Ultrasound (US) is often the first imaging modality employed in patients with suspected focal liver lesions. The role of US in the characterisation of focal liver lesions has been transformed with the introduction of ...Ultrasound (US) is often the first imaging modality employed in patients with suspected focal liver lesions. The role of US in the characterisation of focal liver lesions has been transformed with the introduction of specific contrast media and the development of specialized imaging techniques. Ultrasound now can fully characterise the enhancement pattern of hepatic lesions, similar to that achieved with contrast enhanced multiphasic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). US contrast agents are safe, well-tolerated and have very few contraindications. Furthermore, real-time evaluation of the vascularity of focal liver lesions has become possible with the use of the newer microbubble contrast agents. This article reviews the enhancement pattern of the most frequent liver lesions seen, using the second generation US contrast media. The common pitfalls for each type of lesion are discussed. The recent developments in US contrast media and specific imaging techniques have been a major advance and this technique, in view of the intrinsic advantages of US, will undoubtedly gain popularity in the years to come.展开更多
Objective： By observing the pattern of the focal liver lesions （FLL） in different phases by real time contrast-enhanced ultrasound （CEUS）, compared to enhanced CT, investigate the value of CEUS in diagnosing foca...Objective： By observing the pattern of the focal liver lesions （FLL） in different phases by real time contrast-enhanced ultrasound （CEUS）, compared to enhanced CT, investigate the value of CEUS in diagnosing focal liver lesions. Meth. ods： 35 patients with unconfirmed focal liver lesions were studied by contrast agent SonoVue and Technos DU 8 produced by Esaote company. Results： Among the 14 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, 10 were typical, presented with early artery enhancement and immediate wash-out. The enhancement patterns of 6 livers metastasis were diverse, including peripheral or entire degree enhancement. The wash-out time in malignant tumors was eadier than other focal liver lesions （P 〈 0.05）, appeared as hypoechoic in the portal phase or parenchyma phase. The 6 cases of hemangioma were enhanced centripetally nodular in artery phase and washed out after several minutes. The patterns of different lesions were similar compared to contrast-enhanced CT, without significant statistic differences. Conclusion： The contrast enhanced ultrasound technique can significantly improved the value of diagnosing focal liver lesions.展开更多
基金Supported by Research Grant from the British Medical Research Council, Pfizer Global Research (Sandwich, UK) and the United Kingdom Department of Health Research and Development Fund. SM is funded by a clinical and research fellowship from the Société des Radiologistes de l’Hpital St-Franois d’Assise, Québec, Canada
文摘Ultrasound (US) is often the first imaging modality employed in patients with suspected focal liver lesions. The role of US in the characterisation of focal liver lesions has been transformed with the introduction of specific contrast media and the development of specialized imaging techniques. Ultrasound now can fully characterise the enhancement pattern of hepatic lesions, similar to that achieved with contrast enhanced multiphasic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). US contrast agents are safe, well-tolerated and have very few contraindications. Furthermore, real-time evaluation of the vascularity of focal liver lesions has become possible with the use of the newer microbubble contrast agents. This article reviews the enhancement pattern of the most frequent liver lesions seen, using the second generation US contrast media. The common pitfalls for each type of lesion are discussed. The recent developments in US contrast media and specific imaging techniques have been a major advance and this technique, in view of the intrinsic advantages of US, will undoubtedly gain popularity in the years to come.
文摘Objective： By observing the pattern of the focal liver lesions （FLL） in different phases by real time contrast-enhanced ultrasound （CEUS）, compared to enhanced CT, investigate the value of CEUS in diagnosing focal liver lesions. Meth. ods： 35 patients with unconfirmed focal liver lesions were studied by contrast agent SonoVue and Technos DU 8 produced by Esaote company. Results： Among the 14 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, 10 were typical, presented with early artery enhancement and immediate wash-out. The enhancement patterns of 6 livers metastasis were diverse, including peripheral or entire degree enhancement. The wash-out time in malignant tumors was eadier than other focal liver lesions （P 〈 0.05）, appeared as hypoechoic in the portal phase or parenchyma phase. The 6 cases of hemangioma were enhanced centripetally nodular in artery phase and washed out after several minutes. The patterns of different lesions were similar compared to contrast-enhanced CT, without significant statistic differences. Conclusion： The contrast enhanced ultrasound technique can significantly improved the value of diagnosing focal liver lesions.
