Three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasonography for locally advanced cervical cancer

Preoperative multimodal ultrasonic imaging in a case of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome complicated by atypical lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), an autosomal dominant multiple cancerous disorder, is clinically characterized by mucocutaneous macules and multiple gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps. Gastric-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (G-EAC), a special subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma with non-specific symptoms and signs, is known to occur in approximately 11% of female patients with PJS.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here, we report a case of PJS in a 24-year-old female with multiple mucocutaneous black macules who complained of vaginal discharge and menorrhagia. Moreover, we first described the multimodal ultrasonographical manifestations of PJS-correlated G-EAC. The three-dimensional reconstructed view of G-EAC on 3D realisticVue exhibited a distinctive "cosmos pattern" resembling features on magnetic resonance imaging, and the contrast-enhanced ultrasound displayed a "quick-up and slow-down" pattern of the solid components inside the mixed cervical echoes. We reported the multimodal ultrasonographical characteristics of a case of PJS-related G-EAC, as well as reviewed PJS-related literature and medical imaging features and clinical characteristics of G-EAC to provide insight into the feasibility and potential of utilizing multimodal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of G-EAC.

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodal ultrasound can visualize morphological features, solid components inside, and blood supplies of the G-EAC lesion and distinguish the G-EAC lesion from normal adjacent tissues. This facilitates preoperative diagnosis and staging of PJS-related G-EAC, thereby aiding subsequent health and reproductive management for patients with PJS.

Quality Requirements for gynecological ultrasound examinations of DEGUM level II - Recommendations of the Sections/Working Groups Gynecology and Obstetrics of DEGUM, ÖGUM and SGUM

Gynecological sonography is the central and most frequently used technical examination method used by gynecologists. Its focus is on the clarification of masses of the uterus and the adnexa, fertility diagnosis, clarification of bleeding disorders and chronic and acute pelvic problems, pelvic floor and incontinence diagnosis as well as the differential diagnosis of disturbed early pregnancy. The indication for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, preoperative planning and postoperative controls are largely based on the findings of gynecological sonography. These examinations are particularly dependent on the experience of the examiner.Based on the proven multi-stage concept of obstetric diagnostics, gynecological sonography should primarily be performed by an experienced and specialized examiner in patients for whom the initial gynecological examinations have not yet led to a sufficient assessment of the findings. So that the expert status required for this has an objective basis, the Gynecology and Obstetrics Section of DEGUM in cooperation with ÖGUM and SGUM implemented the option of acquiring DEGUM Level II for gynecological sonography. The effectiveness of the care in the multi-level concept depends on the quality of the ultrasound examination at level I. Quality requirements for the basic examination and the differentiation between the basic and further examination have therefore already been defined by DEGUM/ÖGUM. The present work is intended to set out quality requirements for gynecological sonography of DEGUM level II and for the correspondingly certified gynecologists.Common pathologies from gynecological sonography and requirements for imaging and documentation are described.

Comparison of conventional, doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in differential diagnosis of ovarian masses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the value of conventional, Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) (conventional ultrasonography (US), Doppler US and CEUS) for diagnosing ovarian cancer.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were conducted for studies published until October 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies assessed the diagnostic value of conventional US, Doppler US or CEUS for detecting ovarian cancer, with no restrictions placed on published language and status.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

The study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent authors. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR and NLR), diagnostic OR (DOR) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were pooled using the bivariate generalised linear mixed model and random effects model.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 72 studies and involved 9296 women who presented with ovarian masses. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR and AUC for conventional US were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87 to 0.94) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.91), 6.87 (95% CI: 4.98 to 9.49) and 0.10 (95% CI: 0.07 to 0.15), 57.52 (95% CI: 36.64 to 90.28) and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93 to 0.97), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR and AUC for Doppler US were 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91 to 0.95) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.80 to 0.89), 6.10 (95% CI: 4.59 to 8.11) and 0.08 (95% CI: 0.06 to 0.11), 61.76 (95% CI: 39.99 to 95.37) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94 to 0.97), respectively. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR and AUC for CEUS were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.92 to 0.99) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.85 to 0.95), 11.47 (95% CI: 6.52 to 20.17) and 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.09), 152.11 (95% CI: 77.77 to 297.51) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97 to 0.99), respectively. Moreover, the AUC values for conventional US (p=0.002) and Doppler US (p=0.005) were inferior to those of CEUS.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional US, Doppler US and CEUS have a relatively high differential diagnostic value for differentiating between benign and malignant ovarian masses. The diagnostic performance of CEUS was superior to that of conventional US and Doppler US.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Staging and Follow-up of Primary Vaginal Cancer

