Clin Ultrasound.  2016 Nov;1(2):71-77. 10.18525/cu.2016.1.2.71.

Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound for the Differentiation of Hepatic Mass

• Jang JY

• KMID: 2555382
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18525/cu.2016.1.2.71

Abstract

Grayscale ultrasonography (US) is widely used in the detection and differentiation of hepatic mass. However, grayscale US lack specificity in the characterization of hepatic mass. Contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) can achieve dynamic images throughout the vascular phases of the liver which lead to great advances in diagnostic accuracy of US. The enhancement patterns depend on the microvascularization of the hepatic mass, and the characteristics of lesion can be assessed based on three vascular phases. Uptake of Sonazoid® by the Kupper cells makes post vascular images (Kupffer phase images), this recent introduction of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) has dramatically expanded the application of liver US. CEUS also avoids the ionizing radiation used in computed tomography (CT) and has no severe adverse effects (the UCAs do not induce allergic reactions and are not excreted through the kidneys). The most important difference from CT/magnetic resonance imaging is that CEUS allows real-time evaluation of liver mass and immediate results to be obtained, and consequently CEUS provides a significant improvement in clinical practice with an accurate diagnosis, in contrast to the inconclusive results obtained in traditional US. In this review, the differential diagnosis for hepatic mass using CEUS will be discussed.

Keyword

조영증강초음파; 간종괴; 감별진단; Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS); Hepatic mass; Diagnosis, Differential