The usefulness of digital subtraction imaging with Levovist in the diagnosis of focal hepatic tumors

This study was designed to evaluate digital subtraction imaging (DSI) with Levovist in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic hemangioma. The subjects in this study were 70 patients with 76 nodules of hepatic tumors (48 nodules in 46 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 20 nodules in 16 cases of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, and 8 nodules in 8 cases of hepatic hemangioma). Contrast enhancement of tumors acquired in the early, portal, and late phases with DSI were compared to classify the tumors. DSI of HCC showed contrast enhancement of 40 nodules (82.2%). High contrast enhancement in the early phase, which was maintained in the portal phase, changed to images with no contrast enhancement with partial persistence of contrast enhancement in the late phase. DSI of metastatic hepatic carcinomas demonstrated contrast enhancement of tumor of 18 nodules (90%) to a high degree in the early and portal phases, which changed to images with no contrast enhancement in the late phases. DSI of hepatic hemangioma maintained high contrast enhancement on tumor margins of 5 nodules (62.5%) and on the entire tumor of 3 nodules (37.5%) in the early, portal, and late phases. DSI of hepatic tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic hemangioma) provided characteristic findings of contrast enhancement in the early, portal, and late phases, and contribute to differential diagnosis.     

Corona enhancement in ultrasonographical post-vascular phase images with microbubble contrast agent: a novel specific sign for hepatocellular carcinomas

In 1.5 Harmonic Imaging ultrasonography (1.5 HI US), images are obtained in a band intermediate between the fundamental and 2nd harmonic components, resulting in stronger contrast enhancement than in conventional harmonic imaging. We attempted to assess the hemodynamics of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) with special attention to blood drainage using 1.5 HI US. Forty-two HCC nodules, metastatic liver tumors and hepatic hemangiomas were studied. In contrast studies, intermittent ultrasound transmission was performed for a period of up to 45 sec after the injection of contrast agent, which was regarded as the vascular phase. The time point of 5 min later was specified as the post-vascular phase, and images were obtained by single manual transmission for comparison of contrast enhancement with surrounding hepatic parenchyma. In addition, histological examination was performed. 1.5 HI US clearly demonstrated the strong tumor vessels in most HCCs. Corona enhancement, in which the areas surrounding the tumor are enhanced, was observed in 71.4% (30/42) of HCC nodules during the post-vascular phase. This sign was not observed in any other tumors. Histological findings revealed that CD34-positive-endothelial cells were prominent in the surrounding area of HCC. In conclusion, 1.5 HI US is an effective tool for evaluating hemodynamics in both early- and post-vascular phase. Corona enhancement may be due to the trapping of contrast agent in the endothelial cells in the surround of HCC nodules and be a novel specific sign for HCC.     

Usefulness of digital subtraction imaging with Levovist in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinomas

To classify hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the findings of digital subtraction imaging (DSI) and to compare DSI against other diagnostic imaging modalities to assess its reliability DSI was performed in 68 patients with HCC (72 nodules) and the enhancement patterns of blood flow in the tumor were assessed during the early phase, the portal phase and the late phase. In addition, the findings obtained by DSI were compared with those obtained by helical CT, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), CO2 angiography and CT during arterial portography (CTAP). Of the 72 nodules, blood flow was detected in 64 (88.9%) by early-phase DSI, in 61 (84.7%) by helical CT, in 62 (86.1%) by DSA and in 67 (93.1%) by CO2 angiography. Early-phase DSI did not demonstrate hypervascular enhancement in 8 HCC nodules (16.7%). These included 5 nodules in which other diagnostic imaging modalities also failed to identify tumor blood vessels and 3 nodules located in deep regions 87.5 mm or more from the body surface. With regard to these 5 nodules (10.4%) in which tumor vessels were not visualized during the early phase, late-phase DSI demonstrated relatively poor enhancement compared with normal hepatic parenchyma. Such late-phase defects in tumor enhancement were observed in 69 nodules (95.8%). DSI demonstrated characteristic findings of HCC enhancement during the early phase, the portal phase and the late phase, permitting classification of HCC to be performed.     

