Background This prospective multicenter study funded by the DEGUM assesses the diagnostic accuracy of standardized contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the noninvasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. Methods Patients at high risk for HCC with a histologically proven focal liver lesion on B-mode ultrasound were recruited prospectively in a multicenter approach. Clinical and imaging data were entered via online entry forms. The diagnostic accuracies for the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC were compared for the conventional interpretation of standardized CEUS at the time of the examination (= CEUS on-site) and the two CEUS algorithms ESCULAP (Erlanger Synopsis for Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound for Liver lesion Assessment in Patients at risk) and CEUS LI-RADS (Contrast-Enhanced UltraSound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System). Results 321 patients were recruited in 43 centers; 299 (93.1 %) had liver cirrhosis. The diagnosis according to histology was HCC in 256 cases, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) in 23 cases. In the subgroup of cirrhotic patients (n = 299), the highest sensitivity for the diagnosis of HCC was achieved with the CEUS algorithm ESCULAP (94.2 %) and CEUS on-site (90.9 %). The lowest sensitivity was reached with the CEUS LI-RADS algorithm (64 %; p < 0.001). However, the specificity of CEUS LI-RADS (78.9 %) was superior to that of ESCULAP (50.9 %) and CEUS on-site (64.9 %; p < 0.001). At the same time, the negative predictive value (NPV) of CEUS LI-RADS was significantly inferior to that of ESCULAP (34.1 % vs. 67.4 %; p < 0.001) and CEUS on-site (62.7 %; p < 0.001). The positive predictive values of all modalities were high (around 90 %), with the best results seen for CEUS LI-RADS and CEUS on-site. Conclusion This is the first multicenter, prospective comparison of standardized CEUS and the recently developed CEUS-based algorithms in histologically proven liver lesions in cirrhotic patients. Our results reaffirm the excellent diagnostic accuracy of CEUS for the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC in high-risk patients. However, on-site diagnosis by an experienced examiner achieves an almost equal diagnostic accuracy compared to CEUS-based diagnostic algorithms.

This prospective multicentre study confirms the broad spectrum of percutaneous US-guided intraabdominal interventions. However diagnostic liver biopsies dominate with the use of core needle biopsies (18 G). Percutaneous US-guided interventions performed by experienced sonographers are associated with a low bleeding risk. Major bleeding complications are very rare. A pre-interventional INR < 1.5 and individual medication risk assessment are recommended.

HCC and ICC differ to some extent in their CEUS enhancement pattern. Incomplete arterial hyperenhancement is more often seen in ICC than in HCC. A rim sign seems to be specific for ICC, but is only rarely present. However, in a case-to-case decision, due to overlapping characteristics, a reliable differentiation between the two tumor types by CEUS alone is very often not possible.

Background and Aims: Self-expandable metal stents are used for the treatment of anastomotic leaks after gastro- esophageal surgery. Predictors for treatment failure and complications are unknown. In this observational retrospective study, we summarize our experience with self-expandable metal stents for the treatment of anastomotic leaks, in order to determine the predictors of treatment failure. Methods: Between 2009 and 2015, 34 patients with anastomotic leak after curative resection of gastro- esophageal cancer were treated with self-expandable metal stents. Gender, histology, comorbidity, body mass index, neoadjuvant therapy, previous surgery, leak size, and stent diameter were analyzed for their predictive value according to treatment success and complication rate. Results: Leak closure rate was 76%. Risk factors for treatment failure were neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, squamous cell histology, and esophageal tumor location. Gender, comorbidity, body mass index, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and previous surgery were not correlated with outcome. Mortality rate was 20%, most often due to uncontrolled leak. Severe stent-related complications occurred in 15% of patients, most of them following insertion of a large-sized stent. Conclusion: Squamous cell histology, neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, and esophageal tumor location are predictors for treatment failure. Severe stent-related complications seem to be preferentially associated with the use of large-sized stents.