Focal Hepatic Lesions: Contrast-Enhancement Patterns at Pulse-Inversion Harmonic US using a Microbubble Contrast Agent

• Published in: Korean journal of radiology pp. 4 - 233
• Main Authors: Eun-AKim, Kwon-HaYoon, YoungHwanLee, HyeWonKim, SeonKwanJuhng, JongJinWon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한영상의학회 01.12.2003
• Subjects: 방사선과학
• ISSN: 1229-6929; 2005-8330

Objective: To analyze the contrast-enhancement patterns obtained at pulseinversion harmonic imaging (PIHI) of focal hepatic lesions, and to thus determine tumor vascularity and the acoustic emission effect. Materials and Methods: We reviewed pulse-inversion images in 90 consecutive patients with focal hepatic lesions, namely hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n=43), metastases (n=30), and hemangioma (n=17). Vascular and delayed phase images were obtained immediately and five minutes following the injection of a microbubble contrast agent. Tumoral vascularity at vascular phase imaging and the acoustic emission effect at delayed phase imaging were each classified as one of four patterns. Results: Vascular phase images depicted internal vessels in 93% of HCCs, marginal vessels in 83% of metastases, and peripheral nodular enhancement in 71% of hemangiomas. Delayed phase images showed inhomogeneous enhancement in 86% of HCCs; hypoechoic, decreased enhancement in 93% of metastases; and hypoechoic and reversed echogenicity in 65% of hemangiomas. Vascular and delayed phase enhancement patterns were associated with a specificity of 91% or greater, and 92% or greater, respectively, and with positive predictive values of 71% or greater, and 85% or greater, respectively. Conclusion: Contrast-enhancement patterns depicting tumoral vascularity and the acoustic emission effect at PIHI can help differentiate focal hepatic lesions. KCI Citation Count: 0