Diagnosis of small hepatic nodules detected by surveillance ultrasound in patients with cirrhosis: Comparison between contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography.

Aim: To investigate the diagnostic value for the diagnosis of small (1-2 cm) hepatic nodules detected by surveillance ultrasound in patients with cirrhosis using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) compared with that of contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography (CECT). Methods: Seventy-two liver cirrhosis patients with 103 small hepatic nodules (1-2 cm) detected by surveillance ultrasound were enrolled in the present study. All patients underwent CEUS with SonoVue as well as CECT. Nodules which appeared by contrast enhancement during the arterial phase and contrast wash-out during the late phase on CEUS or CECT were diagnosed as malignant (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]). Histopathology obtained from biopsy or surgery served as the gold standard. Results: According to the above diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity (i.e. rate of correct diagnosis of HCC) was 91.1% (51/56 HCC) for CEUS and the specificity (i.e. the rate of correct exclusion of HCC) was 87.2% (41/47 regenerative nodules [RN]).Therefore, the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS was 89.3% (92/103 all nodules). Using the same diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CECT were 80.4% (45/56 HCC), 97.9% (46/47 RN), and 88.4% (91/103 all nodules). Overall, there was no significant difference between CEUS and CECT in the diagnostic confidence of small hepatic nodules. Eighty-six nodules (45 HCC and 41 RN) were correctly diagnosed by both modalities and six (five HCC and one RN) were misdiagnosed by both. Conclusion: The ability of CEUS in the characterization of small nodules (1-2 cm) detected by surveillance US in patients with liver cirrhosis is similar to that of CECT.     

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of nodules in liver cirrhosis

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)using microbubble contrast agents are useful for the diagnosis of the nodules in liver cirrhosis.CEUS can be used as a problem-solving method for indeterminate nodules on computed tomography(CT)or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)or as an initial diagnostic test for small newly detected liver nodules.CEUS has unique advantages over CT and MRI including no renal excretion of contrast,real-time imaging capability,and purely intravascular contrast.Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is characterized by arterial-phase hypervascularity and later washout(negative enhancement).Benign nodules such as regenerative nodules or dysplastic nodules are usually isoechoic or slightly hypoechoic in the arterial phase and isoechoic in the late phase.However,there are occasional HCC lesions with atypical enhancement including hypovascular HCC and hypervascular HCC without washout.Cholangiocarcinomas are infrequently detected during HCC surveillance and mostly show rimlike or diffuse hypervascularity followed by rapid washout.Hemangiomas are often found at HCC surveillance and are easily diagnosed by CEUS.CEUS can be effectively used in the diagnostic work-up of small nodules detected at HCC surveillance.CEUS is also useful to differentiate malignant and benign venous thrombosis and to guide and monitor the local ablation therapy for HCC.     

Diagnosis of hepatic nodules 20 mm or smaller in cirrhosis: Prospective validation of the noninvasive diagnostic criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma

This study prospectively evaluates the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of nodules 20 mm or smaller detected during ultrasound (US) surveillance. We included 89 patients with cirrhosis [median age, 65 years; male 53, hepatitis C virus 68, Child-Pugh A 80] without prior hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in whom US detected a small solitary nodule (mean diameter, 14 mm). Hepatic MRI, CEUS, and fine-needle biopsy (gold standard) (FNB) were performed at baseline. Non-HCC cases were followed (median 23 months) by CEUS/3 months and MRI/6 months. FNB was repeated up to 3 times and on detection of change in aspect/size. Intense arterial contrast uptake followed by washout in the delayed/venous phase was registered as conclusive for HCC. Final diagnoses were: HCC (n = 60), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1), and benign lesions (regenerative/dysplastic nodule, hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia) (n = 28). Sex, cirrhosis cause, liver function, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were similar between HCC and non-HCC groups. HCC patients were older and their nodules significantly larger (P < 0.0001). First biopsy was positive in 42 of 60 HCC patients. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of conclusive profile were 61.7%, 96.6%, 97.4%, and 54.9%, for MRI, 51.7%, 93.1%, 93.9%, and 50.9%, for CEUS. Values for coincidental conclusive findings in both techniques were 33.3%, 100%, 100%, and 42%. Thus, diagnosis of HCC 20 mm or smaller can be established without a positive biopsy if both CEUS and MRI are conclusive. However, sensitivity of these noninvasive criteria is 33% and, as occurs with biopsy, absence of a conclusive pattern does not rule out malignancy. These results validate the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) guidelines.     

