Diagnostic value of double contrast-enhanced ultrasound in obstructive jaundice

Objective To evaluate the preoperative value of dual contrast-enhanced ultrasound(DCEUS) on obstructive jaundice. Methods Seventy-nine patients with obstructive jaundice were included. DCEUS(percutaneous transhepatic contrast-enhanced cholangio-ultrasonography combined with intra-venous contrast-enhanced ultrasound) was performed preoperatively. The biliary obstruction plane, degree and cause were observed. After surgery, the diagnostic accuracy of DCEUS was compared with final pathologic results respectively. Results The overall accuracy of DCEUS in determining the flat, degree and cause of biliary obstruction was 98.7%, 98.7% and 93.7%, respectively. The DCEUS and"golden standard"were both almost perfect for assessing biliary obstruction with Kappa values of 0.979, 0.837 and 0.975(P=0.000). The overall diagnostic accuracy of obstruction combined with obstruction plane, the extent and cause was 92.4%. Conclusions DCEUS could be considered a feasible, reliable, and exhaustive method for preoperative evaluation of obstructive jaundice. Key words: Ultrasonography; Microbubbles; Jaundice, obstructive