Objectives: At presentation, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs) frequently show prognostically negative hepatic involvement. The aim of this study was to characterise hepatic metastases of GEP NETs as revealed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), which allows the fine definition of the microvascular system, and to correlate these findings to the biological behaviour of the tumour. Methods: Eighteen out of 62 GEP NET patients examined between January 2007 and September 2008 had histologically proven hepatic metastases from primary ileal (#6), gastric (#1) or rectal (#1) carcinoids, pancreatic tumours (#7), or primary duodenal (#2) or occult gastrinomas (#1), and all underwent low mechanical index real-time CEUS with SonoVue ® injection. Results: Strong early enhancement in the arterial phase was observed in 15 cases (83%), and a rapid wash-out in the portal venous phase in 14 (78%). In the late venous phase, the lesions were hypoechoic in 12 cases (67%), isoechoic in five (28%), and hyperechoic in one (0.05%). The time of arterial enhancement correlated with the Ki-67 proliferative index (r s=0.516; p=0.028). Conclusions: Most of the neuroendocrine liver metastases showed increased arterial enhancement at CEUS, a behaviour that is similar to that of hepatocellular carcinomas and the opposite of that of other metastases. CEUS can be a useful diagnostic means of characterising such metastases.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in evaluating hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumours / S. Massironi, D. Conte, V. Sciola, L. Pirola, S. Paggi, M. Fraquelli, C. Ciafardini, M.P. Spampatti, M. Peracchi.. - In: DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASE. - ISSN 1590-8658. - 42:9(2010 Sep), pp. 635-641.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in evaluating hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumours

S. Massironi
Primo
;
D. Conte
Secondo
;
C. Ciafardini;M.P. Spampatti
Penultimo
;
2010

Abstract

Objectives: At presentation, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs) frequently show prognostically negative hepatic involvement. The aim of this study was to characterise hepatic metastases of GEP NETs as revealed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), which allows the fine definition of the microvascular system, and to correlate these findings to the biological behaviour of the tumour. Methods: Eighteen out of 62 GEP NET patients examined between January 2007 and September 2008 had histologically proven hepatic metastases from primary ileal (#6), gastric (#1) or rectal (#1) carcinoids, pancreatic tumours (#7), or primary duodenal (#2) or occult gastrinomas (#1), and all underwent low mechanical index real-time CEUS with SonoVue ® injection. Results: Strong early enhancement in the arterial phase was observed in 15 cases (83%), and a rapid wash-out in the portal venous phase in 14 (78%). In the late venous phase, the lesions were hypoechoic in 12 cases (67%), isoechoic in five (28%), and hyperechoic in one (0.05%). The time of arterial enhancement correlated with the Ki-67 proliferative index (r s=0.516; p=0.028). Conclusions: Most of the neuroendocrine liver metastases showed increased arterial enhancement at CEUS, a behaviour that is similar to that of hepatocellular carcinomas and the opposite of that of other metastases. CEUS can be a useful diagnostic means of characterising such metastases.
Settore MED/12 - Gastroenterologia
set-2010
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/153402
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