Vascular flow patterns of hepatic tumors in contrast-enhanced 3-dimensional fusion ultrasonography using plane shift and opacity control modes.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to determine whether contrast-enhanced 3-dimensional (3D) fusion ultrasonography with combined use of the plane shift and opacity control modes can serve as a useful tool for identifying the vascular characteristics of hepatic tumors in 3D perspective.


METHODS
Contrast-enhanced 3D fusion ultrasonography was performed in 31 patients with hepatic tumors after the intravenous injection of contrast media. The shapes, courses, and distributions of tumor vessels, displayed in 3D perspective, were examined to identify the characteristic vascular flow patterns of various tumors. Images before and after contrast media administration were compared for evaluation of the effectiveness of contrast enhancement with regard to tumor diameter for various types of tumors. The images were interpreted in a blinded manner by 3 physicians specializing in abdominal ultrasonography, and vascular flow patterns were determined on the basis of consensus.


RESULTS
The characteristic vascular flow patterns observed in hepatocellular carcinomas are reticular flow within the tumor and flow showing a ringlike distribution surrounding the tumor. Metastatic tumors show a vascular flow pattern running between adjacent tumor nodules, and hemangiomas show localized nodular flow at the tumor margins. Contrast enhancement was found to be useful for showing the vascular flow patterns in small hepatocellular carcinomas and hemangiomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced 3D fusion ultrasonography makes it possible to display images combining the plane shift and opacity control modes to show tumor vessels, including minute vascular flow within hepatic tumors, in 3D perspective and to identify tumor-specific vascular flow patterns.
Ohto
Masao
M
Research Center Hospital for Charged Particle Therapy, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan. mohto@qa3.so-net.ne.jp
Kato
Hirotoshi
H
Tsujii
Hirohiko
H
Maruyama
Hitoshi
H
Matsutani
Shoichi
S
Yamagata
Hitoshi
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media