Occult hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: value of ultrasound-guided biopsy of portal vein system thrombus.
We report two cases of occult hepatocellular carcinoma associated with alcoholic cirrhosis, in which the diagnosis of malignancy was respectively established by ultrasound-guided biopsy of umbilical vein and portal vein branch thrombus. When measurement of serum alpha-foetoprotein, and liver ultrasonography and/or computed tomography failed to clearly demonstrate hepatocellular carcinoma, the presence of a thrombosis of the portal vein system is highly suggestive of malignancy, which may be easily confirmed by venous biopsy.
Joly
J P
JP
Department of Hepatogastroenterology, North Hospital, Amiens, France.
Delamarre
J
J
Razafimahaleo
A
A
Sevestre
H
H
Tossou
H
H
Capron
J P
JP
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional