Focal Hypoechoic Tumors of Fatty Liver

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of focal hypoechoic tumors of fatty liver using conventional ultrasonography and contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Methods. Sixty‐four hypoechoic tumors of fatty liver in 52 patients were examined by both conventional ultrasonography and CEUS. Contrast pulse sequencing and a sulfur hexafluoride contrast agent were used for CEUS. The enhancement patterns were evaluated in real time. Results . Hypoechoic tumors of fatty liver showed posterior echo enhancement, including 71.4% (25 of 35) of hemangiomas, 73.3% (11 of 15) of metastases, and 50.0% (3 of 6) of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) on conventional ultrasonography. During the early arterial phase, 62.5% (5 of 8) of focal nodular hyperplasia lesions showed a central spoked wheel enhancement pattern, whereas the remaining 37.5% (3 of 8) showed eccentric spoked wheel enhancement. During the arterial phase, 97.1% (34 of 35) of hemangiomas showed peripheral enhancement and centripetal fill‐in, including ringlike peripheral enhancement (12 of 35), small nodular peripheral enhancement (19 of 35), and massive irregular peripheral enhancement (3 of 35). In total, 76.5% (26 of 34) of hemangiomas were completely filled in. All HCCs showed complete enhancement from 9 to 24 seconds during the arterial phase and began to wash out from 21 to 114 seconds. During the arterial phase, 40.0% (6 of 15) of metastases showed ringlike enhancement; 26.7% (4 of 15) showed slight hyperenhancement; 13.3% (2 of 15) showed hyperenhancement quickly; and the remaining 20.0% (3 of 15) showed heterogeneous hyperenhancement. All metastatic tumors began to wash out from 25 to 40 seconds. In total, 92.2% (59 of 64) of focal hypoechoic tumors of fatty liver were diagnosed as the correct pathologic type with CEUS. Conclusions. With CEUS, characterization of hypoechoic tumors of fatty liver is greatly improved.     

The Nodular Form of Hepatic Tuberculosis

Objective. The purposes of this study were to describe the ultrasonographic findings in hepatic tuberculosis (TB) after administration of a second‐generation sulfur hexafluoride–filled microbubble contrast agent and to correlate these findings with pathologic characteristics. Methods. Twenty‐four hepatic TB lesions in 15 patients were studied with conventional ultrasonography (CUS) and contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Pathologic characteristics of the lesions were evaluated and were then correlated with enhancement patterns. Results. The appearance of hepatic TB on CUS was variable and nonspecific with respect to the shape, echogenicity, and boundary of the lesions. The diameters of the lesions obtained from CEUS were statistically larger than those from CUS, with largest diameters ± SD of 4.2 ± 1.8 and 3.1 ± 1.9 cm, respectively. During the arterial phase, 13 of 24 lesions (54.2%) showed a rapidly and markedly enhanced rim with a hypoenhanced or nonenhanced center; 9 of 24 lesions (37.5%) showed transient enhancement of the whole lesion with inconsistent intensities. During the portal phase, most lesions showed distinct wash‐out of the contrast agent and maintained a hypoechoic appearance. Pathologic studies confirmed that the different appearances of hepatic TB on CEUS were related to the different pathologic stages of the lesions. Conclusions. Findings of hepatic TB on CEUS may be helpful in differentiating the diagnosis from other hepatic focal lesions. Correlation with pathologic findings would enrich the understanding of CEUS findings in hepatic TB.     

Hypoechoic focal liver lesions: characterization with contrast enhanced ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the late sinusoidal phase of contrast enhancement with a 2nd-generation ultrasound contrast enhanced medium in the characterization of hypoechoic focal liver lesions. METHODS: We studied 88 hypoechoic liver lesions (diameter range, 1-18 cm; with 18 lesions 2 cm or less) found on conventional grayscale sonography (US) with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Final diagnosis was made using contrast enhanced helical CT, contrast enhanced MR, angiography (DSA), and/or histopathic confirmation or clinical imaging follow-up. RESULTS: There were 37/88 benign lesions demonstrated: 17 cavernous hemangiomas, 3 capillary hemangiomas, 11 focal nodular hyperplasias (FNH), 3 focal areas of sparing in hepatic steatosis, 2 adenomas, and 1 intrahepatic necrotic area. Malignant lesions demonstrated included 51/88: 27 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in cirrhosis, 11 metastatic carcinomas, 10 metastatic endocrine tumors, 2 cholangiocellular carcinomas (CCC) and 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). CEUS characterized 30/37 (81%) benign lesions and 45/51 (88%) malignant lesions. On the basis of the results obtained during the sinusoidal contrast enhanced phase of CEUS, diagnosis of benignancy was possible in 35/37 (95%) of benign liver lesions and diagnosis of malignancy in 49/51 (96%) of malignant liver lesions. The enhancement pattern of 13 small (< or = 2 cm in diameter) hypervascular liver lesions (3 capillary hemangiomas, 2 FNHs, 4 HCCs, 4 metastatic endocrine tumors) was better demonstrated on CEUS than on helical CT. In these cases the hyper vascularization of the lesions shown on CEUS was not confirmed on CT. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS distinguished malignant from benign hypoechoic liver lesions with an accuracy of 95%.     

肝内胆管癌超声造影的增强特点

目的 探讨肝内胆管癌（ICC）超声造影的增强特点。 方法 13例ICC患者共13个病灶接受了超声造影检查（CEUS）。CEUS采用造影剂Sono Vue和低机械指数成像技术对比脉冲序列（CPS）。 结果 动脉期13个（100％）病灶呈不均匀增强。9个（69．2％）病灶为低增强，其中7个在周边见高回声的不规则环状增强。另外4个（30．8％）在动脉期显示为高（n=1）或等增强（n=3）。门静脉期全部病灶呈不均匀低增强，其中6个（46．2％）病灶低增强范围有所扩大。至延迟期全部病灶呈均匀低增强。 结论 ICC在CEUS各时相的增强模式具有特征性，对ICC的定性诊断可提供帮助。     

Contrast‐enhanced sonography in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas: Atypical appearance due to the washout of microbubbles

Contrast‐enhanced sonography (CEUS) examination permits identification of hemangioma of the liver in most cases. This method is particularly useful when the ultrasound pattern is atypical on standard grayscale examination. CEUS appearances suggestive of hemangioma are peripheral globular enhancement, progression of enhancement toward the center of the nodule, and persistence of enhancement in the late phase. We present seven cases of hemangioma, which were atypical on CEUS examination due to washout during the portal and late phases, resulting in a hypoenhanced appearance compared with the adjacent liver parenchyma. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 41 :361–365, 2013     

Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography in Patients With Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia and Adenomas

Objective. The purpose of this series was to evaluate the value of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the characterization of focal liver lesions (FLLs) in patients with glycogen storage diseases (GSDs). Methods. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonographic data obtained for characterization of 8 FLLs (size, 0.9–10.2 cm) in 2 patients with GSD type Ia (GSD‐Ia) and lesion growth or recurrent abdominal pain were reviewed and compared with computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. After total and left hepatectomy, pathologic examination confirmed benign adenomas in 6 of the evaluated lesions. Follow‐up confirmed benignity in the 2 remaining lesions. Results. In all FLLs, CEUS showed marked hypervascularity in the early arterial phase. Centripetal filling was shown in only 1 lesion, and diffuse enhancement without any clear direction was shown in all other lesions. During the portal and late phases, 6 of the 8 lesions showed sustained enhancement, including 2 lesions that appeared heterogeneous during all phases of CT and MRI. In an aspect of 1 of these 6 large adenomas, late wash‐out could be explained by sinusoid compression. The other 2 adenomas showed moderate wash‐out but remained homogeneous. Conclusions. Focal liver lesions found in patients with GSD‐Ia have similar patterns on CEUS compared with incidental adenomas. Global or partial hypoenhancement observed in the late phase did not indicate a transition to hepatocellular carcinoma but may have been related to ischemia.     

Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography With SonoVue

Objective. We investigated the ability of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography with SonoVue (Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy), a sulfur hexafluoride microbubble contrast agent, to reveal differences between benign and malignant focal splenic lesions. Methods. In a prospective study we investigated 35 lesions in 35 patients (24 male and 11 female; mean age ± SD, 54 ± 15 years) with focal splenic lesions detected by B‐mode ultrasonography. After intravenous injection of 1.2 to 2.4 mL of SonoVue, the spleen was examined continuously for 3 minutes using low–mechanical index ultrasonography with contrast‐specific software. The final diagnosis was established by histologic examination, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Results. In 14 patients, the splenic lesions were malignant (metastasis, n = 6; non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, n = 6; and Hodgkin lymphoma, n = 2). In 21 patients, the focal splenic lesions were benign (ischemic lesion, n = 6; echogenic cyst, n = 5; abscess, n = 4; hemangioma, n = 3; hematoma, n = 1; hemophagocytosis syndrome, n = 1; and splenoma, n = 1. Typical findings for benign lesions were 2 arrival patterns: no contrast enhancement (neither in the early nor in the parenchymal phase; P < .05) and the beginning of contrast enhancement in the early phase followed by contrast enhancement in the parenchymal phase 60 seconds after injection. In contrast, the combination of contrast enhancement in the early phase followed by rapid wash‐out and demarcation of the lesion without contrast enhancement in the parenchymal phase (60 seconds after injection) was typical for malignant lesions (P < .001). Conclusions. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography is helpful in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions of the spleen.     

Value of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography in Assessing the Vascularity of Liver Metastases

Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the capability of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonog‐raphy (CEUS) and contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in evaluating the vascularity of liver metastases. Methods. Both CEUS and CECT examinations were performed on 70 patients with liver metastases, which were from colon carcinoma in 31, rectal carcinoma in 17, pancreatic carcinoma in 5, and others in 17. In patients with multiple lesions, the most easily observed lesion was selected as the target lesion for evaluation of vascularity. Results. Peak enhancement of the target lesion during the arterial phase was characterized as hyperenhancement, isoenhancement, hypo‐enhancement, and nonenhancement in 61 (87.1%), 6 (8.6%), 3 (4.3%), and 0 (0%) patients on CEUS, respectively, and in 52 (74.3%), 8 (11.4%), 8 (11.4%), and 2 (2.9%) on CECT. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography showed more lesions with hyperenhancement than CECT (P < .01). The enhancement pattern during the arterial phase was homogeneous, inhomogeneous, and rimlike in 30 (42.9%), 16 (22.9%), and 24 (34.2%) patients on CEUS and in 13 (18.6%), 8 (11.4%), and 49 (70%) on CECT. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography revealed more lesions with homogeneous enhancement than CECT (P < .01). Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography showed dysmorphic vessels in 33 patients (47.1%) during the arterial phase, whereas CECT showed dysmorphic vessels in 27 (38.6%; P < .01). Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography showed hypervascular lesions in 58.6% of patients, whereas CECT showed hypervascular lesions in 12.9% (P < .01). Conclusions. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography was superior to CECT in assessing the vascularity of liver metastases.     

超声造影诊断复发性肝细胞肝癌的研究

目的探讨复发性肝癌在超声造影中的表现以提高其诊断准确性。方法对经病理证实的复发性肝细胞肝癌患者43例（49个病灶）进行实时灰阶谐波超声造影检查,观察病灶的造影时相及回声改变。结果43例49个病灶在动脉期均整体增强,开始增强时间为（16．2±4．5）s,达峰时间为（21．8±5．3）s,出现低回声时间为（106．7±50．9）s。门脉期出现低回声灶31个,延迟期出现低回声灶46个,门脉期和延迟期始终呈等回声灶3个。如以动脉期快速增强,门脉期或延迟期呈低回声作为肝癌诊断指标,超声造影诊断肝癌的准确性可达93．9％（46／49）;如以动脉期增强并结合以往肝癌病史作为肝癌复发的指标,则超声造影诊断肝癌的准确性达100％（49／49）。结论超声造影对复发性肝癌的诊断具有很大价值。     

Sonazoid‐Enhanced Ultrasonography for Evaluation of the Enhancement Patterns of Focal Liver Tumors in the Late Phase by Intermittent Imaging With a High Mechanical Index

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the enhancement patterns of focal liver tumors in the late phase of Sonazoid‐enhanced ultrasonography by intermittent imaging with a high mechanical index (MI). Methods. A total of 142 patients with 208 lesions, including 109 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 61 metastases, 30 hemangiomas, and 8 focal nodular hyperplasias (FNHs), were enrolled in this prospective study. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography with intermittent scanning at 2 frames per second (MI, 0.7–1.2) was conducted in the late phase (>5 minutes after bolus intravenous injection of the perflubutane‐based contrast agent Sonazoid; Daiichi Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan). Two blinded readers classified the enhancement patterns of the lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of the dominant enhancement patterns and inter‐reader agreement were assessed. Results. A combination of diffuse enhancement with intratumoral vessels and intratumoral vessels alone yielded sensitivity of 85% (average of both readers), specificity of 88%, and a PPV of 88% for HCC. For metastasis, a combination of peripheral ringlike enhancement with peritumoral vessels and peripheral ringlike enhancement with intratumoral vessels yielded sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 95%, and a PPV of 85%. For hemangiomas, a combination of peripheral nodular enhancement with peritumoral vessels and peripheral nodular enhancement without peritumoral vessels yielded sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 99%, and a PPV of 92%. Diffuse enhancement with spoked wheel arteries yielded sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 100%, and a PPV of 87% for FNHs. Good inter‐reader agreement was achieved. Conclusions. Sonazoid‐enhanced ultrasonography using intermittent imaging with a high MI can potentially be used for evaluating the enhancement patterns of focal liver tumors in the late phase.     

Effect of Observer Experience in the Differentiation Between Benign and Malignant Liver Tumors After Ultrasound Contrast Agent Injection

Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the observer level of experience on the diagnostic performance of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound imaging (CEUS) for differentiation between benign and malignant liver tumors. Methods. From a computerized search, we retrospectively identified 286 biopsy‐proven liver tumors (105 hepatocellular carcinomas, 48 metastases, 7 intra‐hepatic cholangiocarcinomas, 33 liver hemangiomas, and 93 nonhemangiomatous benign lesions) in 235 patients (140 male and 95 female; mean age ± SD, 56 ± 11 years) who underwent CEUS after sulfur hexafluoride‐filled microbubble injection. The digital cine clips recorded during the arterial (10–35 seconds from injection), portal (50–120 seconds), and late (130–300 seconds) phases were analyzed by 6 independent observers without experience (group 1, observers 1–3) or with 2 to 10 years of experience in CEUS (group 2, observers 4–6). Specific training in the diagnostic and interpretative criteria was provided to the inexperienced observers. Each observer used a 5‐point scale to grade diagnostic confidence: 1, definitely benign; 2, probably benign; 3, indeterminate; 4, probably malignant; or 5, definitely malignant on the basis of the enhancement pattern during the arterial phase and enhancement degree during the portal and late phases compared with the liver (hypoenhancement indicating malignant and isoenhancement to hyperenhancement indicating benign). Results. The analysis of observer diagnostic confidence revealed higher intragroup (κ = 0.63–0.83) than intergroup (κ = 0.47–0.63) observer agreement. The experienced observers showed higher diagnostic performance in malignancy diagnosis than did inexperienced observers (overall accuracy: group 1, 63.3%–72.8%; group 2, 75.9%–93.1%; P < .05, χ² test). Conclusions. The diagnostic performance of CEUS in liver tumor characterization was dependant on the observer's level of experience.     

