Value of contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma with special attention to the "color-filled pattern".
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with special attention to the value of a "color-filled pattern."


METHODS
Contrast enhancement with Levovist was performed on 30 liver tumors, including 21 HCCs, as part of phase II and III clinical trials. Detection of a "feeding artery" or a "color-filled pattern" with color Doppler sonography was interpreted as a positive finding for HCC. Angiography was also performed.


RESULTS
A feeding artery was detected in 9 HCCs before contrast enhancement and 20 HCCs after. A color-filled pattern was seen in 14 HCCs after enhancement. A feeding artery was seen in only 1 non-HCC tumor, and a color-filled pattern was not seen in any non-HCC. The sensitivity and specificity of a feeding artery for the diagnosis of HCC were 95% and 89%, values similar to those of hepatic angiography. The sensitivity and specificity of a color-filled pattern were 67% and 100%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast enhancement increases the detectability of a feeding artery and improves the sensitivity of color Doppler sonography for diagnosing HCC. A color-filled pattern is a highly specific finding in the diagnosis of HCC.
Tanaka
S
S
The Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Japan.
Kitamra
T
T
Fujita
M
M
Yoshioka
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media