J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  1999 Dec;18(4):269-274.

Contrast-enhanced Power Doppler US of Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Quantitative Analysis

• Kim AY
• Choi BI
• Kim TK
• Lee KH
• Han JK

Abstract

PURPPOSE: To determine peak time and duration of contrast enhancement of nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasound (US) with Levovist(r)by quantitative analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty eight patients with nodular HCC were prospectively evaluated with power Doppler US by one examiner. Serial images were obtained before and after injection of 300mg/mL US contrast agent (SH U 508 A, Levovist (r), Schering) with the injection rate of 0.2mL/sec. Power Doppler signals on obtained digital images were quantified using 'Ultrasound Imaging Tool Version 1.0' (Seoul, Korea). The grade, peak time and duration of contrast enhancement of the tumors were analyzed.
RESULTS
For nodular HCCs, mean peak enhancement time was 60 seconds after injection of Levovist (r)(mean enhanced area, 41.6 +/-28.6%). These tumoral enhancement decreased from 90 seconds and returned to near base-line state at 5 minutes after injection of Levovist (r) . Maximum enhanced areas (%) were variable at a rangeof 8-98.5% and mean maximum enhanced area was 46.4 +/-2 8 . 6 % .
CONCLUSION
On contrast-enhanced power Doppler US with Levovist (r) , nodular HCCs showed peak contrast enhancement (41.6 +/-28.6%) at 60 seconds after injection of a contrast agent. This tumoral enhancement nearly disappeared at 5 minutes after injection of contrast agent.

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Humans
Liver Neoplasms
Prospective Studies
Ultrasonography