sonographic endometrial thickness ≥ 4.5 mm using clinical data, sonographic endometrial thickness and power Doppler ultrasound findings.

METHODS

Of 729 consecutive patients with postmenopausal bleeding, 261 with sonographic endometrial thickness ≥ 4.5 mm and no fluid in the uterine cavity were included. They underwent transvaginal two-dimensional gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasound examination of the endometrium. The ultrasound image showing the most vascularized section through the endometrium as assessed by power Doppler was frozen, the endometrium was outlined and the percentage vascularized area (vascularity index) was calculated using computer software. The ultrasound examiner also estimated the color content of the endometrial scan on a visual analog scale (VAS) graded from 0 to 100 (VAS score). A structured history was taken to collect clinical information. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to create mathematical models to predict endometrial malignancy.

RESULTS

There were 63 (24%) malignant and 198 (76%) benign endometria. Women with a malignant endometrium were older (median age 74 vs. 65 years; P = 0.0005) and fewer used hormone replacement therapy and warfarin. Women with a malignant endometrium had a thicker endometrium (median thickness 20.8 vs. 10.2 mm; P = 0.0005) and higher values for vascularity index and VAS score. When using only clinical data to build a model for estimating the risk of endometrial malignancy, a model including the variables age, use of warfarin and use of hormone replacement therapy had the largest area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC), with a value of 0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.67-0.81). A model including age, use of warfarin and endometrial thickness had an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.76-0.87), and one including age, use of hormone replacement therapy, endometrial thickness and vascularity index had an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.87-0.95). Using a risk cut-off of 11%, the latter model had sensitivity 90%, specificity 71%, positive likelihood ratio 3.14 and negative likelihood ratio 0.13.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic performance of models predicting endometrial cancer increases substantially when sonographic endometrial thickness and power Doppler information are added to clinical variables. The models are likely to be clinically useful but need to be prospectively validated.

[French recommendations for ovarian cancer management during pregnancy]

Evaluation of the fetus using prenatal ultrasound has resulted in increased detection of asymptomatic adnexal masses during pregnancy. Such masses are rarely malignant (1/10 000 to 1/50 000 pregnancies), but the possibility of borderline or cancer must be considered. It is a common assumption by both patients and physicians that if an ovarian cancer is diagnosed during pregnancy, treatment necessitates sacrificing the well-being of the fetus. However, in most cases, it is possible to offer appropriate treatment to the mother without placing the fetus at serious risk. The care of a pregnant woman with cancer involves evaluation of sometimes competing maternal and fetal risks and benefits. These recommendation approaches attempt to balance these risks and benefits; however, they should be considered advisory and should not replace specific interdisciplinary consultation with specialists in maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, and pediatrics, as well as imaging and pathology, as needed. Second level ultrasound including Doppler is needed. MRI is not often necessary, and CA 125 is of low contribution. We suggest surgery be performed after 15 SA for ovarian masses which (1) persist into the second trimester, (2) are greater than 5 to 10 cm in diameter, or (3) have solid or mixed solid and cystic ultrasound characteristics. During antepartum surgical staging and debulking, homolateral salpingo-oophorectomy and peritoneal cytology and exploration are necessary. Women found to have advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer should consider having completion of the debulking of the reproductive organs at the conclusion of the pregnancy. If chemotherapy is indicated, we recommend delaying administration, if possible, after the delivery or at least after 20 SA in order to minimize the potential fetal toxicity.

Spherical tissue sampling in 3-dimensional power Doppler angiography: a new approach for evaluation of ovarian tumors

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of virtual spherical tissue sampling using 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound power Doppler angiography to enhance differentiation between normal and pathologic ovaries.

METHODS

Twenty-seven cases with ovarian tumors were analyzed: 14 with invasive cancers and 13 with borderline tumors confirmed by surgery. The control subjects consisted of 53 healthy ovulating women. Ultrasound scans were done, and 3D volumes were analyzed with 3-/4-dimensional software for personal computers based on 3D vascularity indices: the vascularization index, flow index, and vascularization-flow index. A virtual spherical tissue sample of 1 cm3 was taken from the place of the highest vessel density contained completely within the contours of the ovary. Calculations for the whole solid volume were done for comparison.

