Perfusion-based malignancy assessment of soft-tissue tumors by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS): a comprehensive analysis of 187 cases.
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This study aimed to examine the perfusion characteristics of benign and malignant soft-tissue tumors (STT) using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and to correlate STT micro-perfusion with malignancy. Findings were compared with patient characteristics, clinical presentations, MRI findings, and histopathological outcomes.This prospective single-center study involved patients with unclear STTs who were scheduled for STT biopsy. Clinical assessments and preoperative MRI were conducted along with CEUS. Perfusion quantification was performed, and perfusion parameters (peak enhancement [PE], rise time, wash-in perfusion index, and washout rate) were calculated. Perfusion characteristics of different STTs were compared.187 patients were included in the final analysis. Significant differences in CEUS perfusion between benign and non-benign STTs were demonstrated. Non-benign tumors showed significantly higher tumor perfusion and differences were also significant when comparing semi-malignant, malignant, and metastatic STTs. (PE-benign 107.74 [34.65-345.62]; PE-semi-malignant 166.06 [60.14-374.47]; PE-malignant 1042.24 [358.15-4917.74]; PE-metastasis 2632.37 [2249.46-3788.94]. ROC analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 80% and a PPV of 69% for malignant tumor detection using a cut-off value for peak enhancement of 137 [a.u.].CEUS appears to be a promising tool for primary STT evaluation in addition to MRI. Furthermore, it can detect vital areas within the tumor tissue and could be utilized to increase biopsy accuracy.