Background: To evaluate the ability of superb microvascular imaging to differentiate benign from malignant liver tumors and to compare it with color and power Doppler ultrasonography.
Methods: Patients scheduled for core biopsy of a liver mass were evaluated with superb microvascular imaging, color, and power Doppler, and their vascularity grades were determined. Vascularity grades of malignant and benign tumors were compared.
Results: Vascularity grades were significantly higher in superb microvascular imaging compared to color and power Doppler in both benign and malignant liver lesions (P < .001). However, no statistical difference in vascularity grades between benign and malignant tumors on superb microvascular imaging, power, and color Doppler was found. The area under the ROC curve was 0.642 for SMI (P = .127), 0.514 for color Doppler (P = .153), and 0.653 for power Doppler (P = .144).
Conclusion: Superb microvascular imaging is superior to color and power Doppler techniques in terms of depiction of liver tumor vascularity. However, superb microvascular imaging vascularity grade is not reliable at identification of malignant from benign tumors.
Cite this article as: Awiwi MO, Bagcilar O, Gjoni M, Akbas S. Comparing the diagnostic value of superb microvascular imaging with color and power Doppler in primary and secondary liver tumors. Imaging Interv. 2021;1(2):26-31.