Identification of superficial invasive and indolent lymphomatous lymph nodes by multiple ultrasonographic vascular imaging.

in Scientific reports by Lin Li, Wenjuan Lu, Hongyan Deng, Wenqin Chen, Hua Shu, Pingyang Zhang, Xinhua Ye

TLDR

  • Ultrasonographic Vascular imaging can accurately identify invasive and indolent lymphomatous lymph nodes, with CDFI combined with CEUS showing the highest diagnostic sensitivity of 98.1%.
  • The study demonstrates the potential of AngioPLUSTM in improving diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy.
  • Ultrasonographic Vascular imaging can guide clinicians to make more accurate diagnosis and better treatment for patients with lymphoma.

Abstract

This study aimed to explore whether superficial invasive lymphomas and indolent lymphomas could be identified by Ultrasonographic vascular imaging. A retrospective study enrolled 82 lymphoma patients. According to proliferation rates and clinical course, the lymph nodes were classified as invasive and indolent lymphomatous lymph nodes. All patients underwent ultrasound (US) with three established techniques: color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), angio plus ultrasound imaging (AngioPLUS™), and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Qualitative and quantitative parameters from the two groups were compared. Finally, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) and regression analysis were used to compare the differences between the two groups and determine the diagnostic efficiency of the three techniques for differentiating invasive lymphoma from indolent lymphoma. The types of blood flow distribution between invasive and indolent lymphomatous lymph nodes were statistically different in all three Ultrasound techniques. In CDFI, invasive or indolent lymphomatous lymph nodes were determined by resistance index (RI) (p < 0.001). AngioPLUSTM offered better blood flow performance and diagnostic sensitivity than CDFI. In CEUS, the differences between the two groups in necrosis and arrival time (ATM) (p = 0.026, 0.043) were statistically significant. Finally, CDFI combined with CEUS had the highest diagnostic sensitivity of 98.1%. Interobserver agreements for qualitative parameters were all excellent. Ultrasonographic Vascular imaging is useful in identifying invasive and indolent lymphomatous lymph nodes, and CDFI combined with CEUS had the highest diagnostic sensitivity, which can guide clinicians to make more accurate diagnosis and better treatment for patients.

Overview

  • The study aimed to explore whether superficial invasive lymphomas and indolent lymphomas could be identified by Ultrasonographic vascular imaging.
  • The study enrolled 82 lymphoma patients and used three established ultrasound techniques: color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), angio plus ultrasound imaging (AngioPLUS™), and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).
  • The primary objective of the study was to identify the diagnostic efficiency of the three techniques for differentiating invasive lymphoma from indolent lymphoma.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The study found that the types of blood flow distribution between invasive and indolent lymphomatous lymph nodes were statistically different in all three ultrasound techniques.
  • In CDFI, invasive or indolent lymphomatous lymph nodes were determined by resistance index (RI) (p < 0.001). AngioPLUSTM offered better blood flow performance and diagnostic sensitivity than CDFI.
  • In CEUS, the differences between the two groups in necrosis and arrival time (ATM) (p = 0.026, 0.043) were statistically significant.

Implications and Future Directions

  • Ultrasonographic Vascular imaging is useful in identifying invasive and indolent lymphomatous lymph nodes. This can guide clinicians to make more accurate diagnosis and better treatment for patients.
  • Further studies can explore the use of ultrasonographic vascular imaging in combination with other diagnostic techniques for more accurate diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.
  • The study highlights the potential of angio plus ultrasound imaging (AngioPLUSTM) in providing better blood flow performance and diagnostic sensitivity than other techniques.
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