Assessment of Early Hepatic Echinococcus Multilocularis Infection in Rats with Real-Time Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography

The aim of this study was to demonstrate characteristic imaging and accurate evaluation of blood perfusion in early stage of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). The early stage of experimentally induced secondary HAE in 45 rats was studied. Thirty-six HAE lesions in 33 rats, confirmed by pathologic examination, were examined by ultrasound (US), color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and then CEUS. Thirty-three lesions were found in 30 rats by US, and 30 lesions were detected in 27 rats by CEUS. The sensitivity of US and CEUS was 92% (95% CI 76%–98%) and 82% (95% CI 65%–93%), respectively. US imaging characteristics were categorized into four types: hyperechoic spot (type 1, 45.5%, 15/33), granular hyperechoic spots (type 2, 12.1%, 4/33), hyperechoic lesion (type 3, 30.3%, 10/33) and mixed pattern (type 4, 12.1%, 4/33). CDFI failed to detect blood flow signals in any lesions. CEUS results for 30 lesions showed ring enhancement in the peripheral area during the arterial phase and no filling effect in either the portal or the delayed phase (46.7%, 14/30); ring enhancement combined with central septa enhancement during the arterial phase and portal venous phase (46.7, 14/30), and no enhancement (6.6%, 2/30). The enhanced area, confirmed by pathologic examination, was an inflammatory reaction belt surrounding the lesion. The results of this study suggest that US, with high sensitivity, can be used as a screening method for early HAE lesions in the animal model, while CEUS can be used for displaying the peripheral blood perfusion and vesicle structure.     

Role of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography in Primary Hepatic Lymphoma

Objective. Ultrasonography is the first examination performed for screening of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can help discriminate between HCC and other lesions. Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL), even if rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions (FLLs). Few data are available in the literature about the role of CEUS in the diagnosis of PHL; we tried to determine whether CEUS could have a role in this setting. Methods. we describe 2 cases of primary non‐Hodgkin lymphoma of the liver associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The first patient was a 62‐year‐old man who was an HBV‐inactive carrier, and the second was a 58‐year‐old man with type 2 diabetes and chronic HBV hepatitis. Results. in both cases, ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic liver lesion (4 and 3 cm, respectively) with irregular margins in segment 4 of the liver. On CEUS, these lesions were inhomogeneously hyperenhanced in the arterial phase and hypoenhanced in the portal and late phases. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) in both patients showed slight hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and hypoenhancement in the remaining phases. Needle biopsy showed marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma of the mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue type in both patients. Conclusions. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography and CT did not help us differentiate PHL from HCC; in fact, in both cases we saw the characteristic findings of primary HCC. Primary hepatic lymphoma is a rare condition, but it should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of FLLs. We stress the important role of liver biopsy when imaging indicates HCC in patients without underlying cirrhosis.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: assessment of vascularity with single-level dynamic ultrasonography during the arterial phase.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hemodynamic features of hepatocellular carcinoma on single-level dynamic ultrasonography during the arterial phase. METHODS: Twenty-two hepatocellular carcinomas were examined by single-level dynamic ultrasonography with high transmit intensity and SH U 508A. The scans were performed for 40 seconds with a 1-second interval between each ultrasound transmission and with individual optimization of the scan delay time. The times of initiation of enhancement for both the hepatic artery and the tumor and the time of maximal enhancement for the tumor were recorded, and the mean echo values at every second for the tumor and hepatic parenchyma were measured. RESULTS: Twelve tumors showed hyperechoic enhancement compared with hepatic parenchyma throughout the scans. The other 10 showed hyperechoic enhancement during some segments (range, 8-34 seconds) and either isoechoic (n = 5) or hypoechoic (n = 5) enhancement during the remaining parts; the hyperechoic segments were often short (< 20 seconds, 14%). Although the times for initiation of enhancement for the hepatic artery and hepatocellular carcinoma and the time of maximal enhancement for the tumor varied, the tumor usually initiated enhancement immediately after the hepatic artery (r = 0.986; P = .000001). The interval between the time of initiation of enhancement for the tumor or hepatic artery and that of maximal enhancement for the tumor was significantly correlated with the tumor size (r = 0.700; P = .008; and r = 0.780; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: With individual optimization of the scan delay time, single-level dynamic ultrasonography is useful for depicting the hypervascularity of hepatocellular carcinoma during the arterial phase.     