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of histologically proven small (≤20 mm) liver metastases

Objective: We analyzed contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features of histologically proved small (≤20?mm) liver metastases, in comparison to small (≤20?mm) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), to define the differentiate diagnoses value of CEUS in clinical practice.

Material and methods: Eighty-two cases of small (≤20?mm) liver metastases and 84 cases of small (≤20?mm) HCC were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had CEUS images. Two radiologists assessed CEUS enhancement pattern and time of enhancement in consensus. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v.19.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). The χ² test and the independent sample t-test were used to compare the differences.

Results: Comparing to small HCCs, rapid rim-like hyper-enhancement in arterial phase (56.1% in liver metastases vs. 2.3% in HCCs, p?<?.01), rapid wash-out and become hypo-enhancement in late arterial phase or early portal venous phase (96.4% in liver metastases vs. 22.6% in HCCs, p?<?.01) with central non-enhanced area in late phase were characteristic CEUS features of small metastases.

Conclusions: CEUS imaging enhancement findings reliably offer typical signs of small liver metastases, differentiate effectively with small HCCs. CEUS can help to improve the diagnostic confidence of small liver metastases.     

Added value of hepatobiliary phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk patients

AIM:To determine the added value of hepatobiliary phase(HBP)gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in evaluating hepatic nodules in high-risk patients.METHODS:The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and waived the requirement for informed consent.This study included 100 patients at high risk for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and 105hepatic nodules that were larger than 1 cm.A blind review of two MR image sets was performed in a random order:set 1,unenhanced(T1-and T2-weighted)and dynamic images;and set 2,unenhanced,dynamic20-min and HBP images.The diagnostic accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),and negative predictive value(NPV)were compared for the two image sets.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on the MR characteristics utilized to diagnose HCC.RESULTS:A total of 105 hepatic nodules were identified in 100 patients.Fifty-nine nodules were confirmed to be HCC.The diameter of the 59 HCCs ranged from1 to 12 cm(mean:1.9 cm).The remaining 46 nodules were benign(28 were of hepatocyte origin,nine were hepatic cysts,seven were hemangiomas,one was chronic inflammation,and one was focal fat infiltration).The diagnostic accuracy significantly increased with the addition of HBP images,from 88.7%in set 1to 95.5%in set 2(P=0.002).In set 1 vs set 2,the sensitivity and NPV increased from 79.7%to 93.2%and from 78.9%to 91.8%,respectively,whereas the specificity and PPV were not significantly different.The hypointensity on the HBP images was the most sensitive(93.2%),and typical arterial enhancement followed by washout was the most specific(97.8%).The multivariate analysis revealed that typical arterial enhancement followed by washout,hyperintensity on T2-weighted images,and hypointensity on HBP images were statistically significant MRI findings that could diagnose HCC(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The addition of HBP gadoxetic acidenhanced MRI statistically improved the diagnostic accuracy in HCCs larger than 1 cm.Typical arterial enhancement followed     

How to characterize non-hypervascular hepatic nodules on contrast-enhanced computed tomography in chronic liver disease: feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with a microbubble contrast agent

Background and Aim: Although hypervascular appearance is characteristic in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatic nodules without hypervascular appearance are sometimes found in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). The aim of the present study was to clarify the efficacy of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with Levovist to characterize small, non‐hypervascular hepatic nodules on contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in patients with CLD. Methods: The subject was 41 hepatic nodules (<30 mm, 18.5 ± 5.6 mm) which showed non‐hypervascular appearance on CECT in 35 patients with CLD; their histological results were 31 HCC (15 well, 14 moderate, and two poor) and 10 regenerative nodules (RN). CEUS with Levovist was performed under intermittent scanning (1‐s interval) using APLIO at the early phase and the liver‐specific phase, and the contrast enhancement of the nodule was assessed in comparison to that of the surrounding liver parenchyma. The contrast‐enhanced findings with the time‐intensity analysis were compared with the histological results. Results: Twelve nodules with weak enhancement in the liver‐specific phase were HCC, regardless of their early‐phase appearances. The other 29 nodules with equivalent or weak enhancement in the early phase and equivalent enhancement in the liver‐specific phase were 19 HCC and 10 RN. Among them, the maximum‐intensity ratio of tumor to non‐tumor in the early phase was significantly higher in HCC than in RN (P < 0.01, n = 16), and the receiver‐operating characteristic analysis showed a sensitivity of 1.0 and a specificity of 0.83 for their characterization. Conclusion: CEUS with Levovist may be an alternative to biopsy to characterize small, non‐hypervascular hepatic nodules on CECT in patients with CLD.     