RESULTS

Vascularity indices for both 1-cm3 spherical samples and whole dense parts of the ovaries were compared in the following groups: (1) ovarian tumors versus controls, (2) normal ovaries in the proliferative versus secretory phase, (3) invasive cancers versus borderline tumors, (4) invasive cancers versus normal ovaries, and (5) borderline tumors versus normal ovaries. Spherical 1-cm3 sampling achieved a higher degree of discrimination between the groups compared with the whole solid-part approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Spherical 1-cm3 sampling of ovarian tissue with 3D ultrasound power Doppler angiography is a sensitive and promising approach to differentiate between ovarian tumors and normal ovaries. It opens the possibility to implement objective computerized positioning, standardized comparison, and analysis of ovarian tumors.

Intra-tumor flow index can predict the malignant potential of breast tumor: dependent on age and volume

The aim of this study was to assess tumor vascularity through three dimensional (3D) power Doppler breast ultrasound (US) and propose a decision model for the classification of benign and malignant breast tumors. Patient recruitment for this study was performed consecutively during a 13-mo period (January 2003 to February 2004). A total of 102 benign and 93 malignant solid breast images were analyzed. Three-dimensional power Doppler US imaging was performed using a Voluson730 ultrasound system equipped with a relative stopping power index (RSP) 6 to 12 transducer. The Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis (VOCAL)-imaging program (version 2.1) was used to analyze the stored volume. Histogram indices of the vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization-flow index (VFI) for the intra-tumor and for shells with a thickness of 3 mm surrounding the breast lesion were calculated and showed that for both, malignancy had a higher VI, FI and VFI than benignancy, with statistical significance. Multivariate and stepwise logistic regression revealed the model (including patient age, volume and intra-tumor FI in 3D power Doppler vascularity) to be the best choice for malignant breast tumor characterization. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) index for the performance of the model was 0.926. Histogram indices for the intra-tumor FI in the 3D power Doppler scan are a good choice of parameter for differentiating between malignant and benign tumors with respect to the power of sensitivity, no matter whether one index is suggested or the patients' age and volume are considered.

Contribution of morphological assessment of the vessel tree by three-dimensional ultrasound to a correct diagnosis of malignancy in ovarian masses

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether subjective evaluation of the morphology of the vessel tree of ovarian tumors, as depicted by three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound, can discriminate between benign and malignant ovarian tumors, and whether it improves characterization compared with using gray-scale ultrasound imaging alone.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 104 women scheduled for surgical removal of an ovarian mass were examined with transvaginal two-dimensional (2D) gray-scale and 3D power Doppler ultrasound. Predetermined vessel characteristics, e.g. density of vessels, branching, caliber changes and tortuosity, were evaluated in 360 degrees rotating 3D images of the vessel tree of the tumor. Ultrasound results were compared with those of the histology of the surgical specimens. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used.

RESULTS

There were 77 benign tumors, six borderline tumors and 21 invasive malignancies. All vascular features differed significantly between benign and malignant tumors. The areas under their receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves (AUCs) were in the range 0.61-0.83. The AUC of a logistic regression model containing three gray-scale ultrasound variables was 0.98. This model correctly classified all malignancies, with a false-positive rate of 10% (8/77). Adding branching of vessels in the whole tumor to the gray-scale model yielded an AUC of 0.99 and resulted in all malignancies and an additional four benign tumors being correctly classified.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjective evaluation of the morphology of the vessel tree, as depicted by 3D power Doppler ultrasound, can be used to discriminate between benign and malignant ovarian tumors, but adds little to gray-scale ultrasound imaging in an ordinary population of tumors.