超声造影在肝脏良恶性占位病变诊断中的应用价值

目的：探讨实时超声造影对腹部良恶性占位病变的诊断价值。方法：对207例肝脏占位性病变进行实时超声造影研究,所有病例均经手术或其它影像学检查方法证实。结果：92例肝细胞性肝癌中71例表现为典型“快进快退”,8例表现为“快进慢退”,9例表现为“慢进快退”,4例表现为“慢进慢出”;29例转移性肝癌病灶分为少血供转移癌组13例,表现为动脉相呈环形高增强,门脉相及延迟相呈低增强;多血管转移癌组16例表现为动脉相呈完全高增强,门脉相及延迟相呈低增强。37例肝血管瘤中25个动脉相表现为向心性环形结节状高增强;局造性结节增生表现为中央扩散型快速整体增强,部分病例显示为轮辐状高增强;肝硬化增生结节的造影增强特征与肝实质一致。结论：实时超声造影能显示肿瘤内微小血管的血流灌注情况,对肝脏良恶性占位病变的定性诊断具有重要的参考价值。     

富血供肝转移瘤的MRI表现和特点

背景与目的：肝脏是血源性转移癌最好发的器官，正确判断富血供肝转移瘤具有重要的临床价值，本研究探讨富血供肝转移瘤的MRI特征。方法：回顾性分析122例有明确原发肿瘤病史并伴有肝脏转移的病例。根据强化程度，当病灶显示出明显的早期强化（强化程度与胰腺或肾皮质相仿）时，肝转移瘤被认为是富血供的，据此，共有31例符合人选标准，其中男性8例，女性23例，年龄29～77岁，平均年龄51．9岁。所有31例均行上腹部MRI检查（采用1．5T超导MR扫描仪），扫描序列包括T2WIFSE序列，T1WISPGR序列（用于增强前后扫描）。对比剂为钆喷酸葡胺注射液（Gd—DTPA），注射剂量为0．1mmol/kg，注射速率为2ml／s，注射后行Ⅲ期扫描，扫描时间分别为：20、45、90S。所有MR图像由两位有经验的放射科高年主治医师分析并达成一致。结果：31例患者共发现239个肝转移灶，分布于两叶，无特别好发肝段。其中21例转移灶为多发，其余10例为单发转移灶。病灶小于9．5cm。MR图像显示所有病灶于T1WI均为低信号。在T2WI图像上，127个病灶（53％）显示为中等高信号，65个病灶（27％）为中等高信号伴病灶中央更高信号区。增强动脉期显示183个病灶（77％）呈明显的边缘强化，41个病灶（17％）呈弥漫均匀的结节样强化，15个病灶（6％）呈弥漫不均匀强化。增强门脉期，131个病灶表现为与动脉期相仿的强化方式与程度，其中33个病灶表现为较动脉期稍增厚的强化环。结论：根据富血供肝转移瘤的主要特征．大多数病灶可以和肝脏其他富血供病变（如HCC．血管瘤，FNH等）能正确鉴别。     

中晚期肝癌动脉早期MSCT血管造影

目的探讨多层螺旋CT肝脏动脉早期扫描CT血管造影(MSCTA)在中晚期肝癌的临床应用价值。方法63例临床确诊的中晚期肝癌病例,用Trigger Bolus对比剂示踪软件行自动触发全肝动脉早、晚期(一次屏气完成)和门脉期扫描,动脉早期图像数据经后处理获得肝脏cT血管造影图像。分析肝脏及癌肿血供系统MSCTA表现,以及静脉癌栓、动静脉瘘的MSCTA表现。结果动脉早期扫描MSCTA能完整显示中晚期肝癌肝脏及癌肿供血动脉起源、形态、数目,显示动静脉瘘征象优于标准肝脏双期扫描。结论动脉早期扫描MSCTA在中晚期肝癌具有良好的临床应用前景,可作为中晚期肝癌治疗前进行综合评估的影像学检查方法。     

中晚期肝癌动脉早期MSCT血管造影(英文)

目的探讨多层螺旋 CT 肝脏动脉早期扫描 CT 血管造影(MSCTA)在中晚期肝癌的临床应用价值。方法 63例临床确诊的中晚期肝癌病例,用 Trigger Bolus 对比剂示踪软件行自动触发全肝动脉早、晚期(一次屏气完成)和门脉期扫描,动脉早期图像数据经后处理获得肝脏 CT 血管造影图像。分析肝脏及癌肿血供系统 MSCTA 表现,以及静脉癌栓、动静脉瘘的MSCTA 表现。结果动脉早期扫描 MSCTA 能完整显示中晚期肝癌肝脏及癌肿供血动脉起源、形态、数目,显示动静脉瘘征象优于标准肝脏双期扫描。结论动脉早期扫描 MSCTA 在中晚期肝癌具有良好的临床应用前景,可作为中晚期肝癌治疗前进行综合评估的影像学检查方法。     

