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Skeletal Radiology

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01-06-2020 | Ultrasound | Scientific Article

Characterization of soft tissue tumours with ultrasound, shear wave elastography and MRI

Authors: N. Winn, J. Baldwin, V. Cassar-Pullicino, P. Cool, M. Ockendon, B. Tins, J. L. Jaremko

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 6/2020

Abstract

Objective

To predict accurately whether a soft tissue mass was benign or malignant and to characterize its type using ultrasound, shear wave elastography and MRI. We hypothesized that with the addition of shear wave elastography, it would be possible to determine a threshold velocity value to classify a lesion as benign or malignant.

Materials and methods

A total of 151 consecutive, consenting adult patients were prospectively recruited to this study in a tertiary referral musculoskeletal oncology centre. All lesions were assessed with ultrasound, including B mode, Doppler and shear wave elastography measurements. One hundred thirty-eight patients also underwent MRI of the lesion. A histological diagnosis was obtained for all lesions.

Results

Malignant lesions were larger than benign lesions and had a greater Doppler activity.

There was no useful threshold shear wave velocity to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. Longitudinal and transverse shear wave velocities were strongly positively correlated with each other. An inverse correlation was shown with lesion size and depth, regardless of whether it was benign or malignant.

A logistic regression model combining the ultrasound and MRI characteristics did not confidently classify a lesion as benign or malignant and was inferior to expert opinion.

Conclusion

The strongest predictors of malignancy are large lesion size and high vascularity. The combination of all ultrasound characteristics (including shear wave elastography) and MRI features does not confidently classify a lesion as benign or malignant, and histological diagnosis remains the gold standard.

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Title: Characterization of soft tissue tumours with ultrasound, shear wave elastography and MRI
Authors: N. Winn
J. Baldwin
V. Cassar-Pullicino
P. Cool
M. Ockendon
B. Tins
J. L. Jaremko
Publication date: 01-06-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Ultrasound
Ultrasound
Published in: Skeletal Radiology / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-019-03363-1

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Springer Medicine

Characterization of soft tissue tumours with ultrasound, shear wave elastography and MRI

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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