Primary vaginal cancer is rare, comprising 1% to 2% of gynecologic malignancies and 20% of all malignancies involving the vagina. More frequently, the vagina is involved secondarily by direct invasion from malignancies originating in adjacent organs or by metastases from other pelvic or extrapelvic primary malignancies. Data on the use of imaging in vaginal cancer are sparse. Insights are derived from the study of imaging in cervical cancer and have reasonable generalizability to vaginal cancer due to similar tumor biology. Given the trend toward definitive chemoradiation for both cancers in all but early stage lesions, principles of postchemoradiation tumor response evaluation are largely analogous. Accordingly, many of the recommendations outlined here are informed by principles translated from the literature on cervical cancer. For pretreatment assessment of local tumor burden and in the case of recurrent vaginal cancer, MRI is the preferred imaging modality. PET/CT has demonstrated utility for the detection of nodal metastatic and unexpected distant metastatic disease. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis in rare primary cervical cancer

Introduction

Although ultrasonography has been reported to have similar diagnostic accuracy to magnetic resonance imaging, it is not a standard imaging modality for cervical cancer. We aimed to summarize the ultrasonographic features of rare primary cervical cancer.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of patients with cervical cancer who were diagnosed between June 2014 and October 2019. They were divided into common-type cervical cancer (ie, cervical squamous cell carcinoma) and rare-type cervical cancer groups including adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma. All patients were staged according to the tumor, nodes, and metastases criteria.

Results

Of the 64 patients, the diagnosis was suspected on ultrasonography in 61 (95.3%) patients and missed on ultrasonography in three patients. The tumor size was smaller in the rare-type cervical cancer group (p<0.05). Hypoechoic lesions in common-type cervical cancer and isoechoic lesions accounted for 74.4% (32/43) and 61.9% (13/21) of patients in the rare-type cervical cancer group, respectively (p<0.001). Meanwhile, 67.4% (29/43) of tumors in common-type cervical cancer were exophytic, while 66.7% (14/21) in rare-type cervical cancer were endophytic (p=0.01). Color Doppler blood signals, as compared with normal cervical tissue, were found in all patients. There was good consistency between ultrasonographic and pathologic diagnosis of rare-type cervical cancer (weighted kappa=0.87).

Conclusions

Most patients with rare-type cervical cancer present with isoechoic lesions. The coincidence rate between ultrasonographic and pathologic diagnosis of rare-type cervical cancer is 87%.

Tumor Volume Predicts High-Risk Patients and Guides Initial Chemoradiotherapy for Early Cervical Cancer