MRI、DSA和碘油CT联合应用对肝硬化结节癌变的诊断价值

背景与目的:肝硬化结节癌变是肝硬化转变成为肝癌的必经阶段,早期发现和早期干预对提高患者的生存率具有重要意义。本研究探讨联合应用MRI、DSA和碘油CT对肝硬化结节癌变诊断价值,旨在早期发现肝硬化结节癌变。方法:收集经病理证实的肝硬化癌变病例18例,所有患者均行MRI、DSA和和碘油CT检查,分析MRI、DSA和碘油CT对肝硬化结节恶变的诊断价值。结果:18例患者中共有31个病灶,其中MRI发现病灶29个,肿瘤病灶T1WI呈低信号12个,高信号9个,等信号8个;T2WI呈稍高信号20个,等信号9个;DWI呈高信号23个;三期动态增强扫描呈"快进快出"共18个,"快进慢出"3个,持续强化3个;另有5个病灶因T1WI呈高信号,强化表现观察不满意。DSA发现27个病灶,表现为肿瘤血管生成、血管扭曲、血供增多、肿瘤染色;2周后复查碘油CT,31个病灶均有碘油沉积。结论:MRI、DSA和碘油CT联合应用能提高肝硬化结节癌变的诊断准确性,从而早期发现肝硬化结节癌变。     

超声造影在肝局灶性结节增生诊断和鉴别诊断中的价值

[目的]探讨超声造影在肝局灶性结节增生（FNH）的诊断以及与原发性肝癌（PHC）鉴别诊断中的价值。[方法]经病理学检查证实的原发性肝癌22例和肝局灶性结节增生病变16例,采用GE-LOGIQ9彩色多普勒系统,具有CPS（contrast pulse sequence）造影专用程序和造影剂Sonovue进行超声造影成像,造影时记录肝实质及病灶的充填过程、充盈方式及增强程度。[结果]22例原发性肝癌的造影方式均呈典型的快进快退型。16例FNH在动脉期呈强回声,而门脉相呈等回声。在延迟相,15/16例（94%）FNH病灶呈等回声或稍高回声,1/16例（6%）较肝实质回声稍低;11/16例（69%）病灶在门脉和延迟相可见中央瘢痕。[结论]超声造影能清楚显示肝局灶性结节增生和原发性肝癌的造影充填过程及充填方式,在两者的诊断和鉴别诊断中具有重要意义。     

A Case of Contiguous Primary Hepatic Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma and Hemangioma Ultimately Diagnosed Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography

Primary hepatic marginal zone B-cell malignant lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is extremely rare. We present a case in which a lesion was diagnosed as 2 contiguous tumors (MALT lymphoma and hemangioma) using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US) with sonazoid. There has been no previous case of contiguous hepatic MALT lymphoma and hemangioma. The present case was a female with no medical history. We detected a snowman-like appearance, which was a tumor of 15 mm in diameter with hypo- and hyper-echogenicities in the lateral and medial parts, respectively, in the Couinaud''s segment (S6) of the liver on US. The tumor appeared as a single lesion with a low-density area in the unenhanced phase and prolonged enhancement in the equilibrium phases on dynamic CT. On MRI, the whole lesion showed a low-intensity signal on T1-weighted imaging, but isointensity in the lateral part and high intensity in the medial part were seen on T2-weighted imaging. On contrast-enhanced US, the lateral hypoechoic region was homogenously hyperenhanced in the early vascular phase, and the contrast medium was washed out after about 30 s; in contrast, the medial hyperechoic region was gradually stained from the margin toward the central region. The tumor showed a defect in both hypo- and hyperechoic regions in the postvascular phase. Hemangioma was suspected for the medial part based on the typical image findings, but the lateral part was not given a diagnosis. Thus, surgical resection was performed. The medial part was a hemangioma, and the lateral part was a MALT lymphoma by histopathological findings.Key Words: Primary hepatic malignant lymphoma, Malignant lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, Hemangioma, Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography     

纤维板层型肝癌的影像学表现

目的 观察纤维板层型肝癌（ＦＬ－ＨＣＣ）的影像学表现。方法 １１例ＦＬ－ＨＣ互病理证实。做超声波（ＤＳ）检查１０例,ＣＴ扫描１１例,ＭＲＩ８傲因管造影９例。结果 ＵＳ显示肿瘤呈高回声４例,混杂回声６例,４例有大小不一的囊性区,ＤｏｐｐｌｅｒＵＳ提示肿瘤实性部分血供丰富。ＣＴ显示肿瘤单发９例,多个结节融合２例,平扫均为低密度,７例肿块中心区见放射状更低密度区,病理检查为致密胶原瘢痕,４例见点状钙化,     