Enhanced glypican-3 expression differentiates the majority of hepatocellular carcinomas from benign hepatic disorders

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumour worldwide, and its differential diagnosis from benign lesions of the liver is often difficult yet of great clinical importance. In the present study, we analysed whether glypican-3 is useful in differentiating between benign and malignant liver diseases and whether it influences the growth behaviour of HCC. METHODS: Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridisation. RESULTS: Northern blot analysis indicated that expression of glypican-3 mRNA was either low or absent in normal liver, in focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), and in liver cirrhosis. In contrast, expression of glypican-3 mRNA was markedly increased in 20 of 30 and moderately increased in five of 30 HCC samples. The average increase in glypican-3 mRNA expression in HCC was significant compared with expression in normal liver (21.7-fold increase, p<0.01). In comparison with FNH or liver cirrhosis, glypican-3 mRNA expression in HCC was increased 7.2- (p<0.05) and 10.8-fold (p<0.01), respectively. In addition, pushing HCCs exhibited significantly higher glypican-3 mRNA expression than invading tumours (p<0.05). In situ hybridisation analysis demonstrated weak expression of glypican-3 mRNA in normal hepatocytes and bile ductular cells, and weak to occasionally moderate signals in hepatocytes forming nodules of liver cirrhosis and in regenerated hepatic nodules of FNH. In contrast, glypican-3 in situ hybridisation signals were intense in hepatic cancer cells with even higher levels in pushing HCCs than in invading HCCs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that glypican-3, in many cases, has the potential to differentiate between benign and malignant liver diseases.     

Ring-shaped appearance in liver-specific image with Levovist: a characteristic enhancement pattern for hypervascular benign nodule in the liver of heavy drinkers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim was to clarify the features of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with Levovist for diagnosis of hypervascular benign nodules in the liver of heavy drinkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven heavy drinkers with hypervascular nodules in the liver were studied. Findings of CEUS with Levovist (wide-band Doppler, 7/7), contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT, 7/7) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 5/7) were compared for one nodule in each patient. RESULTS: Diagnosis of all seven nodules on CECT was HCC, whereas pathological results were HCC for four nodules and benign lesion for three nodules. The former four showed compatible findings for HCC on CEUS (4/4) and MRI (2/4). However, the latter three showed characteristic liver-specific sonograms with a ring-shaped appearance--peripheral enhancement with a central non-enhanced area. Two of the three nodules showed decreased signal-intensity in the periphery on SPIO-enhanced MRI. CONCLUSIONS: The ring-shaped appearance on liver-specific sonograms with Levovist may be a useful sign for the differential diagnosis of hypervascular benign nodule from HCC in heavy drinkers.     

超声造影在肝硬化再生结节与肝细胞性肝癌鉴别诊断中的应用

目的探讨超声造影（CEUS）在肝细胞性肝癌（HCC）与肝硬化再生结节诊断和鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法对46例肝硬化背景的58个局灶性病变进行超声造影检查并观察其动脉相、门脉相和实质相的动态造影变化,对不同性质病变的造影特点进行分析总结,并与穿刺病理诊断结果进行比较。结果肝细胞性肝癌患者中92.86%（13/14）的病灶具有造影剂的快进快出及85.71%（12/14）的病灶具有动脉相均匀性或非均匀性充填整个肿块的特点,超声造影剂在肝细胞性肝癌中的快进快出即动脉相快速增强,门脉相和实质相快速消退。结论超声造影在肝硬化与肝细胞性肝癌肝脏内局灶性异常回声的检查及鉴别诊断中具有重要的临床意义和应用价值。     

