Use of accumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography to evaluate tumor vessels in focal nodular hyperplasia and other hepatic tumors

Purpose To evaluate the usefulness of accumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography for examining tumor vessels in focal nodular hyperplasia and other hepatic lesions. Methods After injecting a galactose-palmitic acid contrast agent, we used conventional contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography to scan 8 focal nodular hyperplasia lesions, 21 hepatocellular carcinomas, 2 cholangiocellular carcinomas, 12 hepatic metastases, 17 hemangiomas, and 2 angiomyolipomas. We then accumulated and superimposed consecutive conventional images (accumulation images) and compared them with corresponding conventional images to evaluate serial images of hepatic tumor vessels. Results Serial tumor vessel findings obtained from accumulation images were superior to those obtained from conventional images in 51 (77%) of the 66 various hepatic lesions examined. Evidence of the spoke-wheel artery pattern in 2 of the 8 focal nodular hyperplasia lesions was equivocal in the conventional images, but accumulation images clearly depicted serial images of spoke-wheel arteries, clearly indicating a diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia. Accumulation images allowed the diagnosis of two additional focal nodular hyperplasia lesions that had not been correctly diagnosed as focal nodular hyperplasia from conventional images. Conclusion Accumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography are useful in evaluating hepatic tumor vessels, especially spoke-wheel arteries, which specifically indicate focal nodular hyperplasia.     

Paediatric focal nodular hyperplasia: A case study of typical contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings with quantitative analysis and correlated with magnetic resonance imaging

IntroductionFocal nodular hyperplasia, a benign liver tumour, is the second most common focal benign liver lesion, after a cavernous haemangioma. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is used increasingly for the diagnostic work up and follow-up of focal liver lesions in adults, but is particularly valuable in the paediatric population, with the ability to reduce radiation and the nephrotoxic contrast agents used in computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Confident recognition of focal nodular hyperplasia is important; it is benign, usually asymptomatic, of no clinical significance, of no clinical consequence or malignant potential. We present a case of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver with its characteristic findings on conventional ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound with quantitative analysis and correlated with magnetic resonance imaging.Case presentation: A 15-year-old female with right upper quadrant abdominal pain was referred for liver ultrasound. A focal liver lesion was detected on B-mode ultrasound examination, and colour Doppler demonstrated no specific features. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination demonstrated early arterial enhancement, with a characteristic spoke-wheel pattern, centrifugal uniform filling of the lesion on the late arterial phase and sustained enhancement on the portal venous phase. Quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound has been performed, showing a typical curve of enhancement, as well as characteristic parametric images, supporting the interpretation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and assisting the diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a central T2 hyperintense scar and similar enhancement characteristics as contrast-enhanced ultrasound on T1 gadolinium-enhanced sequences.ConclusionContrast-enhanced ultrasound is a useful technique for the differentiation of benign from malignant liver lesions and has the potential to establish the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia, based on the enhancement pattern, which is similar to that observed on magnetic resonance imaging but can be better appreciated with superior temporal, contrast and spatial resolution of contrast-enhanced ultrasound.     

超声造影观察肝脏局灶性结节样增生小病灶周边的粗大滋养动脉的临床价值

目的探讨超声造影观察肝脏局灶性结节样增生(FNH)小病灶(最大直径3cm)周边的粗大滋养动脉的临床价值。方法超声造影观察25例FNH患者的25个小病灶(最大直径3cm),在动脉期对病灶增强模式和病灶周边的粗大滋养动脉进行分析,同时随机选取20个肝血管瘤及20个肝癌小病灶(直径均3cm)与之对照。结果 25个FNH小病灶中18个病灶(72.0%)于动脉早期呈轮辐状离心性强化,其他病灶则均为全瘤迅速强化。在FNH组、肝血管瘤组、肝癌组中分别有19个(76.0%)、1个(5.0%)、11个(55.0%)病灶于病灶周边检出了粗大滋养动脉。结论 FNH小病灶周边的粗大滋养动脉检出率较高,有助于FNH的定性诊断。     

Primary Application of Micro-Flow Imaging Technology in the Diagnosis of Hepatic Tumors

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the vascular architecture of focal liver lesions with the newly released non-contrast micro-flow imaging (MFI) technique. Eighty patients with 80 hepatic tumors were enrolled in this study. The richness of displayed blood flow was first compared with color Doppler flow imaging using grades according to Adler's method. The results indicated that MFI outperformed color Doppler flow imaging with a statistically significant difference (p <0.0001). With the enhanced position in arterial phase of contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging as the ground truth, the displayed blood flow distribution within tumors in MFI was further evaluated. The coincidence rate between MFI and contrast-enhanced ultrasound was 73.75% (59/80), which was higher than that of color Doppler flow imaging (52.5%, 42/80) (p < 0.0001). Moreover, for the five cases of focal nodular hyperplasia, MFI clearly revealed the spoke-wheel or radiating intra-tumoral vasculature, a finding specific to the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia.     

