Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Nodules in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease Using Contrast‐Enhanced Sonography: Usefulness of the Combination of Arterial‐ and Kupffer‐Phase Enhancement Patterns. (1st March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suzuki, Kunio; Okuda, Yorihide; Ota, Makiyo; Kojima, Fumiyoshi; Horimoto, Masayoshi
• Is Part Of: Journal of ultrasound in medicine. Volume 34:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 423
• Page End: 433
• Publication Date: 2015-03-01
• Subjects: cellular differentiation -- contrast-enhanced sonography -- contrast media -- gastrointestinal ultrasound -- hepatocellular carcinoma -- perfluorobutane; Ultrasonics in medicine -- Periodicals; Ultrasonics; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonics in medicine; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.07543
• DOI: 10.7863/ultra.34.3.423
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-4297

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To determine the usefulness of contrast‐enhanced sonography using the perfluorobutane contrast agent Sonazoid (Daiichi‐Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan) for establishing the diagnosis and cellular differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver disease. Methods: Patients with chronic liver disease in whom hepatic nodules were detected during screening for hepatocellular carcinoma were examined by imaging modalities, including contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT), contrast‐enhanced sonography, and contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Nodules with negative imaging findings were further investigated with core biopsy or followed at our hospital. Between April 2007 and March 2011, all patients with hepatic nodules who underwent core biopsy of the nodules or hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma were reviewed. Fifty‐nine nodules from 47 patients with 42 contrast‐enhanced sonographic findings and 41 contrast‐enhanced CT findings were examined. Arterial‐ and Kupffer‐phase enhancement patterns of the nodules on contrast‐enhanced sonography were compared with the diagnosis and cellular differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Arterial‐ and late‐phase enhancement patterns on contrast‐enhanced CT were also compared with histologic findings. Results: The combination of hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and hypoenhancement in the Kupffer phase on contrast‐enhanced sonography (n = 11) correlated with moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma ( P = .0028, Fisher exact test). The combination of hypoenhancement in the arterial phase and isoenhancement in the Kupffer phase on contrast‐enhanced sonography (n = 14) correlated with well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma ( P = .0006, Fisher exact test). The combination of high density in the arterial phase and low density in the late phase on contrast‐enhanced CT (n = 21) correlated with moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma ( P = .0059, Fisher exact test), but no enhancement pattern combination on contrast‐enhanced CT correlated with well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: Sonazoid contrast‐enhanced sonography is useful for diagnosis of well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma.