Abstract |
The purpose of the study was to assess contrast enhancement patterns of hepatic tumours during the vascular phase using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and Levovist to differentiate hepatocellular carcinoma from other hepatic tumours. 89 hepatic tumours in 82 consecutive patients were evaluated using coded harmonic ultrasound imaging. The procedure used a phase inversion harmonic technique and coded technology. We observed images for 2 min from the beginning of the administration as the vascular phase using continuous transmission and intermittent transmissions of 1 s or 2 s. The contrast agent Levovist was administered intravenously as a bolus infusion of 2.5 g. Tumour vessels with flow spreading into the tumour and/or homogeneously stained hyperechoic images were observed in 34 of the 41 hepatocellular carcinomas (sensitivity, 82.9%; specificity, 93.8%). Peripheral enhancements were characteristic of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic hepatic tumours (sensitivity, 60.0% and 83.3%; specificity, 65.5% and 76.4%, respectively). Pooling at the periphery or throughout the tumour was apparent only in haemangioma (sensitivity, 76.5%; specificity, 100%). A tortuous feeding artery and spoke-like vascularization were evident only in the two focal nodular hyperplasias. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound using coded harmonic ultrasound imaging and Levovist provided detailed information about tumour vascularity and contrast enhancement patterns in hepatic tumours.
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Authors | J Furuse, M Nagase, H Ishii, M Yoshino |
Journal | The British journal of radiology
(Br J Radiol)
Vol. 76
Issue 906
Pg. 385-92
(Jun 2003)
ISSN: 0007-1285 [Print] England |
PMID | 12814924
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Contrast Media
- Polysaccharides
- SHU 508
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
(diagnostic imaging)
- Cholangiocarcinoma
(diagnostic imaging)
- Contrast Media
- Female
- Hemangioma
(diagnostic imaging)
- Humans
- Image Enhancement
(methods)
- Liver
(blood supply)
- Liver Neoplasms
(blood supply, diagnostic imaging)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polysaccharides
- Ultrasonography
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