肝局限性结节状增生的超声造影表现与病灶大小的关系

目的探讨肝局限性结节状增生（FNH）在超声造影中的增强模式及中央瘢痕与病灶大小的关系。方法采用超声造影技术对44例肝FNH患者的44个病灶进行检查,分为小病灶组（直径〈3cm,n=25）及大病灶组（直径≥3cm,n=19）,对病灶在超声造影的动脉期增强模式、中央星状瘢痕的影像表现进行分析。结果动脉期增强模式：小病灶组有18例（72.0%,18/25）、大病灶组有14例（73.6%,14/19）于动脉早期呈轮辐状离心性强化,两组差异无统计学意义,其他病灶则均为全瘤迅速强化。中央星状瘢痕：小病灶组于延迟期发现4个低增强中央瘢痕（16.0%,4/25）,大病灶组可见10个低增强中央瘢痕（52.6%,10/19）,两组差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论两组的FNH动脉期轮辐状离心性强化的检出率均较高。低增强中央瘢痕在大病灶组检出率较高,但在小病灶组的检出率较低。     

彩色多普勒超声检查、超声造影、增强CT诊断肝脏局灶性结节样增生的比较

目的探讨肝脏局灶性结节样增生(FNH)的彩色多普勒超声检查、超声造影、增强CT表现及其诊断价值。方法 2006～2009年经手术及病理证实的10例FNH患者共14个病灶均行彩色多普勒超声检查,其中8个病灶行超声造影检查,4个病灶行增强CT检查。结果 14个病灶中,彩色多普勒超声检查显示5个病灶(5/14,35.71%)内有轮辐状血流信号,最大血流速度平均为(0.59±0.19)m/s,阻力指数平均为0.46±0.16。超声造影显示5个病灶(5/8,62.50%)出现动脉期早期迅速全瘤强化,其他3个病灶(3/8,37.50%)呈轮辐状离心性快速强化,门脉期及延迟期回声稍高于肝实质或与肝实质等回声,有2个病灶(2/8,25.00%)于延迟期见低回声中央星状瘢痕。增强CT显示4个病灶平扫均呈低密度,动脉期显著均匀性强化,门脉期强化接近于肝实质密度,有2个病灶(2/4,50.00%)于动脉期及门脉期见低密度星状瘢痕。结论彩色多普勒超声、超声造影、增强CT这3种方法结合可大大提高FNH的确诊率。     

A case of focal nodular hyperplasia with a new characteristic finding on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using Levovist

We used contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Levovist, a microbubble contrast agent, to diagnose a case of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). A new characteristic finding of heartbeat-synchronized centrifugal enhancement was discovered. We call this enhancement pattern the “sonographic fireworks sign.” It is expected to be useful for diagnosing FNH, especially when the lesions are small and it is difficult to depict a spoke-wheel pattern.     

Hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia: findings on color Doppler ultrasound

Background: We assessed the color Doppler ultrasound (US) findings in focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). Methods: Seven FNH lesions were imaged with color Doppler US and hepatic angiography. Results: In four lesions, color Doppler demonstrated a central stellate vascular appearance which correlated with central feeding artery with spoke-wheel sign angiographically. Except for one lesion, color Doppler US imaging correlated with angiographic findings. Conclusions: Color Doppler US is capable of demonstrating the typical findings of a central feeding artery and stellate vascular pattern in many cases of FNH. Received: 30 August 1995/Accepted after revision: 21 March 1996     

Echo-enhanced Doppler sonography of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver.

