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Stoelinga B, Juffermans L, Dooper A, de Lange M, Hehenkamp W, Van den Bosch T, Huirne J. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging of Uterine Disorders: A Systematic Review. ULTRASONIC IMAGING 2021; 43:239-252. [PMID: 34036872 PMCID: PMC8299780 DOI: 10.1177/01617346211017462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Uterine disorders are often presented with overlapping symptoms. The microvasculature holds specific information important for diagnosing uterine disorders. Conventional sonography is an established diagnostic technique in gynecology, but is limited by its inability to image the microvasculature. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), is capable of imaging the microvasculature by means of intravascular contrast agents; that is, gas-filled microbubbles. We provide a literature overview on the use of CEUS in diagnosing myometrial and endometrial disorders, that is, fibroids, adenomyosis, leiomyosarcomas and endometrial carcinomas, as well as for monitoring and enhancing the effectiveness of minimally invasive therapies. A systematic literature search with quality assessment was performed until December 2020. In total 34 studies were included, published between 2007 and 2020.The results entail a description of contrast-enhancement patterns obtained from healthy tissue and from malignant and benign tissue; providing a first base for potential diagnostic differentiation in gynecology. In addition it is also possible to determine the degree of myometrial invasion in case of endometrial carcinoma using CEUS. The effectiveness of minimally invasive therapies for uterine disorders can safely and accurately be assessed with CEUS. In conclusion, the abovementioned applications of CEUS are promising and it is worth further exploring its full potential for gynecology by designing innovative and methodologically high-quality clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anniek Dooper
- Amsterdam UMC Locatie VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Judith Huirne
- Amsterdam UMC Locatie De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Ultrasound Measurement of Tumor-Free Distance from the Serosal Surface as the Alternative to Measuring the Depth of Myometrial Invasion in Predicting Lymph Node Metastases in Endometrial Cancer. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081472. [PMID: 34441406 PMCID: PMC8392068 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ultrasonography’s usefulness in endometrial cancer (EC) diagnosis consists in its roles in staging and prediction of metastasis. Ultrasound-measured tumor-free distance from the tumor to the uterine serosa (uTFD) is a promising marker for these diagnostic and prognostic variables. The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of this biomarker in locoregional staging, and thus in the prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Methods: We conducted a single-institutional, prospective study on 116 consecutive patients with EC who underwent 2D transvaginal ultrasound examination. The uTFD marker was compared with the depth of ultrasound-measured myometrial invasion (uMI). Univariable and multivariable logit models were evaluated to assess the predictive power of the uTFD and uMI in regard to LNM. The reference standard was a final histopathology result. Survival was assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: LNM was found in 17% of the patients (20/116). In the univariable analysis, uMI and uTFD were significant predictors of LNM. The accuracy was 70.7%, and the NPV was 92.68% (OR 4.746, 95% CI 1.710–13.174) for uMI (p = 0.002), and they were 63.8% and 89.02% (OR 0.842, 95% CI 0.736–0.963), respectively, for uTFD (p = 0.01). The cutoff value for uTFD in the prediction of LNM was 5.2 mm. The association between absence of LNM and biomarker values of uMI < 1/2 and uTFD ≥ 5.2 mm was greater than that between the presence of metastases and uMI > 1/2 and uTFD values <5.2 mm. In the multivariable analysis, the accuracy of the uMI–uTFD model was 74%, and its NPV was 90.24% (p = non-significant). Neither uMI nor uTFD were surrogates for overall and recurrence-free survivals in endometrial cancer. Conclusions: Both uMI and uTFD, either alone or in combination, were valuable tools for gaining additional preoperative information on expected lymph node status. Negative lymph nodes status was better described by ultrasound biomarkers than a positive status. It was easier to use the uTFD rather than the uMI measurement as a biomarker of EC invasion, and the former still maintained a similar predictive value for lymph node metastases to the latter at diagnosis.
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Reinhold C, Ueno Y, Akin EA, Bhosale PR, Dudiak KM, Jhingran A, Kang SK, Kilcoyne A, Lakhman Y, Nicola R, Pandharipande PV, Paspulati R, Shinagare AB, Small W, Vargas HA, Whitcomb BP, Glanc P. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Pretreatment Evaluation and Follow-Up of Endometrial Cancer. J Am Coll Radiol 2020; 17:S472-S486. [PMID: 33153558 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
To date, there is little consensus on the role of pelvic imaging in assessing local disease extent during initial staging in patients with endometrial carcinoma, with practices differing widely across centers. However, when pretreatment assessment of local tumor extent is indicated, MRI is the preferred imaging modality. Preoperative imaging of endometrial carcinoma can define the extent of disease and indicate the need for subspecialist referral in the presence of deep myometrial invasion, cervical extension, or suspected lymphadenopathy. If distant metastatic disease is clinically suspected, preoperative assessment with cross-sectional imaging or PET/CT may be performed. However, most patients with low-grade disease are at low risk of lymph node and distant metastases. Thus, this group may not require a routine pretreatment evaluation for distant metastases. Recurrence rates in patients with endometrial carcinoma are infrequent. Therefore, radiologic evaluation is typically used only to investigate suspicion of recurrent disease due to symptoms or physical examination and not for routine surveillance after treatment. 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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yoshiko Ueno
- Research Author, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Esma A Akin
- George Washington University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | - Anuja Jhingran
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Stella K Kang
- New York University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Yulia Lakhman
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Refky Nicola
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science, Buffalo, New York
| | | | - Rajmohan Paspulati
- University Hospitals Medical Group Radiology, Cleveland, Ohio, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Atul B Shinagare
- Brigham & Women's Hospital Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William Small
- Stritch School of Medicine Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois
| | | | - Bradford P Whitcomb
- University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut; Society of Gynecologic Oncology
| | - Phyllis Glanc
- Specialty Chair, University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Pop CM, Mihu D, Badea R. Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of endometrial pathology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 88:433-7. [PMID: 26733740 PMCID: PMC4689232 DOI: 10.15386/cjmed-499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ultrasound is the reference imaging procedure used for the exploration of endometrial pathology. As medical procedures improve and the requirements of modern medicine become more demanding, gray-scale ultrasound is insufficient in establishing gynecological diagnosis. Thus, more complex examination techniques are required: Doppler ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), 3D ultrasound, etc. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a special examination technique that gains more and more ground. This allows a detailed real-time evaluation of microcirculation in a certain territory, which is impossible to perform by Doppler ultrasound. The aim of this review is to synthesize current knowledge regarding CEUS applications in endometrial pathology, to detail the technical aspects of endometrial CEUS and the physical properties of the equipment and contrast agents used, as well as to identify the limitations of the method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciprian Mihaita Pop
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dan Mihu
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu Badea
- Ultrasound Laboratory, Department of Imaging and Radiology, Octavian Fodor Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Department of Medical Imaging, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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