Accuracy and disagreement of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma and dysplastic nodules: role of biopsy

Liver macronodules, ranging from benign to low-grade or high-grade dysplastic nodules (LGDNs/HGDNs) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), may develop during chronic liver diseases (CLDs). Current guidelines were recently updated and the noninvasive criteria for the diagnosis of small HCC are based on a single typical radiological pattern and nonconclusive coincidental findings with two techniques. This study aimed to assess the accuracy and disagreements of noninvasive multiphasic examinations for the diagnosis of HCC and dysplastic nodules (DNs) and the role of biopsy. Seventy-four consecutive patients with CLD with ultrasound-detected 1-2-cm nodules underwent, within 1 month, multiphasic computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and biopsy of the nodule. Median age was 60 years; 33 patients (45%) had hepatitis C virus, 20 (27%) had hepatitis B virus, and 13 (18%) patients had no cirrhosis. Biopsy revealed 47 HCCs, 6 HGDNs, 1 LGDNs, 1 cholangiocarcinoma, and 1 epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. There were no tumors in the other 18 patients. All patients (31 of 31; 100%) who had conclusive coincidental findings (i.e., arterial enhancement and washout) on both examinations had HCC or HGDN (sensitivity, 57%; specificity, 100%). All patients (51 of 51; 100%) who had conclusive findings on at least one of the two examinations had HCC or HGDN (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 100%). There was a disagreement regarding imaging findings between CT and MRI in 21 of 74 (28%) patients and no washout on both examinations in 23 of 74 patients (31%). In these 44 patients, liver biopsy provided an initial accurate diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The noninvasive diagnosis of HCC or HGDN can be obtained if arterial enhancement and washout are found in a single dynamic imaging examination. These findings are frequently discordant on both CT and MRI, supporting the place of biopsy for the diagnosis of small HCCs.     

超声造影灌注时相分析在肝硬化背景下对肝脏增生结节的诊断价值

目的 探讨超声造影(CEUS)灌注时相分析在肝硬化背景下对肝脏增生结节的诊断价值.方法 2017年6月～2020年6月我院诊治的肝硬化患者100例,均接受CEUS检查,获得超声造影定量参数,包括造影峰值强度(Peak)、达峰时间(TTP)和平均度越时间(MTT),记录两组局部血容量(RBV)和局部血流量(RBF)水平....     

Improved diagnosis of well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and Sonazoid contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography

Aim: Two new imaging modalities have been developed recently that are directed at the focal liver lesions: gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Sonazoid contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). We investigated the usefulness of these modalities for the diagnosis of small (<2 cm), well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 15 nodules from 13 patients, which were histologically diagnosed as well‐differentiated HCC, were subjected to this study. Lesions that showed hypervascularity in the arterial phase and washout in the portal or late non‐hemodynamic phase were regarded as HCC in the dynamic studies of all imaging modalities. Results: By multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), six of 15 (40%) nodules were diagnosed as HCC. Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI diagnosed HCC in nine of the 15 (60%) nodules. Of the nine nodules that were not diagnosed by MDCT, four could be diagnosed by Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI. In Sonazoid CEUS, 10 of 15 nodules (67%) were diagnosed as HCC. Four of nine nodules that could not be diagnosed as HCC by MDCT, were diagnosed by Sonazoid CEUS. A total of 11 of the 15 (73%) nodules were diagnosed as HCC by Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI and Sonazoid CEUS in addition to MDCT. Conclusion: Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI and Sonazoid CEUS had greater diagnostic value for small, well‐differentiated HCC than did conventional MDCT.     

