Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in differential diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and early stage liver abscess

Objective To assess the clinic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in differential diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and early stage liver abscess. Methods Fifty-one patients with pathologically verified intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 30 patients with pathologically confirmed early stage liver abscess were included in this study. All patients were investigated using color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and CEUS. Characteristics of the dynamic perfusion of lesions and surrounding tissues with contrast agent and color signals were compared. Results The area of abundant perfusion of CEUS (6.83 ± 1.74)cm2 was significantly higher than that of CDFI (4.27 ± 1.05)cm2 in patients with early stage liver abscess(P = 0.03). No significant difference was found between the abnormal perfusion areas detected from CDFI (3.87 ± 2.14)cm2 and CEUS (4.02 ± 1.92)cm2 in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Patients with cholangiocarcinoma ultrasound contrast arterial phase high enhanced,a small part of the performance is enhanced or low enhancements.Portal venous phase to the low enhancement or slightly enhanced,a small part of the performance enhancements such. Delay period showed low enhancement,the typical sign of fast-in-and-fast-washout was found. 22 cases of liver abscess in patients with ring enhancement with thick interval in each angiography,8 patients showed for the grid-like enhancement,the typical sign of fast-in-and-fast-washout was found. Patients with liver abscess,mass internal and peripheral vascular traveling normal in 27 cases,3 cases of the disorder,patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma,blood vessels line normal in 27 cases,24 cases of the disorder,there was significant difference(P﹤0.001).Patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma,within the tumor and surrounding portal vein emboli formed in 4 cases,47 cases was not formed,in patients with liver abscess,venous emboli formed in 1 case,29 cases was not formed,there was no significant difference. Conclusion CEUS is useful in differential diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and early liver abscess.