Double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in preoperative Borrmann classification of advanced gastric carcinoma: comparison with histopathology

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCEUS) for assessing the Borrmann classification of advanced gastric carcinoma (AGC) preoperatively. Three hundred twenty nine patients with proved AGC were enrolled. DCEUS (intravenous microbubbles combined with combined with oral contrast-enhanced ultrasound) was performed preoperatively. The diagnostic accuracy of DCEUS in determining Borrmann classification was compared with postoperative pathological findings. The reliability of DCEUS was analyzed. The accuracy of DCEUS in determining the Borrmann classification of AGC was 91.49%. The intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was both almost perfect for assessing the Borrmann classification of AGC by DCEUS. DCEUS could be considered as an accurate, non-invasive, and reliable diagnostic method for preoperative Borrmann classification of advanced gastric carcinoma.