Assessment of hemodynamics in precancerous lesion of hepatocellular carcinoma： Evaluation with MR perfusion

AIM: To investigate the hemodynamic changes in a precancerous lesion model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Hemodynamic changes in 18 Wistar rats were studied with non-invasive magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion. The changes induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) developed into liver nodular lesions due to hepatic cirrhosis during the progression of carcinogenesis. The MR perfusion data [positive enhancement integral (PEI)] were compared between the nodular lesions corresponding well with MR images and pathology and their surrounding hepatic parenchyma. RESULTS: A total of 46 nodules were located by MR imaging and autopsy, including 22 dysplastic nodules (DN), 9 regenerative nodules (RN), 10 early HCCs and 5 overt HCCs. Among the 22 DNs, 6 were low-grade DN (lGDN) and 16 were high-grade DN (HGDN). The average PEI of RN, DN, early and overt HCC was 205.67 ± 31.17, 161.94 ± 20.74, 226.09 ± 34.83, 491.86 ± 44.61 respectively, and their liver parenchyma nearby was 204.84 ± 70.19. Comparison of the blood perfusion index between each RN and its surrounding hepatic parenchyma showed no statistically significant difference (P = 0.06). There were significant differences in DN (P = 0.02). During the late hepatic arterial phase, the perfusion curve in DN declined. DN had an iso-signal intensity at the early hepatic arterial phase and a low signal intensity at the portal venous phase. Of the 10early HCCs, 4 demonstrated less blood perfusion and 6 displayed minimally increased blood flow compared to the surrounding parenchyma. Five HCCs showed significantly increased blood supply compared to the surrounding parenchyma (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Non-invasive MR perfusion can detect changes in blood supply of precancerous lesions.     

Adult cirrhotic liver explants: Precancerous lesions and undetected small hepatocellular carcinomas

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Despite recent advances in imaging techniques of the liver, it remains difficult to detect small precancerous lesions or hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in cirrhotic livers. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of undetected small HCCs in liver explants of adult cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation and to evaluate the association of HCCs with hepatic lesions considered premalignant. METHODS: Eighty consecutive liver explants were analyzed for the presence of macroscopically atypical nodules, which were then pathologically described as macroregenerative nodules, high-grade dysplastic nodules, areas of small liver cell dysplasia, and HCCs. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCC was 17.5% with a mean size of 11.6 mm. HCCs were more frequently found in men (22%) than in women (4.8%; P < 0.05) and in patients older than 50 years at the time of liver transplantation (35.7% vs. 7.7% in patients younger than 50 years; P < 0.05). The prevalence of HCCs was identical in alcoholic and viral cirrhosis. HCC nodules were significantly associated with the presence of high-grade dysplastic nodules. CONCLUSIONS: Small HCCs and precancerous lesions are frequently found in cirrhotic liver explants, especially in men older than 50 years. This finding should be included in the decision-making analysis for liver transplantation. (Gastroenterology 1996 Dec;111(6):1587-92)     

The role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound on the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (

Min Hua Chen  Ying Dai  Kun Yan  Zhi Hui Fan  Shan Shan Yin  Wei Yang  Wei Wu  Yan Bin Wang  Ji You Li 《Hepatology research》2006,35(4):281-288

1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography with microbubble contrast agent improves characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the usefulness of 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography with the use of the contrast agent Levovist for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and for the evaluation of therapeutic response. METHODS: Phantom experiments were performed to compare the contrast effects of 2nd harmonic imaging and 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography. 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography was employed to examine 36 patients with HCC (42 nodules) before and after the treatment and to compare against the findings obtained using other diagnostic imaging modalities. RESULTS: In 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography, the tumor vessels of HCCs were clearly identified during the early phase, and late-phase images clearly demonstrated the differences in contrast enhancement between the tumor and surrounding hepatic parenchyma. Blood flow within the tumor was detected in 36 nodules (85.7%) during the early phase and in all 42 nodules (100%) during the late phase using 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography, in 38 nodules (90.5%) using contrast-enhanced CT, in 34 nodules (81.0%) using digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and in 42 nodules (100%) using US CO2angiography. Following transcatheter arterial embolization, 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography detected blood flow and contrast enhancement within the tumors that were judged to contain viable tissue in 20 of 42 nodules (47.6%). However, 6 of these 20 cases were not judged in contrast-enhanced CT. 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography was compared with the US CO2 angiography findings as the gold standard, and the sensitivity and specificity of these images for discerning viable and nonviable HCC after transcatheter arterial embolization were 100% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography permits the vascular structures of HCCs to be identified and blood flow within the tumor to be clearly demonstrated. Furthermore, 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography is potentially useful for evaluating the therapeutic effects of transcatheter arterial embolization on HCC.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma 20 mm or smaller in cirrhosis patients: early magnetic resonance enhancement by gadoxetic acid compared with gadopentetate dimeglumine

Purpose

To evaluate the differences in enhancement pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 20 mm or smaller and enhancement effects of hepatic vessels on early dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained with gadoxetic acid and gadopentetate dimeglumine in the same patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

We reviewed MR images using gadoxetic acid and gadopentetate dimeglumine in the same 34 patients with 42 histologically confirmed HCCs (median diameter, 14.5 mm). The percentage enhancements (PEs) of HCC, the hepatic artery and portal vein and relative contrasts (RCs) between HCC and the liver were calculated and analyzed statistically.

