The Value of Real-time Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound for Focal Liver Lesions

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) for focal liver lesions(FLL)which was smaller than 3 cm.Methods Two hundred and thirty eight patients(357 lesions) were examined with contrast-enhanced US(CEUS),and their characterization were analyzed.These lesions also were examined with contrast-enhanced CT,contrast-enhanced MRI and pathology.The final diagnosis based on the combined information of all imaging examinations,clinical information and pathology was used.Comparisons were made to see whether the addition of contrast-enhanced US led to the improvement of the characterization of focal liver lesions.Results Of all 357 lesions diagnosed by CEUS,there were nine cases of hepatic hemangioma lesions(14 lesions),34 cases of nodular sclerosis(42 lesions),7 cases of foci of inflammatory necrosis(7 lesions),165 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma(236 lesions),5 cases of cholangiocarcinoma(7 lesions),11 cases of liver metastases(22 lesions),1 case with unknown diagnosis lesions(1 lesion) and 20 cases of considered malignant(28 lesions).Benign and malignant lesions in CEUS patterns were significantly different(P0.05).The accurate rate for CEUS diagnosis of benign lesions was 87.5%,the diagnosis accuracy of malignant lesions was 96.8%.Conclusion The low mechanical index real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging has a high application value in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of small nodular lesions in the liver.