Application of dynamic three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the vascular characteristics of hepatic tumors

Objective To investigate the application potentiality of dynamic three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D-CEUS) in showing vascular patterns of hepatic tumors.Methods Total of 65 hepatic tumors were examined with two-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (2D-CEUS) and dynamic 3D-CEUS and make statistical comparison between two imaging modes in aspects of enhancement patterns,spatial relationships of tumors and vascularity of different hepatic tumors.Results Dynamic 3D-CEUS showed the same enhancement patterns with 2D-CEUS.However,Dynamic 3D-CEUS was superior to 2D-CEUS in the display of spatial relationships of hepatic tumors and vascularity(P ＜0.05).The vascularity between benign and malignant hepatic tumors was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Dynamic 3D-CEUS is a useful technique in the differential diagnosis of hepatic tumors as well as 2D-CEUS,and dynamic 3D-CEUS displays the spatial relationship of hepatic tumors and vascularity more visually and comprehensively,which provides additional beneficial information for the diagnosis and therapy of hepatic tumors. Key words: Ultrasonography, three-dimensional ;  Microbubbles ;  Liver neoplasms