The value of conventional ultrasound combining with contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis

Objective To explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in improving the diagnosis ability for xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) and wall-thickening gallbladder cancer (GBC). Methods Forth-three patients with XGCs and 31 patients with wall-thickening GBCs proved by pathology were enrolled in this study, the features on conventional ultrasound and CEUS were recorded, and the preliminary diagnosis before and after CEUS were given by doctors. Results Significant differences were found in continuous gallbladder inner wall and arterial blood supplement on conventional ultrasound, 58.1% (25/43) had continuous inner wall and 34.9% (15/43) had arterial blood flow in XGCs compared to 19.4% (6/31) and 100% in GBCs. On CEUS, 72.1% (31/43) demonstrated continuous gallbladder inner wall and 48.8% (21/43) had hypoechoic nodules in the wall in XGCs compared to 16.1% (5/31) and 19.4% (6/31) in GBCs, respectively (P 0.05). The area under ROC curve was improved from 0.701 to 0.899 after combining with CEUS (P<0.05). Conclusions Conventional ultrasound combining with CEUS could help acquiring more effective ultrasonic information and may improve the differential diagnosis ability of XGCs and GBCs. Key words: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis; Wall-thickening gallbladder cancer; Diagnostic ability