Lesions of focal nodular hyperplasia are hypervascular, benign focal liver lesions whose differentiation from other focal liver lesions is of significant clinical relevance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the echo-enhancing agent SHU 508A (Levovist) in the evaluation of focal nodular hyperplasia with Doppler sonography. We examined 49 patients with 71 lesions of focal nodular hyperplasia in the liver with gray scale and power Doppler sonography. In all patients Levovist was administered intravenously in a concentration of 300 to 400 mg galactose per milliliter. Visualization of the feeding vessels and the vascularity of the lesions were evaluated, and the resistive indices in the feeders and the hepatic arteries were assessed. In comparison with unenhanced power Doppler sonography, echo-enhanced power Doppler sonography yields a higher sensitivity in the detection of the feeding artery (97% versus 82%) in focal nodular hyperplasia and in the depiction of the radial vascular architecture in such lesions, especially those located in the left lobe of the liver. Lesions less than 3 cm in diameter do not consistently show a characteristic vascular architecture with echo-enhanced Doppler sonography. The resistive index of the tumor-feeding artery (mean, 0.51 +/- 0.09) is significantly (P < 0.0001) lower than that of the hepatic artery (mean, 0.65 +/- 0.06) and decreases as the size of the focal nodular hyperplasia increases. The administration of Levovist may improve the signal-to-noise ratio and thus visualization of the vascular architecture in focal nodular hyperplasia. Lesions located in the left lobe of the liver, which commonly are subject to disturbing motion artifacts in color Doppler sonography, will significantly benefit from the administration of Levovist. Echo-enhanced power Doppler sonography, however, is not capable of depicting a characteristic vascular pattern in small (< or = 3 cm) lesions of focal nodular hyperplasia that would guarantee a specific diagnosis.     

超声造影与增强CT诊断肝局灶性结节样增生的影像学比较研究

目的探讨超声造影技术（CEUS）与对比增强CT（CECT）在肝局灶性结节增生（FNH）诊断中的影像学表现及临床应用价值。方法采用超声造影和对比增强CT对13例患者的18个病灶进行检查,并对超声造影和对比增强CT在肝局灶性结节增生病灶的增强模式、中央瘢痕影像表现进行比较分析。结果13例18个病灶超声造影和对比增强CT的动脉期主要表现均为全瘤显著强化,分别为14个（14／18）和15个病灶（15／18）,超声造影中另4个病灶呈轮幅状离心性强化（4／18）。门脉期两者主要表现为不低于肝实质回声（密度）。FNH大病灶组（10个病灶,直径≥3cm）病灶的中央瘢痕在超声造影和对比增强CT中较易被发现（4／10,5／10）,但小病灶组（8个病灶,直径〈3cm）病灶的中央瘢痕较难发现（0／8,1／8）。结论超声造影的增强模式及病灶中央瘢痕检出率与对比增强CT的检出率高度一致,超声造影还可实时动态反映FNH的血流灌注过程。     

超声造影结合新时相划分在肝脏局灶性结节性增生诊断中的价值

目的 探讨超声造影(CEUS)在诊断肝脏局灶性结节性增生(FNH)中的价值.方法 回顾性分析了5例FNH的超声造影资料,并与CT增强或MRI进行了比较.结果 CEUS能够优于CT或MRI连续观察病灶的动脉相、门脉相、实质相、延迟相的声像图变化,观察到FNH的典型表现动脉相由中心呈轮辐状增强,门脉相及实质相、延迟相持续增强,部分病例可有中央星状瘢痕.结论 超声造影结合新的时相划分对于FNH具有较高诊断价值.     

Diagnosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma using contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale imaging with enhancement agents (Levovist): Correlation with helical CT and US angiography

We compared contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale imaging with helical CT and US angiography to evaluate vascularity in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale imaging using Levovist (Nihon Schering, Tanabe) as the contrast agent and enhanced helical CT were performed on 38 patients with 45 lesions (29 men and 9 women aged 41 to 83 years; mean age, 66 years; mean maximum tumor diameter, 30.5±23.0 mm), and angiography was performed to evaluate 37 lesions from 32 of these 38 patients (24 men and 8 women, aged 41 to 79 years; mean age, 65 years; mean maximum tumor diameter, 27.9±17.9 mm). Contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale imaging showed hypervascular enhancement in 41 of the 45 lesions; the other 4 lesions were not visualized as hypervascular because 3 of the them could not be detected with non-enhanced US and the remaining lesion was situated deep in the liver and more than 11 cm from the surface of the body. Helical CT showed areas of high attenuation in 40 of the 45 lesions, leaving the other 5 lesions equivocal, while US angiography achieved positive enhancement in 36 of 37 lesions. Intratumoral vessels were visualized with contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale imaging in 25 of the 45 lesions; however; intratumoral vessels were seen in only 4 of the 45 lesions examined with helical CT. In evaluating vascularity in advanced HCC, contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale imaging with Levovist was as effective as US angiography and more effective than helical CT. Motion artifacts produced by the heart make it difficult to evaluate vascularity in advanced HCC located in the left lobe of the liver with Doppler sonography. Contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale imaging can show intratumoral vessels and hypervascular enhancement of the tumor without motion artifacts, however, even when the tumor is located near the heart or large vessels. Contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale imaging is useful for evaluating vascularity in advanced HCC when the tumor can be visualized with non-enhanced US.     