We evaluated the relationship between the minimum tumor-free margin, tumor volume, and adverse pathological risk factors in early cervical cancer and explored the predictive value of these parameters for different types of risk patients to guide individualized therapeutic strategies. Patients who received the initial treatment of radical operation of cervical cancer and their postoperative pathological reports in our hospital from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2019, were reviewed. Their minimum tumor-free margin and tumor volume were measured on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Student's t-test and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used for data analysis. A total of 240 patients were included. Adverse pathological risk factors were as follows: deep cervical infiltration, 95 (39.6%) cases; lymph vascular space invasion, 91 (37.9%); lymph node metastasis, 20 (8.3%); parametrial infiltration, 8 (3.3%); tumor diameter ≥4 cm, 7 (2.9%); and positive surgical margin, 1 (0.4%). According to the adverse pathological factors, there were 20 (8.3%) high-risk patients, 50 (20.8%) medium-risk patients, and 170 (70.8%) low-risk patients. The ranges of the minimum tumor-free margin and tumor volume were 0.01-13.5 mm and 105-27,990 mm³, respectively. The minimum tumor-free margin with lymph node metastasis was significantly smaller than that without (P <0.05). The tumor volume with parametrial infiltration, deep cervical infiltration, or lymph vascular space invasion was significantly greater than that without (P < 0.05). The tumor volume was significantly different among low-, medium-, and high-risk patients (P <0.05). Tumor volume was of predictive value for high-risk patients (P < 0.05). With 3,505 mm³ as the cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of high-risk patients were 88.9% and 84.8%, respectively. Tumor volume can be used as a great predictor of high-risk patients (cutoff value, 3,505 mm³), which could be an indication of initial chemoradiotherapy for early cervical cancer.

Updated applications of Ultrasound in Uterine Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a common gynecologic malignancy worldwide. It is the fourth for both incidence and mortality. For cervical cancer, imaging and pathology assessments are incorporated in the revised 2018 Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system. Uses of imaging techniques for the pre-treatment work-up of cervical cancer have been increasing. Among imaging techniques for the evaluation of cervical cancer, ultrasound is cheaper, faster and widely available than other imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Advanced technique in ultrasound, such as three-dimension (3D) ultrasound and color Doppler, have improved the clinical application of ultrasound in cervical cancer. Ultrasound may provide highly accurate information on detecting tumor presence and evaluating local tumor extent if performed by ultrasound-trained gynecologists; the experience of readers is also critical for correct pretreatment staging and assessment of response to treatment. Sonographic images could be useful to predict response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with cervical cancer. This review article attempted to present the most updated specific applications of ultrasound in cervical cancer.

Integrated pre-surgical diagnostic algorithm to define extent of disease in cervical cancer

OBJECTIVES

Survival of patients with cervical cancer is strongly associated with the local extent of the primary disease. The aim of the study was to develop an integrated diagnostic algorithm, including ultrasonography (USG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and examination under anesthesia, to define the local extent of disease in patients with newly diagnosed cervical cancer.

METHODS

Patients with biopsy proven cervical cancer who underwent primary surgery from January 2013 to December 2018 in four participating centers were recruited. Patients who underwent USG, MRI, and examination under anesthesia prior to surgery were included in the study. Those for whom complete data were not available were excluded. Data regarding tumor size, parametrial invasion, and vaginal involvement obtained by USG, MRI, and examination under anesthesia were retrieved and compared with final histology. Specificity and sensitivity of the three methods were calculated for each parameter and the methods were compared with each other. An integrated pre-surgical algorithm was constructed considering the accuracy of each diagnostic method for each parameter.

RESULTS

A total of 79 consecutive patients were included in the study. Median age was 53 years (range 28-87) and median body mass index was 24.6 kg/m² (range 16-43). Fifty-five (69.6%) patients had squamous carcinoma, 18 (22.8%) patients had adenocarcinoma, and six (7.6%) patients had other histological subtypes. A statistically significant difference among the three methods was found for detecting tumor size (p=0.002 for tumors >2 cm and p=0.006 for tumors >4 cm) and vaginal involvement (p=0.01). There was no difference in detection of parametrial invasion between USG, MRI, and examination under anesthesia (p=0.26). Furthermore, regarding tumor size assessment, USG was found to be the significantly better method (p<0.01 for tumors >2 cm and p=0.02 for tumors >4 cm). Examination under anesthesia was the most accurate method for detection of vaginal involvement (p=0.01). Examination under anesthesia and MRI had higher accuracy than USG for identification of parametrial invasion. Application of the algorithm provided the correct definition of local extent of disease in 77.2% of patients (p=0.04). USG was the most accurate method to determine tumor size, while examination under anesthesia was found to be more accurate in prediction of vaginal involvement.

