Contrast enhancement ultrasound application in focal liver lesions characterization: a retrospective study about guidelines application (SOCEUS-CEUS survey).
BACKGROUND
The SOCEUS survey aims to evaluate how contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is effectively used in the focal liver lesions characterization.


METHODS
In the survey were involved Verona, Brescia and Trieste Radiological Centers and Arezzo and Bologna Non-radiological Centers. Inclusion criteria were liver focal lesion detection at conventional ultrasound and studied by means of CEUS, with or without CT or MRI examinations, done previous or subsequent to CEUS.


RESULTS
1069 forms were collected. Patients with benign lesions, who did not undergo any other studies, were 255/561 (45.5 %). Among patients with diagnosis of hemangioma at CEUS, those who had no other investigations were 129/267 (48.3 %). Patients with malignant lesions who had studies pre-CEUS (CT and/or MRI) were 328/508 (65 %), whereas those who had examinations post-CEUS (CT and/or MRI) were 218/508 (42.9 %). Concordance rate between CEUS and CT investigations pre- and post-CEUS was, respectively, 66 and 89 %. Concordance rate between CEUS and MRI studies pre- and post-CEUS was, respectively, 87.5 and 81.5 %.


CONCLUSIONS
This study proves contrast-enhanced ultrasound correct application in the involved centers.
Department of Radiology, University Hospital G.B. Rossi, University of Verona Piazzale L. A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Mirko
M
D'Onofrio
Department of Radiology, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
Laura
L
Romanini
Department of organ failure and transplantation, University Hospital S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy.
Carla
C
Serra
Department of Gastroenterology, S. Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy.
Fabrizio
F
Magnolfi
Department of Radiology, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy.
Michele
M
Bertolotto
Department of Radiology, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy.
Emilio
E
Quaia
Department of Radiology, University Hospital G.B. Rossi, University of Verona Piazzale L. A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Gino
G
Puntel
Department of Radiology, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Colleoni
Department of organ failure and transplantation, University Hospital S. Orsola, Bologna, Italy.
Erica
E
Fiorini
Department of Gastroenterology, S. Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy.
Cristina
C
Cenci
Department of Radiology, University Hospital G.B. Rossi, University of Verona Piazzale L. A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Elena
E
Santi
Department of Radiology, University Hospital G.B. Rossi, University of Verona Piazzale L. A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Valentina
V
Ciaravino
Department of Radiology, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
Francesco
F
Laffranchi
Department of Radiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione Pascale, Naples, Italy.
Orlando
O
Catalano
Department of Radiology, Policlinico Umberto I, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Vito
V
Cantisani
Department of Radiology, University Hospital S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
Fabrizio
F
Calliada
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL, University of Genoa), IRCCS AOU San Martino IST, Genoa, Italy.
Lorenzo
L
Derchi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media
CEUS; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Focal liver lesions; Multicenter study