Clinical Application of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Superficial Lymphadenopathy

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in differential diagnosis of superficial lymphadenopathy. Methods. Ninety‐four superficial enlarged lymph nodes in 94 patients were studied by conventional ultrasonography (gray scale and color Doppler) and CEUS. Contrast‐enhanced sonograms were analyzed using contrast‐specific quantification software. All of the results were compared with pathologic diagnoses. Results. Of the 94 lymph nodes examined, 44 were benign and 50 were malignant (33 metastases and 17 lymphomas). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of conventional ultrasonography in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant nodes were 51%, 47%, and 55%, respectively. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography showed intense homogeneous enhancement in 39 of 44 benign lymph nodes, inhomogeneous enhancement in 32 of 33 metastases, and intense homogeneous enhancement and absence of perfusion in 9 of 17 and 6 of 17 lymphomas, respectively. The sensitivity specificity, and accuracy of CEUS were 84%, 79%, and 80%. After time‐intensity curve gamma variates were calculated, the area under the curve of the benign lymph nodes was greater than those of the metastatic lymph nodes and lymphomas (P < .01). Conclusions. These results indicate that the use of CEUS and contrast‐specific software has a higher degree of diagnostic accuracy than conventional ultrasonography for evaluations of superficial lymphadenopathy. The contrast enhancement patterns and time‐intensity curves provide valuable diagnostic information for differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lymph nodes.     

Combining the Arterial Phase of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography,Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in the Diagnosis of Hepatic Nodules ≤20 mm in Patients with Cirrhosis

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) were compared with respect to diagnostic efficacy in the detection of small hepatocellular carcinoma. A new diagnostic strategy that combines the arterial phase of CEUS, the hepatobiliary phase of EOB-MRI and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) is described. One hundred sixteen nodules were enrolled to validate the performance of the strategy. For lesions ≤20 mm in size, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (Az) of CEUS and EOB-MRI were 0.930 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.867–0.969) and 0.920 (95% CI: 0.855–0.962) (p?=?0.796), respectively. The Az value of the new diagnostic strategy was 0.985 (95% CI: 0.942–0.999) (vs. CEUS, p?=?0.026; vs. EOB-MRI, p?=?0.014). The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the new strategy were 95.5% (95% CI: 88.9%–98.8%), 96.3% (95% CI: 81.0%–99.9%) and 95.7% (95% CI: 91.9%–99.4%), respectively. The new diagnostic strategy based on the arterial phase of CEUS, hepatobiliary phase of EOB-MRI and DWI represents an appealing solution for distinguishing small hepatocellular carcinomas from benign lesions, especially when the nodules present atypical enhancement patterns.     

复发性与初发性肝细胞肝癌实时超声造影比较研究

目的 比较复发性与初发性肝细胞肝癌实时超声造影时相特征.方法 对初发性肝细胞肝癌患者83例(93个肿瘤)和复发性肝细胞肝癌患者56例(70个肿瘤)进行实时灰阶谐波超声造影,比较初发性肿瘤与复发性肿瘤的造影增强时相变化.结果 从注射造影剂开始到肿块回声较肝实质低的时间,复发性与初发性肝细胞肝癌组分别为(104.0±51.8)s和(85.5±43.0)s,两组间差别有显著统计学意义(P=0.010).复发性和初发性肝癌在门脉期中表现为等回声的比例分别为34.3%(24/70),17.2%(16/93),前者明显高于后者(P=0.012).结论 复发性肝细胞肝癌与初发性肝细胞肝癌超声造影表现有一定差异,认识这一规律将有助于复发性肝细胞肝癌的早期诊断.     

Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Pre-operative Diagnosis of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in differentiating between benign and metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Three hundred nineteen cervical lymph nodes (162 metastatic from PTC and 157 benign) were evaluated using conventional ultrasonography (US) and CEUS before biopsy or surgery. Metastatic lymph nodes more often manifested centripetal or asynchronous perfusion, hyper-enhancement, heterogeneous enhancement, perfusion defects and ring-enhancing margins than benign lymph nodes at pre-operative CEUS (all p values < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the combination of conventional US and CEUS (0.983, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.971–0.994) was higher than that of conventional US alone (0.929, 95% CI: 0.899–0.958) and CEUS (0.911, 95% CI: 0.876–0.947). In conclusion, CEUS is a promising tool in conjunction with conventional US for the pre-operative prediction of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in patients with PTC.     

高回声肾错构瘤的超声造影表现

目的探讨超声造影在高回声肾错构瘤中的表现。方法对24例24个经手术病理证实的高回声肾错构瘤常规超声及超声造影声像图进行回顾性分析。常规超声观察肾占位大小、回声、边界、有无彩色血流信号。超声造影观察病灶的增强时相和方式,包括起始时间、达峰值时间、消退时间及病灶内部结构的增强表现。结果常规超声显示24个肿块最大直径范围1.7cm～28.0cm,实质回声团块23个,实质为主的囊实性回声1个;12个肿块发现较丰富或丰富彩色血流信号,10个显示周边或内部少量血流信号,2例未见血流信号;术前常规超声诊断符合率为75%（18/24）。超声造影时24个肿块平均增强起始时间为（14.42±4.06）s,达峰时间为（21.63±5.01）s,开始消退时间（31.29±6.80）s。皮质期21个病灶呈缓慢向心增强,3个同步增强;达峰值呈高增强7个,等增强8个,低增强9个,其中20例均匀增强;实质期同步消退7个,缓慢消退11个,快速消退6个。皮质期缓慢向心增强和达峰值均匀增强共有特征的诊断符合率为83.3%（20/24）。结论超声造影有助于高回声肾错构瘤的诊断。     

常规超声联合超声造影鉴别诊断甲状腺恶性与炎性病灶

目的 观察常规超声联合超声造影（CEUS）鉴别诊断甲状腺恶性与炎性病灶的价值。方法 纳入78例甲状腺疾病患者,根据病理结果将其分为恶性组（n=61）及炎性组（n=17）;对比2组病灶常规超声及CEUS特点,并将组间差异有统计学意义的因素纳入回归分析,观察常规超声联合CEUS鉴别诊断甲状腺恶性与炎性病灶的价值。结果 恶性组与炎性组病灶最大径、钙化情况、纵横比、造影剂到达时间、病灶增强模式及程度差异均有统计学意义（P均<0.05）。回归分析结果显示,病灶最大径<10 mm（OR=130.319,P<0.001）、慢进型增强（OR=6.177,P=0.013）、微钙化（OR=10.886,P=0.001）及向心性增强（OR=12.922,P<0.001）为甲状腺恶性病灶的预测因子,其曲线下面积分别为0.828[95%CI（0.740,0.916）]、0.703[95%CI（0.575,0.832）]、0.638[95%CI（0.501,0.775）]及0.630[95%CI（0.491,0.768）]。结论 常规超声联合CEUS有助于鉴别诊断甲状腺恶性与炎性病灶;病灶伴微钙化、慢进型增强及向心性增强为恶性病灶的预测因子。