Quantitative and Qualitative Approach for Shear Wave Elastography in Superficial Lymph Nodes

The diagnostic contribution of 2-D shear-wave elastography (SWE) in management superficial lymph nodes (LNs) any origin was evaluated 222 patients referred for needle core biopsy. Each patient underwent conventional B-mode/Doppler ultrasound examinations (conventional ultrasound) and SWE. Quantitative SWE parameters qualitative map features were extracted. Carcinomas found to be significantly stiffer than benign LNs (29.5 ± 32.3 kPa vs. 6.7 12.3 kPa). Lymphomas exhibited intermediate stiffness (11.4 5.2 Qualitative analysis provided color patterns specific histopathology (stiff rim, nodular undetermined related malignancy blue pattern benignity). Adding improved the sensitivity LN diagnosis (from 81.1% 92.0%) but decreased its specificity 73.2% 67.6%) because high prevalence lymphomas compared with carcinomas. Inter-observer agreement quantitative good (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.82) as inter-observer (κ 0.65). location histology type influence reported performance