Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Intraarterially Enhanced Ultrasonography with Co2 Microbubbles

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced US with CO2 microbubbles (EU) for HCCs. Detectability was compared with DSA, dynamic CT, and Lipiodol CT.Material and Methods: Forty-seven histologically proven HCCs detected with US were evaluated with EU, DSA, and dynamic CT. In 23 patients (35 lesions), Lipiodol CT was also performed. The size of the tumors ranged from 8 to 71 mm (average 28.1 mm); 24 lesions were smaller than 20 mm and 23 lesions were larger than 20 mm.Results: Overall detection was possible in 40 of 47 lesions (85%) by EU, in 32 of 47 (68%) by DSA, in 33 of 47 (74%) by dynamic CT, and in 27 of 35 (77%) by Lipiodol CT. In tumors smaller than 20 mm, detection was possible in 21 of 24 lesions (88%) by EU, 14 of 24 (58%) by DSA, 14 of 24 (58%) by dynamic CT, and 11 of 17 (65%) by Lipiodol CT.Conclusion: EU has significant diagnostic value for detection of HCCs, particularly tumors smaller than 20 mm.