Evaluation of Multimode Color Doppler Flow Imaging in the Diagnosis of Solid Renal Tumor

Abstract

Background. Renal cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in urinary system, seriously affecting people’s health and life. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of multi-mode color Doppler flow imaging for diagnosis of solid renal tumor. Methods. Sixty-six renal solid tumors from 63 patients were examined by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), power Doppler flow imaging (PDFI), superb microvascular imaging (SMI), and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) before surgery. The diagnostic efficacy of the four methods was compared by determining blood flow grade and ring-like blood flow with Adler’s method. Chi-square test and Fisher’s test were performed to compare the results of sensitivity and specificity among four methods. Results. Statistically significant differences in blood flow grade and ring-like blood flow were observed between benign and malignant renal tumors as detected by SMI and CEUS ( $P$  < 0.05), whereas no difference was found as detected by CDFI and PDFI ( $P$  > 0.05). The results indicated that the sensitivity and specificity of SMI (82.46%, 88.89%) and CEUS (84.21%, 88.89%) were higher than those of CDFI (42.11%, 66.67%) and PDFI (47.37%, 77.78%). Compared with the abilities of CDFI and PDFI, SMI and CEUS can better display the micro-blood flow in the tumors and evaluate the blood flow grading, which indicated that SMI and CEUS may have high values in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant solid renal tumors. Conclusion. SMI and CEUS can improve the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of benign and malignant renal tumors and have a high application value.