Using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to quickly diagnose the bleeding of hepatocellular carcinoma:a clinical study / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the clinical application value and feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in rapid diagnosis for bleeding of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods From January 2009 to December 2012, 58 patients from the 302nd Hospital of the People′s Liberation Army underwent CEUS and conventional ultrasound, who were suspicioused primary bleeding of liver cancer or secondary bleeding of liver cancer after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The change of effusion volume in front of liver and in abdominal cavity, the perfusion time, range and characteristics of contrast agent, tumor vessel and the characteristic manifestation of active bleeding within the tumor and subcapsular were evaluated. Theχ2 test was used to compare the show rates of lesion boundary and the bleeding point by conventional ultrasound and CEUS. The t test was used to compare the change of effusion in front of liver and in abdominal cavity from 0 min to 30 min after bleeding were diagnosis by CEUS. Results For 58 cases of suspicious rupture and bleeding of liver cancer, 34 cases were conifrmed by clinical and imaging ifndings. The bleeding points were detected by conventional ultrasound in 5 cases. The bleeding points in 30 cases (including 4 cases of rapid bleeding, 7 cases of medium bleeding and 19 cases of slow bleeding) were detected by CEUS. The detection rate of lesion boundary, tumor vessel and bleeding point of CEUS were higher than those of conventional ultrasound, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=10.350, P=0.001; χ2=4.300, P=0.034;χ2=36.790, P=0.0007). CEUS showed that contrast agent continuously concentrated at the bleeding point of lesions, and different degrees of bleeding were shown as′jet-like′,′linear′or′intermittent′spillover. The volume of effusion in front of the liver and in abdominal cavity at 30 min was more than those at 0 min after bleeding were diagnosis by CEUS, and the differences were statistically significant (the volume of effusion in abdominal cavityt=-3.467, P=0.026;t=-12.895, P=0.000;t=-3.055, P=0.007;the volume of effusion in front of the livert=-8.110, P=0.001;t=-5.642, P=0.002;t=-5.981, P=0.000). Conclusions CEUS can show direct signs of rupture and bleeding of liver cancer, and the degree of bleeding can be evaluated according to the extravasation characteristics of contrast medium and the changes of lfuid volume. Therefore, CEUS can provid an objective basis for rapid diagnosis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma in the emergency scene and bedside.