CONCLUSION

Our integrated diagnostic algorithm allows a higher accuracy in defining the local extent of disease and may be used as a tool to determine the therapeutic approach in women with cervical cancer.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography vs MRI for evaluation of local invasion by cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study is to compare contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to MRI for evaluating local invasion of cervical cancer.

METHODS:

A total of 108 patients with cervical cancer were included in this study. All the enrolled patients were Stage IIA2-IVB according to the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology and treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy. Tumour size in different dimensions was compared between MRI and CEUS. The correlation coefficients (r) between MRI and CEUS for diagnosing local invasion, parametrial extension, and invasion to vagina, uterine corpus and adjacent organs were assessed.

RESULTS:

Measurements by MRI and CEUS were strongly correlated in the three dimensions: left-right r = 0.84, craniocaudal r = 0.86 and anteroposterior r = 0.88. Vaginal and parametrial invasion were detected by both MRI and CEUS with moderate concordance, and invasion of uterine corpus, bladder and rectum with good concordance.

CONCLUSION:

CEUS is comparable to MRI for measuring tumour size, with good concordance for evaluating invasion of cervical cancer.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:

CEUS is a less expensive non-invasive modality for assessment of tumour size and invasion of cervical cancer.

Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Sonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Local Staging of Cervical Cancer: An Agreement Study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the agreement of clinical examination, 2-dimensional (2D) sonography, and 3-dimensional (3D) sonography with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for local staging of cervical cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study including women with a diagnosis of carcinoma of the cervix. All women were staged clinically and underwent 2D and 3D transvaginal sonography and MRI before treatment for assessing tumor size and parametrial, bladder, and rectal involvement using the examiner's subjective impression. Agreement between sonography and MRI was assessed by calculating the κ index and percentage of agreement.

RESULTS

Forty women were included (mean age ± SD, 46.6 ± 11.4 years). Eleven had early-stage (IA and IB1) disease, and 29 had advanced-stage (IB2-IVB) disease. A significant correlation for tumor size estimation was found between MRI and pelvic examination (r = 0.754; P < .001), MRI and 2D sonography (r = 0.649; P < .001), and MRI and 3D sonography (r = 0.657; P< .001). Agreement for parametrial infiltration between MRI and pelvic examination was fair (κ = 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10-0.54; 62.5% agreement), between MRI and 2D sonography was moderate (κ = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.15-0.66; 70.0% agreement), and between MRI and 3D sonography was good (κ = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.35-0.85; 80.0% agreement). Agreement for bladder involvement between MRI and pelvic examination was moderate (κ = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.10-0.99; 95.0% agreement), between MRI and 2D sonography was moderate (κ = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.10-0.99; 95.0% agreement), and between MRI and 3D sonography was very good (κ = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.55-1.0; 97.5% agreement). Agreement for rectal involvement was not calculated because of the very small number of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional sonography showed good agreement with MRI for assessing parametrial infiltration and bladder involvement in cervical cancer.

Comparison of two- and three-dimensional sonography for the prediction of the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid carcinomas

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic validity of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) when predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer.

METHODS

All 2D data were interpreted in real time and 3D data were stored, rendered using tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), and then reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Extrathyroidal extension was present in 17 papillary thyroid cancers(24.3%) on pathology reports. The presence of contact was significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on both 2D and 3D US (p = 0.007 and p = 0.003), and the sensitivity and specificity were not significantly different between 2D and 3D US (p = 1.000 and p = 0.754). The coexistence of protrusion and contact was not significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on either 2D or 3D sonogram.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional images rendered with TUI algorithms alone do not seem to be markedly superior to real-time 2D US in predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer.

The current status of three-dimensional ultrasonography in gynaecology

Ultrasonography (US) is the most recent cross-sectional imaging modality to acquire three-dimensional (3D) capabilities. The reconstruction of volumetric US data for multiplanar display took a significantly longer time to develop in comparison with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The current equipment for 3D-US is capable of producing high-resolution images in three different planes, including real-time surface-rendered images. The use of 3D-US in gynaecology was accelerated through the development of the endovaginal volume transducer, which allows the automated acquisition of volumetric US data. Although initially considered an adjunct to two-dimensional US, 3D-US is now the imaging modality of choice for the assessment of Müllerian duct anomalies and the location of intrauterine devices.

