Analysis of the contrast-enhanced ultrasonic characteristics of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasonagraphy(CEUS) of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma ( SHC ) . Methods Fifteen lesions identified pathologically from 15 patients were included in this study . Among them ,9 lesions had completely sarcomatoid change and 6 lesions had partially sarcomatoid change . Totally 8 lesions were in the small size group with maximum diameter＜ 50 mm and 7 lesions in the big size group with maximum diameter ≥ 50 mm . The CEUS performance was observed and analyzed . Results In the arterial phase of CEUS ,9 lesions in the group with completely sarcomatoid change showed rim hyperenhancement and 6 lesions in the group with partially sarcomatoid change showed whole hyperenhancement , the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P ＜ 0 .001 ) . However ,the difference of CEUS performance between small size group and big size group was not statistically significant ( P ＝ 0 .608 ) , all the lesions showed hypoechogenecity in portal and(or) late phase of CEUS . Conclusions The difference of performance on CEUS is not related to the size of SHC ,but to the degree of sarcomatoid change within the tumor . SHC with completely sarcomatoid change shows rim hyperenhancement and SHC with partially sarcomatoid change shows entire hyperenhancement in arterial phase on CEUS .