Intra- and Inter-Observer Variability of Quantitative Parameters Used in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of Kidneys of Healthy Cats

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features as a potential biomarker for the prediction of breast cancer recurrence

PURPOSE

To investigate the associations between contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging features and disease recurrence among patients with locally advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the study, pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy contrast-enhanced ultrasound images of 43 patients with breast cancer were retrospectively analysed. Post-acquisition image processing involved the placement of freehand-drawn regions of interest, followed by the generation of blood flow kinetics representing blood volume and velocity for these regions of interest. Qualitative and quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters were compared to predict recurrence, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate predictive ability.

RESULTS

Among the 43 patients, 10 (23%) exhibited disease recurrence (median [range]: 27 [4-68] months). Post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy peak enhancement, wash-in area under the curve, wash-out area under the curve, and wash-in and wash-out area under the curve (p=0.003, p=0.004, p=0.026, and p=0.014, respectively) differed between the no-recurrence and recurrence groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.75-1.00) for post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy peak enhancement was the highest among the contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters, with a cut-off of 13.33 arbitrary units.

CONCLUSION

Higher peak enhancement on post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy contrast-enhanced ultrasound images was associated with recurrence in women with locally advanced breast cancer and is a potential biomarker of tumor recurrence.

Ultrasound-Based Technologies for the Evaluation of Testicles in the Dog: Keystones and Breakthroughs

Ultrasonography is a valuable diagnostic tool extensively used in the andrology of human and domestic animals, including dogs. This review aims to provide an overview of various technologies based on ultrasound, from the basic B-Mode ultrasonography to the more recent advancements, such as contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and ultrasound elastography (UEl), all of which are utilized in the evaluation of canine testicles. The review outlines the principles behind each of these technologies and discusses their application in assessing normal and abnormal testicular conditions. B-mode canine testicular ultrasonography primarily focuses on detecting focal lesions but has limitations in terms of objectivity. Other technologies, including Doppler ultrasonography, B-Flow, and CEUS, allow for the characterization of vascular patterns, which could be further measured using specific applications like spectral Doppler or quantitative CEUS. Additionally, ultrasound elastography enables the assessment of parenchyma stiffness both qualitatively and quantitatively. These ultrasound-based technologies play a crucial role in andrology by providing valuable information for evaluating testicular function and integrity, aiding in the identification of pathological conditions that may impact the health and quality of life of male dogs.