Diagnostic accuracy of shear wave elastography for endometrial cancer: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to identify the accuracy of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer (EC). Methods: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and chinese biomedical literature database from inception to September 30, 2022. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 14.0 and Meta-Disc version 1.4 software. We calculated summary statistics for sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+/LR−), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves. Results: Eight studies that met all the inclusion criteria were included in this meta-analysis. A total of 432 patients with EC and 548 with benign endometrial lesions were assessed. All endometrial lesions were histologically confirmed by SWE. The pooled Sen was 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.83–0.95); the pooled Spe was 0.90 (95% CI = 0.86–0.93); the pooled LR+ was 9.10 (95% CI = 6.20–13.35); the pooled negative LR− was 0.10 (95% CI = 0.05–0.20); the pooled DOR of SWE in the diagnosis of EC was 90.73 (95% CI = 36.62–804.5). The area under the SROC curve was 0.95 (95% CI = 0.93–0.97). No evidence of publication bias was found (t = 0.98, P = .37). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis indicates that SWE may have high diagnostic accuracy in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant endometrial lesions. Thus, SWE may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of EC.