Diagnostic accuracy and interobserver variability of Dynamic Vascular Pattern (DVP) in primary liver malignancies - A simple semiquantitative tool for the analysis of contrast enhancement patterns

Schellhaas B, Waldner M, Goertza RS, Vitali F, Kielisch C, Pfeifer L, Strobel D, Janka RM, Neurath M, Wildner D (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation IOS Press

Book Volume: 66

Pages Range: 317-331

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.3233/CH-16238

Abstract

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a valuable tool in the diagnostic approach of focal liver lesions, but occasionally subjective and observer-dependent. Semiquantitative evaluation of dynamic CEUS (DCEUS) with standardised software programmes such as Dynamic Vascular Pattern (DVP) could help to improve diagnostic accuracy and objectivity in liver tumour assessment.The present study aimed at evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of DVP in a clinical setting.DVP images of 52 focal liver lesions [30 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 15 intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas (ICCs), 7 focal nodular hyperplasias (FNHs)] were analysed by four blinded observers with different levels of CEUS-experience. Diagnostic accuracies for the assessment of dignity and entity were evaluated.Mean sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for detection of malignancy with DVP were 48.4% /67.8% /92.7% and 29.3%, respectively. Total diagnostic accuracies for dignity/entity were 63.9% /38.5% (HCC: 58.3% /25.8%; ICC: 73.3% /50%; FNH: 67.9% /67.9%). Interreader-agreement was moderate (?= 0.42-0.58). Differential diagnosis between ICC and HCC was most challenging.Although developed to improve diagnostic accuracy and objectivity in the assessment of focal liver lesions, DVP alone seems insufficient for differential diagnosis of HCC, ICC and FNH and cannot replace the skills of an experienced observer.

Authors with CRIS profile

Maximilian Waldner Professur für Funktionelle Bildgebung in der Medizin Francesco Vitali Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Lukas Pfeifer Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Deike Strobel Medizinische Fakultät Rolf Matthias Janka Institute of Radiology Markus Neurath Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin I Dane Wildner Medizinische Fakultät

How to cite

APA:

Schellhaas, B., Waldner, M., Goertza, R.S., Vitali, F., Kielisch, C., Pfeifer, L.,... Wildner, D. (2017). Diagnostic accuracy and interobserver variability of Dynamic Vascular Pattern (DVP) in primary liver malignancies - A simple semiquantitative tool for the analysis of contrast enhancement patterns. Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, 66(4), 317-331. https://doi.org/10.3233/CH-16238

MLA:

Schellhaas, B., et al. "Diagnostic accuracy and interobserver variability of Dynamic Vascular Pattern (DVP) in primary liver malignancies - A simple semiquantitative tool for the analysis of contrast enhancement patterns." Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation 66.4 (2017): 317-331.

BibTeX: Download