Assessment of therapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with percutaneous radio frequency ablation: comparison of multiphase helical computed tomography and power Doppler ultrasonography with a microbubble contrast agent.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of multiphase helical computed tomography and power Doppler ultrasonography with a microbubble contrast agent in the assessment of the therapeutic response to radio frequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: In 66 patients with 73 nodular hepatocellular carcinomas ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 cm (mean, 2.6 cm) in diameter, contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography was performed after intravenous bolus injection of a galactose-based microbubble contrast agent before and after radio frequency ablation. The results of the studies were compared with the findings of follow-up 3-phase helical computed tomography. All patients were regularly followed up with computed tomography for more than 1 year (range, 13-19 months). RESULTS: In 8 (11%) of 73 hepatocellular carcinomas, immediate follow-up computed tomography obtained within 2 hours after radio frequency ablation showed focal enhancing portions within the treated lesions, suggesting residual non-necrotic tumors. All 8 of these tumors had intratumoral flow signals on contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography. The diagnostic agreement between computed tomography and contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography was achieved in 100%. Among the remaining 65 hepatocellular carcinomas with the absence of residual tumors at both immediate follow-up computed tomography and contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography, subsequent follow-up computed tomography showed local regrowth at the margins of 10 lesions (15%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography closely correlated with those of immediate follow-up computed tomography for detecting residual tumors in hepatocellular carcinomas treated with radio frequency ablation. Both techniques, however, showed a limitation in detecting small or microscopic residual tumors and in predicting local regrowth in the treated lesions.     

肝脏局灶性结节增生的MRI表现与病理对照分析

目的：分析肝脏局灶性结节增生（FNH）的平扫和动态增强的MRI表现及诊断价值，提高FNH诊断的准确率。方法：回顾性分析15例（16个病灶）经病理证实的FNH的平扫及动态增强MRI表现。结果：16个病灶于T1WI呈略低信号或等信号，T2WI呈略高信号或等信号。增强扫描动脉期呈明显强化，在门脉期及延迟期呈等或略高强化。5个病灶在平扫MRI上显示中央瘢痕，11个病灶在动态增强MRI上显示中央瘢痕，均见延迟强化。结论：平扫和动态增强MRI检查能较全面显示FNH的病理特征和血供特点，明显地提高与其他富血管恶性肿瘤的鉴别诊断能力。     

The sonographic “scar sign” in focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver.

The sonographic features of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver as reported in the literature and nonspecific. However, a linear cluster of bright echoes was detected in the nodules of two of our patients with surgically proven focal nodular hyperplasia. Pathologically this finding correlated closely with the gross appearance of the characteristic fibrotic scar of focal nodular hyperplasia. When present, this "scar sign" should suggest the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia, particularly in the typical clinical setting.     

31例肝局灶性结节状增生的影像学检查结果对比分析

【目的】分析肝局灶性结节状增生超声、CT、核磁共振影像学结果,明确各种检查的诊断价值,提高肝局灶性结节状增生诊断的准确率,避免不必要的手术治疗。【方法】回顾性分析31例（33个病灶）经病理证实的肝局灶性结节状增生患者的超声、CT、核磁共振影像检查的结果。【结果】31例患者（33个病灶）中,二维灰阶超声诊断为良性病变18个病灶,彩色多普勒超声诊断为良性病变26仓病灶,22个病灶CT诊断为良性病变．共有26个病灶MRI诊断为肝局灶性结节状增生;其中行超声造影者9例,8例均诊断为肝局灶性结节状增生。【结论】彩色多普勒超声与MRI对肝局灶性结节状增生的良恶性诊断大体一致,但是MRI对肝局灶性结节状增生的定性诊断明显高于彩超;而超声造影是所有影像定性诊断中最准确的方法。     

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma

The magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) on T1- and T2-weighted and dynamic serial postgadolinium-DTPA images is reported. Both tumors were large (>7 cm in shortest dimension) and had central regions of low signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images. Diffuse heterogeneous enhancement of the tumors occurred on immediate postcontrast images. Lesions became more homogeneous in enhancement over time, but lack of enhancement of central portions of the tumor persisted. Although persistent lack of enhancement of the tumor scar on late postcontrast MR images may be characteristic of FL-HCC compared with delayed enhancement in focal nodular hyperplasia, the potential similarities between these tumors is stressed.     