Three-dimensional transvaginal tomographic ultrasound imaging for cervical cancer staging

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using 3-D transvaginal tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) to stage patients with cervical carcinoma. Eighty women with cervical cancer who underwent transvaginal TUI examinations were enrolled. In all patients, cancer was confirmed pre-operatively by pathologic examination. Staging on the basis of clinical features, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging was performed according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system. Clinical, TUI and magnetic resonance imaging staging was compared with that based on histology. Depth of invasion into the stroma was measured by TUI in 52 cases and compared with pathologic results. An interclass correlation coefficient was used to analyze reproducibility. In total, all 80 patients underwent surgical treatment. The accuracy of pre-operative staging, compared with histologic findings, was 92.50% for TUI, 82.50% for magnetic resonance imaging and 78.75% for clinical examination. The mean depth of lesions as measured with TUI was 12.5 ± 6.2 mm (range: 3.5-40.0 mm), and that measured on histology was 10.5 ± 8.0 mm (range: 3.0-40.0 mm). The interclass correlation coefficient of the two methods was 0.933 (95% confidence interval: 0.887-0.961). Pre-operative TUI is promising as a method for pre-operative staging of cervical carcinomas. TUI can also reliably assess lesion depth.

Doppler Ultrasound Flow Evaluation of the Uterine Arteries Significantly Correlates with Tumor Size in Cervical Cancer Patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this present study was to evaluate the sonographic correlation between Doppler flow characteristics of the uterine arteries and tumor size in patients with cervical cancer, in order to establish a new potential marker to monitor treatment response.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 25 patients who underwent a sonographic evaluation of Doppler flow characteristics of the uterine arteries before surgery or radiochemotherapy for early and locally advanced/advanced cervical cancer, respectively, was analyzed. The primary outcome was the correlation between Doppler flow characteristics of the uterine arteries and tumor size in patients with cervical cancer.

RESULTS

Median age was 49 (range 26-85) years, and mean tumor size was 40.8 ± 17 mm. A significant positive correlation was found between tumor diameter and the uterine artery end-diastolic velocity (r = 0.47, p < 0.05) as well as the peak systolic velocity (r = 0.41, p < 0.05). No correlation was found between tumor size and the pulsatility index or resistance index.

CONCLUSIONS

In cervical cancer, uterine artery velocity parameters are associated with tumor size. This finding could become particularly useful in the follow-up of locally advanced cervical cancer patients undergoing radiochemotherapy or in corroborating the selection of women with more possibility of a high response rate during neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery.

The role of ultrasound in the assessment of uterine cervical cancer

Uterine cervical cancer is the second most frequent gynecological malignancy worldwide. The assessment of the extent of disease is essential for planning optimal treatment. Imaging techniques are increasingly used in the pre-treatment work-up of cervical cancer. Currently, MRI for local extent of disease evaluation and PET-scan for distant disease assessment are considered as first-line techniques. Notwithstanding, in the last few years, ultrasound has gained attention as an imaging technique for evaluating women with cervical cancer. In this paper, current knowledge about the use of ultrasound for assessing uterine cervical cancer will be reviewed and discussed.

Potential role of ultrasound imaging in interstitial image based cervical cancer brachytherapy

In 2012, more than 500,000 cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed worldwide. Over three quarters of these cases occur in less developed countries [1]. Advancements in image-guided brachytherapy are resulting in improved outcomes and reduced morbidity for women with this disease, but its worldwide adoption is hampered by lack of accessibility to advanced imaging techniques. Ultrasound is emerging as a potential option for tumor visualization, brachytherapy catheter placement, and treatment planning. While additional work is needed, ultrasound can potentially serve as the sole imaging modality for catheter insertion and planning. This paper will review our current knowledge on the use of ultrasound in interstitial brachytherapy treatment for cervical cancer.