Enhanced color flow images in small hepatocellular carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Features of enhanced color flow images in small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristic vascular images in small HCC observed by enhanced color Doppler.


METHODS
Enhanced color Doppler using the contrast agent Levovist was performed on 13 patients with HCC smaller than 30 mm. Enhanced color flow appearance was compared with angiographic findings. Time-intensity changes after injection of the contrast agent were analyzed in HCC nodules.


RESULTS
Significant improvement in the detection of color flow signals was obtained in small HCC using Levovist, from 33% in precontrast to 92% in postcontrast (p < 0.005). Three patterns of enhanced color flow images, which were related to the angiographic findings, were observed. The time-intensity curve was classified into two types by "time to peak" and "time on plateau" and was associated with the patterns of enhanced images.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced color flow imaging promises to be a useful method for evaluating tumor vascularity noninvasively and to contribute to the elucidation of the hemodynamics in small HCC.
Maruyama
H
H
First Department of Medicine, Chiba University School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuou-ku, Chiba-City, Chiba, 260-0856, Japan.
Matsutani
S
S
Sato
G
G
Nakano
Y
Y
Mitsuhashi
O
O
Yoshikawa
M
M
Ebara
M
M
Saisho
H
H
Ohto
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011134:Polysaccharides; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508