Differential diagnosis of focal hepatic cirrhosis lesions using real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Objective To analyze characteristics of blood flow perfusion in the focal hepatic lesions using real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) and investigate the clinical value of CEUS in the differential diagnosis of cirrhosis with nodus.Methods 102 lesions in 78 patients with liver cirrhosis confirmed by pathology were observed using low mechanical index(MI 0.06~0.10) pulse-inversion harmonic sonography.The characteristics of blood flow perfusion in lesions were analyzed and compared with common color Doppler sonography and contrast-enhanced CT.Results The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predict value,accuracy rates in diagnosing primary hepatic carcinoma by CEUS,contrast-enhanced CT and common color Doppler sonography were 97.8%,93.9%,95.7%,96.9%,96.2% and 93.3%,93.9%,95.5%,91.2%,93.6% and 60%,66.7%,71.1%,55%,62.8% respectively.The data form CEUS and contrast-enhanced CT were highly consistent with results of pathology(Kappa=0.93 and 0.87),and their correct rate of diagnosis were significantly higher than those of common color ultrasound(Kappa=0.26).Conclusion There is an important clinical practical value for using real-time CEUS to differential diagnose primary hepatic carcinoma and hepatic cirrhosis nodus.