This study aimed to evaluate the value of real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in the differential diagnosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC), and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC).


 All patients were evaluated by CEUS and CECT before the operation.  In addition, the contrast enhancement mode of CEUS and CECT and the contrast parameters of the region of interest (ROI) time-intensity curve between the lesions and the surrounding normal renal parenchyma by CEUS were compared and analyzed.


 There was no significant difference between CEUS and CECT in the diagnostic accuracy of all groups (P>0.05).  Meanwhile, compared with the surrounding renal parenchyma by CEUS, 82.5% (66/80) of CCRCC lesions showed "fast-forward and fast/slow-retrograde," while 83.3% (20/24) of PRCC, and 84.2% (16/19) showed "slow-forward and fast/slow-retrograde."  Significant differences in the enhancement modes of CEUS were found among the CCRCC, PRCC, and CRCC lesions (P < 0.05).  The contrast modes and enhancement uniformity of CEUS and CECT showed no significant differences among the CCRCC, PRCC, and CRCC lesions (P > 0.05).


 CEUS and quantitative analysis of ROI time-intensity curve can be used for differential diagnosis of the 3 RCC subtypes.  The combination of CEUS and CECT can help us differentiate RCC subtypes and is of great significance for clinical treatment strategies and prognostication.
CEUS
This study aimed to evaluate the value of real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in the differential diagnosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC), and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC).


 All patients were evaluated by CEUS and CECT before the operation.  In addition, the contrast enhancement mode of CEUS and CECT and the contrast parameters of the region of interest (ROI) time-intensity curve between the lesions and the surrounding normal renal parenchyma by CEUS were compared and analyzed.


 There was no significant difference between CEUS and CECT in the diagnostic accuracy of all groups (P>0.05).  Moreover, lesions enhanced by CECT and 74.4% (61/82) of CCRCC lesions showed "fast-forward and fast/slow-retrograde," while 66.7% (16/24) of PRCC and 84.2% (16/19) of CRCC showed "slow-forward and fast/slow-retrograde."  The contrast modes and enhancement uniformity of CEUS and CECT showed no significant differences among the CCRCC, PRCC, and CRCC lesions (P > 0.05).


 The combination of CEUS and CECT can help us differentiate RCC subtypes and is of great significance for clinical treatment strategies and prognostication.
CECT