Delayed Tc-99m-PMT imaging in the specific diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

The results of Tc-99m-PMT imaging on 100 patients with various malignant and benign hepatic diseases verified histologically (73 hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 liver cell adenoma, 1 cholangiocarcinoma, 5 metastatic liver carcinoma, 2 liver cyst, 12 hemangioma, 1 fatty degeneration, 1 liver regeneration, 1 postoperative liver fibrosis and 1 liver cirrhosis) are reported. All lesions appeared as decreased radioactivity or "cold" defect region on early Tc-99m-PMT imaging, rendering it valuable for the diagnosis of tumor localization. In 92 (95.8%) of the 96 patients with various hepatic tumors and 25 (86.2%) of the 29 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (less than 5 cm), the tumors were localized by early Tc-99m-PMT imaging. In 14 of the 73 patients with established hepatocellular carcinoma, the tumors gave greater radioactivity than that of the surrounding liver tissues, whereas in 31 patients the radioactivity of the tumor equalled the normal liver on delayed Tc-99m-PMT imaging (positive rate 61.6%). There was no significant difference between the positive rates of serum AFP level and the tumor size shown by delayed Tc-99m-PMT imaging in hepatocellular carcinomas. The radioactivity in 3 liver cell adenoma patients was similar to the gallbladder. No false positive result was seen in the other malignant and benign hepatic tumors. This study indicates that delayed Tc-99m-PMT imaging is highly specific in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

4D-CT imaging with synchronized intravenous contrast injection to improve delineation of liver tumors for treatment planning.

We have developed a tumor-specific protocol for the 4D-CT imaging of liver tumors using synchronized intravenous (IV) contrast injection to improve the accuracy of tumor delineation for treatment planning. Most liver metastases and cholangiocarcinomas can be imaged in the portal venous phase, while hepatocellular carcinomas are most visible in the delayed phase. Combined 4D-CT imaging with synchronized IV contrast allows for both enhancement of tumor contrast and coverage over the entire breathing cycle.     

Ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma: toward improved treatment decisions

Detection, characterization, staging, and treatment monitoring are major roles in imaging diagnosis in liver cancers. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using microbubble contrast agents has expanded the role of US in the detection and diagnosis of liver nodules in patients at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CEUS provides an accurate differentiation between benign and malignant liver nodules, which is critical for adequate management of HCC and is also useful for guidance of percutaneous local therapy of HCC and postprocedure monitoring of the therapeutic response. The technology of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has increased spatial and temporal resolutions of computed tomography (CT). It has made possible a more precise evaluation of the hemodynamics of liver tumor, and the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic MDCT has improved. Perfusion CT can measure tissue perfusion parameters quantitatively and can assess segmental hepatic function. Dynamic MDCT with high spatial and temporal resolution enables us to reconstruct 3- and 4-dimensional imaging, which is very useful for pretreatment evaluation. Dual-energy CT makes possible the differentiation of materials and tissues in images obtained based on the differences in iodine and water densities. Monochromatic images, which can be reconstructed by dual-energy CT data, provide some improvement in contrast and show a higher contrast-to-noise ratio for hypervascular HCCs. Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging with fast imaging sequence of 3-dimensional Fourier transformation T(1)-weighted gradient echo and nonspecific contrast medium can show high detection sensitivity of hypervascular HCC. However, the hepatic tissue-specific contrast medium, gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, has become an essential contrast medium for liver imaging because of its higher diagnostic ability. It may replace CT during hepatic arteriography and during arterioportography.     

Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma using digital subtraction imaging with the contrast agent,Levovist: comparison with helical CT,digital subtraction angiography,and US angiography

Digital subtraction imaging was compared to helical CT, DSA, and US angiography to assess its usefulness in the evaluation of vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Digital subtraction imaging using Levovist as the contrast agent was performed in 41 patients with 43 nodules (22 men and 19 women, aged 50 to 83 years; mean age, 65 years; mean maximum tumor diameter, 27.8+/-17.1 mm). Digital subtraction imaging showed hypervascular enhancement in 39 of the 43 nodules (91%). Helical CT showed areas of high attenuation in 40 of the 43 nodules (93%), while DSA and US angiography showed positive enhancement in 38 and 43 of the 43 nodules (88% and 100%), respectively. Digital subtraction imaging is useful for evaluating vascularity in HCC when the tumor can be visualized with non-enhanced US angiography.     

