Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonnographic reconstruction in evaluating the anatomic features of hepatic arteries

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic reconstruction(3D-CEUS) in evaluating the anatomic features of hepatic arteries.Methods Both the two-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound(2D-CEUS) and 3D-CEUS were used to examine the 26 liver transplantation donors and recipients.Fifteen patients who were diagnosed by CTA or DSA or MRA were analyzed.Each hepatic artery was classified into 4 parts: common hepatic artery(CHA),proper hepatic artery(PHA),left and right hepatic artery(LHA and RHA) and segmental hepatic artery(SHA).The information about anatomic features of hepatic arteries provided by the two methods was evaluated.Results In the evaluation of anatomic features,2D-CEUS and 3D-CEUS showed no significant difference in CHA and PHA(P0.05).But 3D-CEUS was superior to 2D-CEUS in LHA,RHA and SHA(P0.05).Conclusion The 3D-CEUS can provide more diagnostic information than 2D-CEUS in evaluating anatomic features of hepatic arteries.