Ultrasonography for Preoperative Diagnosis of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis

Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the activity of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

To explore the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the disease activity of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRPF).

METHODS

This retrospective study included 148 CEUS examinations from 63 patients with IRPF treated in our hospital from April 2016 to September 2021. They were divided into two groups: IRPF active group (69 examinations) and inactive group (79 examinations). Uni- and multivariable analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for IRPF activity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to establish different diagnostic models to evaluate the diagnostic value of IRPF activity. The z test was used to compare the differences of the area under the curves (AUCs). The value of CEUS in evaluating the variation of disease activity over time was also investigated between repeat patient studies.

RESULTS

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed the thickness [odds ratio (OR) = 14.125, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.017-66.123] was the most significant independent risk factor for IRPF activity (P < 0.01). The best diagnostic model was model 3, which was established by CEUS score combined with thickness. The AUC was 0.944 (95%CI = 0.912-0.977), and the sensitivity and specificity were 89.86% and 86.08%, respectively. The diagnostic performance was not significantly improved after combining clinical symptom (back pain) and laboratory indicators [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)]. Compared with before treatment, the CEUS score and thickness were significantly decreased after treatment (x2 = 14.580, P < 0.001 and z = 4.708, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

CEUS has good diagnostic value for IRPF disease activity. Key points • Thickness and contrast-enhanced ultrasound score were significantly higher in the active group than those in inactive group (P < 0.001). • With thickness of 4 mm and contrast-enhanced ultrasound 2 score as optimal cut-off values, the sensitivity and specificity were 89.86%, 81.01% and 52.17%, 100.00%, respectively. • During follow-up, when the disease progressed, the change of CEUS score was earlier than the change of thickness.

Role of transduodenal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/FNB) for diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosis (Ormond's disease)

BACKGROUND

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF), often referred to as Ormond's disease when it is of idiopathic origin, is a rare disease characterized by the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and periaortic masses in the retroperitoneum. For a definite diagnosis, a biopsy and subsequent pathological examination is required. Currently accepted methods for retroperitoneal biopsy include open, laparoscopic, or CT-guided approaches. However, transduodenal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/FNB) for diagnosis of RPF has attracted only little attention in the literature.

CASE REPORTS

We report two male patient cases who presented with leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein, and a suspicious retroperitoneal mass of unknown origin on computed tomography. One patient also reported left lower quadrant pain, whereas the other patient suffered from back pain and weight loss. In both patients, idiopathic RPF was successfully diagnosed by using transduodenal EUS-FNA/FNB with 22- and 20-gauge aspiration needles. Histopathology revealed dense lymphocytic infiltrates and fibrosis. The procedures lasted approximately 25 and 20 minutes, respectively, and in both patients no serious adverse events occurred. Treatment included steroid therapy and administration of Azathioprine.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that using EUS-FNA/FNB to diagnose RPF is a feasible, fast, and safe method, which should always be considered as a first-line diagnostic modality. Hence, this case report emphasizes that gastrointestinal endoscopists are likely to play an important role in the setting of suspected RPF.