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosis ot focal liver lesions

Objective： By observing the pattern of the focal liver lesions （FLL） in different phases by real time contrast-enhanced ultrasound （CEUS）, compared to enhanced CT, investigate the value of CEUS in diagnosing focal liver lesions. Meth. ods： 35 patients with unconfirmed focal liver lesions were studied by contrast agent SonoVue and Technos DU 8 produced by Esaote company. Results： Among the 14 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, 10 were typical, presented with early artery enhancement and immediate wash-out. The enhancement patterns of 6 livers metastasis were diverse, including peripheral or entire degree enhancement. The wash-out time in malignant tumors was eadier than other focal liver lesions （P 〈 0.05）, appeared as hypoechoic in the portal phase or parenchyma phase. The 6 cases of hemangioma were enhanced centripetally nodular in artery phase and washed out after several minutes. The patterns of different lesions were similar compared to contrast-enhanced CT, without significant statistic differences. Conclusion： The contrast enhanced ultrasound technique can significantly improved the value of diagnosing focal liver lesions.     

超声造影在肝脏局灶性病变诊断中的价值

Objective: By observing the pattern of the focal liver lesions (FLL) in different phases by real time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), compared to enhanced CT, investigate the value of CEUS in diagnosing focal liver lesions. Methods: 35 patients with unconfirmed focal liver lesions were studied by contrast agent SonoVue and Technos DU 8 produced by Esaote company. Results: Among the 14 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 10 were typical, presented with early artery enhancement and immediate wash-out. The enhancement patterns of 6 livers metastasis were diverse, including peripheral or entire degree enhancement. The wash-out time in malignant tumors was earlier than other focal liver lesions (P＜0.05), appeared as hypoechoic in the portal phase or parenchyma phase. The 6 cases of hemangioma were enhanced centripetally nodular in artery phase and washed out after several minutes. The pattems of different lesions were similar compared to contrast-enhanced CT, without significant statistic differences. Conclusion: The contrast enhanced ultrasound technique can significantly improved the value of diagnosing focal liver lesions.     

CT增强扫描在肝脏异常灌注和非典型血管瘤鉴别诊断中的应用

目的 对比分析肝脏异常灌注(HPD)和非典型血管瘤的CT增强扫描特点,提高CT增强扫描在二者鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 回顾性分析影像学诊断为HPD和病理诊断为血管瘤但是CT表现不典型的血管瘤病变的CT增强图像,观察两种痛变位置、形态、大小、密度和强化方式等.结果 40个HPD病灶和27个非典型血管瘤病灶位置无明显差异(P=0.761).HPD病灶形状、大小与非典型血管瘤具有一定差异,HPD形状、大小不一,而非典型血管瘤以类圆形为主,小于3 cm常见.HPD平扫和门脉期CT值低于非典型血管瘤,但是动脉期CT值稍高于非典型血管瘤,差异均具有统计学差异;HPD邻近部位肝实质动脉期CT值高于非典型血管瘤邻近正常肝组织,且差异具有统计学意义(P=0.001).HPD强化方式为动脉期单期强化为主,少数病灶为门脉期单期强化;但是非典型血管瘤以双期强化为主,部分病灶为单期强化,且二者强化方式具有统计学意义(P =0.000).结论 HPD和非典型血管瘤的CT表现具有一定的差异,可通过增强CT进行二者的鉴别.     

Clinical effectiveness of intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) for liver metastases and prediction of effectiveness by diagnostic imaging]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) for liver metastases and the possibility of predicting the effectiveness of the chemotherapy by pretreatment diagnostic imaging. The subjects were 67 patients with metastatic liver cancer, treated with Seldinger method via the left brachial artery, and tumor selective hepatic injection using a micro-catheter. The early response rate was 38.7% for colorectal cancer, 42.8% for gastric cancer, 16.7% for bile tract cancer and 80% for uterine cancer. The relationship between effectiveness and the tumor occupation rate in the liver estimated from pretreatment CT images was not significant, but the degree of tumor stain in the early phase of contrast enhancement CT correlated well with early responsiveness of the liver metastases for this treatment. This suggests the possibility of pretreatment prediction of the effectiveness of intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with DSM for metastatic liver tumors.