Clinicopathologic and ultrasonographic features of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma and its correlation with microvascular invasion: a predictive role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound
2024

Ultrasonographic Features of Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma and Microvascular Invasion

Sample size: 57 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tian HaiYing, Chen Yuling, Zhao LiNa, Liao ChunYan, Li Sha, Zhang Bei

Primary Institution: Guizhou Medical University

Hypothesis

This study aims to investigate the clinicopathological and ultrasonography characteristics of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) and its correlation with microvascular invasion (MVI).

Conclusion

Ultrasonographic and CEUS features have a certain correlation with MVI in cHCC-CCA patients, with specific features serving as independent risk factors.

Supporting Evidence

  • MVI-positive tumors had a higher proportion of tumors with a maximum diameter greater than 5 cm.
  • Low echo halo, peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement, and early washout were identified as independent risk factors for MVI.
  • The area under the curve (AUC) for the predictive factors was 0.8056.

Takeaway

Doctors can use special ultrasound pictures to help figure out if a liver tumor is more likely to spread, which can help them decide how to treat it.

Methodology

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 57 patients diagnosed with cHCC-CCA, comparing clinical data, ultrasonographic findings, and CEUS features between MVI-positive and MVI-negative groups.

Potential Biases

Subjective bias exists when determining tumor morphology and washout characteristics.

Limitations

The study was a single-center retrospective study with possible selection bias and subjective bias in tumor morphology assessment.

Participant Demographics

Patients included 57 individuals diagnosed with cHCC-CCA, with 47.4% MVI-positive and 52.6% MVI-negative.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 1.009, 91.386 for low echo halo; 95% CI: 1.269, 55.056 for peripheral irregular rim-like enhancement; 95% CI: 1.590, 63.412 for early washout.

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3389/fonc.2024.1474675

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication