Title:Application of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound and Bosniak Classification
to the Diagnosis of Cystic Renal Masses
Volume: 18
Author(s): Mei-Feng Huang, Zhi Zhang, Qing-Qing Xia, Xi-Ling Zhou, Xin-Chun Yuan*Zhi-Yu Zhou
Affiliation:
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
Keywords:
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, bosniak classification, cystic masses, cystic renal cell carcinoma, diagnosis.
Abstract:
Background: The Bosniak classification system based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography
(CECT) is commonly used for the differential diagnosis of cystic renal masses. Contrastenhanced
ultrasound (CEUS) is a relatively novel technique, which has gradually played an important
role in the diagnosis of cystic renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) due to its safety and lowest price.
Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the application value of CEUS and Bosniak classification
into the diagnosis of cystic renal masses.
Methods: 32 cystic masses from January 2018 to December 2019 were selected. The images of conventional
ultrasound (US), CEUS and CECT from subjects confirmed by surgical pathology were retrospectively
analyzed. The Bosniak classification system of cystic renal masses was implemented using
CEUS and CECT, and the diagnostic ability was compared.
Results: For the 32 cystic masses, postoperative pathology confirmed 11 cases of multilocular CRCC,
15 cases of clear cell carcinoma with hemorrhage, necrosis and cystic degeneration, 5 cases of renal
cysts, and 1 case of renal tuberculosis. The Bosniak classification based on CEUS was higher than that
based on CECT, and the difference was statistically significant (P = .024). The sensitivity, specificity,
positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of CEUS were comparable to CECT.
There was no significant difference observed in the diagnosis of CRCC (P >.05).
Conclusion: CEUS combined with Bosniak classification greatly improves the diagnosis of CRCC.
CEUS shows a comparable diagnostic ability to CECT. In daily clinical routine, patients who require
multiple examinations and present contraindications for CECT can particularly benefit from CEUS.