Pathological characteristic of enlarged area of hepatocellular carcinoma on contrast enhanced ultrasonography / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore pathological characterization of the enlarged contrast enhanced area of hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) on contrast enhanced ultrasonography ( CEUS). Methods Thirty-five HCC patients underwent conventional ultrasonography and CEUS before hepatectomy. The tumor sizes were measured on conventional ultrasonography,CEUS and postoperative resected specimen at the largest section. The infiltration depth of the HCC was observed under microscope in the peripheral area of the tumors. HCC with the size of contrast enhancement area on CEUS 0. 3 cm larger than that on conventional ultrasonography was defined as group A, and the others as group B. The pathological character of the tumor and tissues surrounding the tumor were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results Among 35 HCC, 40% (14/35) HCC increased in size on CEUS compared with ultrasonography. Of them,9 tumors with increased area on CEUS were confirmed to be invasive HCC on pathology. Using the enlarged contrast enhanced area on CEUS as the diagnostic criteria of invasive HCC, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 90%, 80%, 82.9%, 64.3%, 95. 2%, respectively. Conclusions The contrast enhanced area on CEUS can reflect the infiltrative tumor size more accurately compared with conventional ultrasonography.