肝肿瘤实时灰阶谐波超声造影与彩色多普勒超声造影比较研究

目的比较实时灰阶谐波超声造影与彩色多普勒超声造影在评价肝肿瘤血供情况中的价值.方法对32例患者进行彩色多普勒超声造影和实时灰阶谐波超声造影,其中恶性肿瘤19例(原发性肝癌17例,转移性肝癌2例),肝血管瘤5例,局灶结节性增生5例,肝硬化结节1例,局灶性脂肪分布不均2例.比较两种方法反映肝肿瘤血供情况的能力,与病理及动态增强CT对照.结果彩色多普勒超声造影和实时灰阶谐波超声造影对血流的显示率分别为90.7%(29/32),100%(32/32),两种方法在判断肿瘤有无血供方面无明显差异.两种方法均可观察肿瘤增强的时相变化,实时灰阶谐波超声造影对肝实质内微血管血供的显示优于彩色多普勒成像,可判断肿瘤的坏死情况.结论实时灰阶谐波超声造影可有效的显示肿瘤内的血供,并可动态观察肿瘤的血流灌注情况,其效果明显优于彩色多普勒超声造影.     

肝脏局灶性结节增生的超声造影表现及相关因素

目的 探讨肝脏局灶性结节增生(FNH)的CEUS表现,分析其相关因素。方法 对49例经病理确诊的FNH患者行CEUS检查,观察三期增强模式、离心性增强、轮辐状动脉、供血动脉和中央瘢痕,并分析上述各征象与病灶大小及肝脏背景的关系。结果 49例中,三期最常见的增强模式分别为动脉期高增强(45/49,91.84%)、门脉期等增强(25/49,51.02%)及延迟期等增强(21/49,42.86%);离心性增强27例(55.10%),轮辐状血管14例(28.57%),可见供血动脉33例(67.34%),中央瘢痕13例(26.53%)。在≤3 cm和≤5 cm的FNH中分别有15例(15/21,71.43%)和25例(25/38,65.79%)检出离心性增强,在≤3 cm的FNH中未见中央瘢痕,但不同大小的FNH中轮辐状动脉(P=0.78)和供血动脉(P=0.62)的检出率差异无统计学意义。不同肝脏背景的FNH中,4种CEUS典型征象的检出率差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。结论 FNH最常见的三期增强模式为"高-等-等";离心性增强常见于较小的FNH,而较大FNH多可见中央瘢痕。     

Characterization of benign hepatic tumors arising in fatty liver with SonoVue and pulse inversion US

Background We describe the spectrum of contrast-enhancement patterns of benign hepatic tumors arising in fatty liver on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US). Methods Sixteen patients (12 women and four men) with 27 benign hepatic tumors (17 hemangiomas, eight focal nodular hyperplasias, and two hepatocellular adenomas) arising in fatty liver underwent baseline and pulse inversion US after administration of SonoVue. Two experienced radiologists evaluated baseline echogenicity and dynamic enhancement pattern of each lesion in comparison with adjacent liver parenchyma. Results After administration of SonoVue, in the arterial phase 13 of 17 hemangiomas showed peripheral globular enhancement and one showed a rim of peripheral enhancement, followed by progressive centripetal fill-in, which was complete in 10 of 14 cases and incomplete in four. Three of 18 hemangiomas showed rapid and complete fill-in in the arterial phase. Eight of eight focal nodular hyperplasias became hyperechoic in comparison with adjacent liver parenchyma in the arterial phase and slightly hyperechoic or isoechoic in the portal venous and delayed phases. Both adenomas showed strong arterial contrast enhancement that became less intense in the portal venous and delayed phases. Conclusion Contrast-enhanced US after administration of SonoVue enables depiction of typical contrast-enhancement patterns in most benign hepatic tumors arising in fatty liver, thus providing useful clues for characterization.