The diagnostic value of Doppler Resistive Index in the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions

Aim: To investigate the diagnostic value of resistance index (RI) in differentiating focal liver lesions. Patients and methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 576 patients with histologically confirmed focal liver lesions were included. Each patient underwent B-mode ultrasound examination and color Doppler ultrasound examination. The RI values of different focal liver lesions were recorded and compared. Results: The mean RI value of benign lesions was significantly lower than that of malignant lesions (0.54 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.71 +/- 0.12) (p <0.05). In malignant lesions, the RI value of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was significantly lower than that of hepatocellular carcinoma lesions. Furthermore, in hepatocellular carcinoma lesions, the RI of large lesions (group 4: >10 cm) was significantly lower than that of small lesions (group 1: <= 2 cm, group 2: 2-5 cm) (p <0.05). Taken RI of 0.615 as a cutoff value to differentiate malignant and benign lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 82.80%, 81.00%, 81.34% and 82.48%, respectively. Conclusion: Color Doppler ultrasound examination is a valuable imaging method in detecting blood flow signal within liver lesions. The RI parameter should be helpful in differentiating malignant and benign liver tumors.

Automated summary

This study investigated the diagnostic value of resistance index (RI) in differentiating focal liver lesions. The results showed that the RI value was significantly lower in benign lesions compared to malignant lesions. In hepatocellular carcinoma, the RI value of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was significantly lower than that of hepatocellular carcinoma lesions. Furthermore, the RI value was lower in large hepatocellular carcinoma lesions compared to small lesions. By using an RI value of 0.615 as a cutoff, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were determined. This study concluded that color Doppler ultrasound examination and the RI parameter are valuable in differentiating malignant and benign liver tumors.