This study is to evaluate the value of SMI in assessing renal tumor vascularity and in differentiating benign from malignant renal tumors.
Patients with pathologically-confirmed renal mass who underwent CDFI and SMI examination between October 2016 and March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into benign renal mass group and malignant tumor group according to their pathological results. The vascularity, vascular distribution and vessel morphology obtained from the two scanning methods were analyzed and compared between the two groups.
Fifty-three patients with renal tumor were enrolled into the study, including 11 cases of benign renal tumors and 42 cases of malignant ones. SMI showed significant difference in vascularity between the two groups; CDFI showed no statistical difference. Compared with CDFI, SMI showed significantly higher grade in malignant tumor (p<0.001), and no significant difference (p=0.421) in benign mass. According to CDFI, there is no statistical difference in vascular distribution and vessel morphology (p=0.432, p=0.122) between the two groups, while SMI method showed significant difference (p<0.05) between the two groups. SMI was significantly more sensitive and accurate than CDFI.
Comparing with CDFI, SMI could effectively detect vascularity, vascular characteristics and distribution and annular blood flow in renal tumor. SMI appears more sensitive and precise in distinguishing benign renal mass from malignant tumor. Advance in knowledge: SMI seems potentially valuable in evaluating renal tumor vascularity and in differentiating benign from malignant renal tumors.
The British journal of radiology. 2017 Nov 10 [Epub ahead of print]
Yiran Mao, Jie Mu, Jing Zhao, Lihui Zhao, Xiaojie Xin
Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis and Treatment, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Shi, China.