Correlation between contrast-enhanced ultrasound quantitative parameters with microvessel density in ovarian masses
Objective To assess the correlation between the parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)and microvessel density(MVD)in ovarian masses.Methods Forty-eight patients with fifty-one ovarian masses were enrolled in this study.All patients took CEUS examinations and quantitative analysis using SonoLiver software.The patients were divided into benign and malignant groups according to the pathological findings.Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the level of MVD in ovarian masses.The relationship between CEUS parameters and MVD counts was statistically analyzed.Results The maximal intensity(IMAX)and area under the curve(AUC)in the malignant group were higher than those in the benign group(24.72±5.15 vs.7.53±5.90 and 1940.97±565.96 vs.397.57±299.46,P0.05).The MVD in ovarian malignant group was significantly higher than that in benign group(32.5±10.4 vs.12.7±4.4,P0.05).IMAX and AUC were significantly correlated with the level of MVD in ovarian masses(IMAX:r=0.42,P=0.009 and AUC:r=0.57,P=0.008).Conclusion PI and AUC of ovarian masses in CEUS were correlated significantly with MVD,which could be helpful for the assessment of tumor vascular distribution in ovarian masses.