Diagnosis Value of Cerebral Ultrasound on White Matter Damage: A Meta Analysis

Objectives A meta analysis was performed to determine the value and accuracy in diagnosis of white matter damage. Methods A comprehensive and systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, CBM, Wanfang, Weipu and CJFD databases. A software called ‘Meta-disc’ was used to obtain pooled estimates. Results Ten articles were included. The included studies had heterogeneity(I2 of sensitivity=0.753, I2 of specificity=0.91). Mean sensitivity and specificity was 97.0% (95.0%～98.0%) and 97.4% (96.4%～98.2%), respectively. Summary positive likelihood ratio was 36.24(9.67～135.83), summary negative likelihood ratio was 0.041 (0.02～0.10) and summary diagnostic odds ratio was 1 210.8(182.57～8 029.5). The AUC of SROC was 0.994 2, SE=0.012 5. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated no disproportionate influences of individual studies. Deeks funnel plot suggested the publication bias was not significant(P=0.07). Conclusion SROC shows that cerebral ultrasound is of value in diagnosis of white matter damage.