Results

The PEs of HCC, the hepatic artery and portal vein were significantly lower for gadoxetic acid in comparison with gadopentetate dimeglumine in the arterial phase (p = 0.0256 for HCC, p < 0.0001 for hepatic artery) and portal phase (p < 0.0001 for HCC, portal vein). The RC between HCC and the liver was significantly lower for gadoxetic acid in comparison with gadopentetate dimeglumine in the arterial phase (p = 0.0422), but was not significantly different in the portal phase (p = 0.1133). Forty-one of the 42 (97.62 %) nodules showed arterial hypervascularization. Of these, 31 (75.61 %) nodules were hypointense in the portal phase for gadoxetic acid, and 22 (53.66 %) were hypointense for gadopentetate dimeglumine (p = 0.038).

Conclusions

Compared with gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI demonstrated a different enhancement pattern of inferior arterial enhancement and was more rapidly hypointense in the portal phase for HCC. It showed markedly lower enhancement for hepatic artery and portal vein in the patients with cirrhosis.     

Early Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma Detected during Intraoperative Ultrasonography

Objectives: Recently, it has been recognized that there are increasing incidences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) multicentricity. Thus, intraoperatively detected hepatic lesions that were once thought to be metastatic lesions now need to be carefully reexamined to determine whether they are true metastatic lesions or the multicentric development of HCC. Methods: We investigated the histological characteristics of small nodular lesions detected during intraoperative ultrasonography in 33 consecutive patients with small HCC wbo underwent laparotomy at our institution. Results: Fourteen nodular lesions were found incidentally in 10 of 33 patients (30.3%), and were classified into tbe following three groups: 11 nodules in nine patients (27.3%) were HCC, two nodules in two patients (6.1%) were hemangioma, and one nodule in one patient (3.0%) was a large regenerative nodule. HCC therefore comprised 78.6% of tbe intraoperatively detected nodular lesions. Of the 11 HCCs, six were hyperechoic, four were hypoechoic, and one was isoechoic. Five (83.3%) of six small hyperechoic HCCs and two (50.0%) of four hypoechoic HCCs were well differentiated and retained their preexisting liver structure. Tbese findings closely coincide with the characteristics of early stage HCC. Thus, early stage HCC comprised 63.6% of tbe intraoperatively detected HCC cases. Conclusions: A certain proportion of small satellite HCCs detected during intraoperative ultrasonography in patients with small HCC, which were previously thought to be metastatic lesions from tbe main HCC, may instead he early stage HCCs. Such findings would also support the concept of the multicentric development of HCC. Approximately 60% of all small HCC cases detected intraoperatively may be early stage HCC. As a result, it is predicted that the emergence of HCC is either multicentric or unicentric, with early intrabepatic spread, altbough the former seems to be more common.     

Usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

The identification of bleeding sites of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is important for immediate treatment. We experienced a case of ruptured HCC readily treated with transarterial embolization (TAE) after identification of the bleeding site using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Sonazoid. We report the case of a 61-year-old male with multiple HCCs caused by alcohol-related cirrhosis, who was admitted for rapid development of abdominal fullness. The diagnosis was established by hemorrhagic ascites by abdominal paracentesis. No clear extravasation was found on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. CEUS using the re-injection method in the post-vascular phase showed active bleeding from a lesion close to the S5 gallbladder bed. Abdominal angiography was urgently performed. Based on CEUS findings, selective cannulation of the cystic artery was performed. Cystic angiography findings with carbon dioxide showed extravasation. He was treated by TAE. Our case had multiple HCCs, but CEUS was useful for the identification of bleeding sites.