Color doppler ultrasonography study in hepatocellular carcinoma with angiographic correlation.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To study the blood supply of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) and to compare the results with angiography study. Materials and methods: 13 patients, 12 males, 1 female, aged 43 to 67 years, were studied at Siriraj Hospital between February 1995 and September 1995. They were diagnosed by clinica examination, and 7 of the 13 by liver biopsy, as having high levels of alpha fetoprotein more than 1,000 unit. All patients were examined by CDUS, followed by hepatic angiography and were treated by transcatheter oily chemoembolization (TOCE) within 1 week. Results: 12 of the 13 patients had HCC single mass and 9 of those were in the right lobe of the liver. The 13th patient have 2 masses. 12 of the 14 masses were larger than 6 cms; 7 of 14 masses being hyperechoic and 6 of 14 masses mixed echoic, 1 of 14 hypoechoic. The CDUS and angiography showed hypervascularity in 10 of the 14 most of the blood supplies were in the periphery of lesions, and there were both pulsatile, and continuous flow. There was portal vein thrombosis showing in 4 to the 13 cases in both CDUS, and anitography. Angiography showed hepatoportal shunting in 3 of 13 but CDUS suggested hepatoportal shunt in only 2 patients. Conclusion: There is a good correlation between CDUS, and angiography in HCC, CDUS can be used in the diagnosis, of HCC, its staging, and in follow up studies after TOCE treatment.