Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer: an updated meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The status of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) is an important factor in determining the stage of breast cancer (BC) and the surgical procedure, and also a biomarker of the BC prognosis. This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for SLN metastasis.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted for relevant articles published in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, OVID databases, and Cochrane Library from inception to March 2023. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR; NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curve to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of CEUS in SLN metastasis. Subgroup analysis was also performed to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity.

Results: A total of 12 studies with 1525 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of CEUS in the diagnosis of SLN metastasis were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.84-0.95) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78-0.92). The PLR, NLR, and DOR were 6.51 (95% CI: 4.09-10.36), 0.11 (95% CI: 0.07-0.18), and 59.43 (95% CI: 33.27-106.17), respectively, and the area under the SROC curve was determined to be 0.95 (95%CI: 0.92-0.96), all showing excellent diagnostic value. In the subgroup analysis, percutaneous CEUS was more sensitive than intravenous CEUS in the diagnosis of SLN metastases (0.92 versus 0.82, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: CEUS, especially percutaneous CEUS, is a reliable imaging technique for diagnosing SLN metastasis and providing important information in the stage management of breast cancer.

Keywords: Axillary lymph node; Breast cancer; Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Meta-analysis; Sentinel lymph node.