The role of CnTI-SonoVue in the diagnosis of ovarian masses with papillary projections: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVES

To describe sonographically the distribution patterns of a second-generation contrast agent in the microcirculation of unilocular and multilocular ovarian masses with papillary projections, and to investigate whether qualitative evaluation of the passage of the contrast agent can improve the performance of sonography in distinguishing between benign and malignant masses with papillary projections.

METHODS

Thirty-three patients with unilocular or multilocular ovarian masses with papillary projections were enrolled into the study in three clinical centers. The contrast-enhanced transvaginal examination was performed using 'Contrast Tuned Imaging' (CnTI) technology and SonoVue ultrasound contrast agent.

RESULTS

Twenty-four (73%) lesions were benign, eight (24%) were borderline ovarian tumors, and one patient presented with an endometrioid ovarian adenocarcinoma. On color and power Doppler examinations the presence of vessels was demonstrated in 17 papillary projections, while on CnTI-SonoVue examination, the presence of vessels was shown in these 17 and in six additional cases. In all cases with absent papillary perfusion after SonoVue intravenous injection, the cyst wall appeared unequivocally regular. The sensitivity and specificity of conventional color Doppler examination with regard to malignancy were 100% and 67% and the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.03 and 0.16, respectively. For the contrast-enhanced examination the corresponding values were 100%, 42%, 1.7 and 0.26. The difference in specificity was statistically significant (P<0.05) because 14 cases, in which papillary perfusion was detected after SonoVue injection, proved to be benign on pathological examination.

CONCLUSION

Qualitative evaluation of blood circulation in papillary projections using CnTI-SonoVue examination does not improve the discrimination of benign from borderline/malignant ovarian masses with papillary projections.

Ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma

Our objective was to compare US, CT, and MR imaging in differentiation of malignant from benign ovarian tumors. Through an electronic literature search and manual review of bibliographies (January 1990 to June 2006), relevant studies on the diagnostic performance of US, CT, and MR imaging in the differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian tumours were identified. Sixty-nine articles were included, yielding 143 studies. Data on the accuracy of the different imaging modalities were analyzed and compared by constructing summary receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Our results suggest that US techniques seems to be similar with CT and MRI in differentiation of malignant from benign ovarian tumors. The results also revealed that color Doppler flow imaging alone is significantly inferior to combined US techniques, morphologic assessment alone and contrast enhanced US in diagnosis of ovarian cancer. In conclusion, US morphologic assessment still is the most important and common modality in detect ovarian cancer.

Sonographic quantification of ovarian tumor vascularity

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of quantitated color Doppler sonography in differentiating benign from malignant ovarian tumors, with the use of tumor histologic examination as a reference standard.

METHODS

The vascularity of 38 ovarian masses (30 benign and 8 malignant) as quantitatively depicted with color Doppler sonography was analyzed with a readily available software program (ImageJ; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). The following quantitative sonographic criteria for tumor vascularity were analyzed: the vascularity index (VI) quantified the difference between the total number of pixels and the number of pixels containing no color/totalx100, whereas the power-weighted pixel density (PWPD) weighted the strength of the signal/total. The accuracy of sonographic criteria for malignant ovarian tumors was evaluated with univariate analysis. Results of tumor histologic examination were used as proof of the final diagnosis.

RESULTS

The mean values of VI and PWPD were significantly different in benign versus malignant ovarian lesions (VI, 1.3+/-1.6 versus 4.7+/-3.9; P<.01; PWPD, 2338+/-3305 versus 9403+/-9946; P<.05). With a VI of greater than 2.3, sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 90% were obtained. When combined with a PWPD of greater than 4555, sensitivity improved to 88%, and specificity improved to 93%. Morphologic analysis had sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 76% for malignancies.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitated color Doppler sonography was found to be helpful for distinguishing benign from malignant ovarian masses. However, the wide range in values makes it most useful as an adjunct to morphologic assessment. It is anticipated that quantitated color Doppler sonography could result in a slight improvement in detection of ovarian malignancies.