Diagnostic value of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast vector imaging for superficial lymph node lesions

Abstract Purpose To explore the diagnostic performance and feasibility of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (HFR CEUS) combined with contrast vector imaging (CVI) in detecting benign and malignant superficial lymph nodes (SLNs). Materials and methods In this single-center prospective stud...

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Main Authors: Ruiying Li, Xiaofeng Lan, Xiang Xie, Jun Wu, Rui Hu, Jiale Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Cancer
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14190-0
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author Ruiying Li
Xiaofeng Lan
Xiang Xie
Jun Wu
Rui Hu
Jiale Guo
author_facet Ruiying Li
Xiaofeng Lan
Xiang Xie
Jun Wu
Rui Hu
Jiale Guo
author_sort Ruiying Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose To explore the diagnostic performance and feasibility of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (HFR CEUS) combined with contrast vector imaging (CVI) in detecting benign and malignant superficial lymph nodes (SLNs). Materials and methods In this single-center prospective study conducted between October 2023 and February 2024, 38 consecutive patients with suspected SLN lesions underwent B-mode US, HFR CEUS examination, and post-processing CVI analysis. Their diagnosis was confirmed using fine-needle aspiration cytologic or histopathologic examination. The diagnostic efficacy of HFR CEUS alone and the combination of HFR CEUS with CVI for benign and malignant LN diagnosis was compared and the significance of other CVI parameters was evaluated. Results The final data set included 38 participants (mean age, 56 ± 16 years) with 42 SLN lesions. Both HFR CEUS alone and HFR CEUS combined with CVI examination showed differences in the contrast patterns of benign and malignant SLNs (all P < 0.001). The contrast pattern of benign LNs was predominantly centrifugal, while that of malignant LNs was primarily centripetal and hybrid and they were more likely to exhibit perfusion defects. The comparison between CVI combined with HFR CEUS examination and pathological results for the diagnosis of benign and malignant LNs showed a high level of consistency with a kappa value of 0.81. Comparison with HFR CEUS alone resulted in a kappa value of 0.66. Conclusion HFR CEUS combined with CVI examination demonstrated a good performance in distinguishing benign and malignant SLNs.
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spelling doaj-art-9d0a37e89d824a29bfad1c1bb794240f2025-08-20T02:55:23ZengBMCBMC Cancer1471-24072025-04-012511910.1186/s12885-025-14190-0Diagnostic value of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast vector imaging for superficial lymph node lesionsRuiying Li0Xiaofeng Lan1Xiang Xie2Jun Wu3Rui Hu4Jiale Guo5Department of Ultrasound Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Ultrasound Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Ultrasound Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Ultrasound Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Ultrasound Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityAnhui Medical UniversityAbstract Purpose To explore the diagnostic performance and feasibility of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (HFR CEUS) combined with contrast vector imaging (CVI) in detecting benign and malignant superficial lymph nodes (SLNs). Materials and methods In this single-center prospective study conducted between October 2023 and February 2024, 38 consecutive patients with suspected SLN lesions underwent B-mode US, HFR CEUS examination, and post-processing CVI analysis. Their diagnosis was confirmed using fine-needle aspiration cytologic or histopathologic examination. The diagnostic efficacy of HFR CEUS alone and the combination of HFR CEUS with CVI for benign and malignant LN diagnosis was compared and the significance of other CVI parameters was evaluated. Results The final data set included 38 participants (mean age, 56 ± 16 years) with 42 SLN lesions. Both HFR CEUS alone and HFR CEUS combined with CVI examination showed differences in the contrast patterns of benign and malignant SLNs (all P < 0.001). The contrast pattern of benign LNs was predominantly centrifugal, while that of malignant LNs was primarily centripetal and hybrid and they were more likely to exhibit perfusion defects. The comparison between CVI combined with HFR CEUS examination and pathological results for the diagnosis of benign and malignant LNs showed a high level of consistency with a kappa value of 0.81. Comparison with HFR CEUS alone resulted in a kappa value of 0.66. Conclusion HFR CEUS combined with CVI examination demonstrated a good performance in distinguishing benign and malignant SLNs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14190-0Superficial lymph nodeHigh-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasoundContrast vector imaging
spellingShingle Ruiying Li
Xiaofeng Lan
Xiang Xie
Jun Wu
Rui Hu
Jiale Guo
Diagnostic value of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast vector imaging for superficial lymph node lesions
BMC Cancer
Superficial lymph node
High-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Contrast vector imaging
title Diagnostic value of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast vector imaging for superficial lymph node lesions
title_full Diagnostic value of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast vector imaging for superficial lymph node lesions
title_fullStr Diagnostic value of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast vector imaging for superficial lymph node lesions
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic value of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast vector imaging for superficial lymph node lesions
title_short Diagnostic value of high-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast vector imaging for superficial lymph node lesions
title_sort diagnostic value of high frame rate contrast enhanced ultrasound and contrast vector imaging for superficial lymph node lesions
topic Superficial lymph node
High-frame-rate contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Contrast vector imaging
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14190-0
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