Can contrast enhanced ultrasound differentiate intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma from hepatocellular carcinoma?
Jiayan Huang, Jiawu Li, Wenwu Ling, Tao Li, Yan Luo, Ji‐Bin Liu, Qiang Lu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) differ in treatment and prognosis, warranting an effective differential diagnosis between them. The LR-M category in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS) was set up for lesions that are malignant but not specific to HCC. However, a substantial number of HCC cases in this category elevated the diagnostic challenge. AIM: To investigate the possibility and efficacy of differentiating ICC from HCC classified in the LR-M category according to the CEUS LI-RADS. METHODS: test. Logistic regression analysis was used for prediction of ICC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to investigate the possibility of LR-M criteria and serum tumor markers in differentiating ICC from LR-M HCC. RESULTS: < 0.01). Rim APHE presented the best enhancement pattern for diagnosing ICC, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.70, sensitivity of 70.4%, and specificity of 68.8%. When rim hyperenhancement was coupled with elevated CA 19-9 and normal AFP, the AUC and sensitivity improved to 0.82 and 100%, respectively, with specificity decreasing to 63.9%. CONCLUSION: Rim APHE is a key predictor for differentiating ICC from LR-M HCC. Rim APHE plus elevated CA 19-9 and normal AFP is a strong predictor of ICC rather than LR-M HCC. Early washout and marked washout have limited value for the differentiation between the two entities.