Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) ultrasound imaging of pancreatic cystic lesions.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ARFI ultrasound imaging with Virtual Touch tissue quantification in studying pancreatic cystic lesions, compared with phantom fluid models.


METHODS
Different phantom fluids at different viscosity or density (water, iodinate contrast agent, and oil) were evaluated by two independent operators. From September to December 2008, 23 pancreatic cystic lesions were prospectively studied. All lesions were pathologically confirmed.


RESULTS
Non-numerical values on water and numerical values on other phantoms were obtained. Inter-observer evaluation revealed a perfect correlation (rs=1.00; p<0.0001) between all measurements achieved by both operators per each balloon and fluid. Among the pancreatic cystic lesions, 14 mucinous cystadenomas, 4 pseudocysts, 3 intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms and 2 serous cystadenomas were studied. The values obtained ranged from XXXX/0-4,85 m/s in mucinous cystadenomas, from XXXX/0-3,11 m/s in pseudocysts, from XXXX/0-4,57 m/s in intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasms. In serous cystadenomas all values measured were XXXX/0m/s. Diagnostic accuracy in benign and non-benign differentiation of pancreatic cystic lesions was 78%.


CONCLUSIONS
Virtual Touch tissue quantification can be applied in the analysis of fluids and is potentially able to differentiate more complex (mucinous) from simple (serous) content in studying pancreatic cystic lesions.
D'Onofrio
M
M
Department of Radiology, University Hospital G.B. Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy. mirko.donofrio@univr.it
Gallotti
A
A
Salvia
R
R
Capelli
P
P
Mucelli
R Pozzi
RP
D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010192:Pancreatic Pseudocyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014783:Viscosity