Abstract: 【Objective】 To investigate whether contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) of ovarian carcinoma provides useful information to assess the lymph nodes metastasis

and analyze the correlation between the findings of CEUS and the expression of E-cadherin. 【Methods】 One hundred and six patients with ovarian carcinoma confirmed by pathology after operation were examined by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

and the data wereanalyzed quantitatively.The baseline intensity(BI)

peak intensity(PI)

arrival time(AT) and time to peak(TTP)of ovarian carcinoma was measured automatically

and the enhanced intensity(EI)and wash-in time(WIT) of ovarian carcinoma was calculated manually(EI = PI-BI

WIT = TTP-AT). All of the subjects were divided into lymph nodes metastasis group and negative lymph nodes metastasis group according to their lymph nodes status postoperatively. The quantitative analysis and pathological results of both groups were compared each other.The Kappa’s test was used for inter-rater reliability. Immunostaining was performed to detect the expression of E-cadherin and compared each other

then analysis the correlation between quantitative analysis results and the expression of E-cadherin. 【Results】 BI of lymph nodes metastasis in the ovarian carcinoma tissues was lower than that of negative lymph nodes metastasis

EI of lymph nodes metastasis in the ovarian carcinoma tissues was higher than that of negative lymph nodes metastasis. An enhanced intensity cutoff value of 83.8 dB was thebest point for balancing the sensitivity and specificity (82.43% and 79.31%

respectively)for prediction of lymph node metastasis. The Kappa value of this method was 0.87. The low expression rate of E-cadherin in lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that in negative lymph node metastasis. The expression of E-cadherin was positively correlated with BI and negatively correlated with EI

the correlation coefficient was 0.658 and -0.527. 【Conclusion】 Quantitative analysis with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography may be used to evaluate the lymph node metastasis of ovarian carcinoma

it may be used to provideimportant information for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian carcinoma if combining with the detection of the expression of E-cadherin

CT or MRI.