Diagnosis of focal liver masses on ultrasonography: comparison of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced scans.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy, confidence level, and recommended management of focal liver masses after contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) compared with unenhanced ultrasonography alone.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-seven patients were referred for CEUS to characterize a focal liver mass. A 2-person blind read determined benignancy or malignancy, comparative diagnosis, and accuracy on both ultrasonography and CEUS. Results were compared with the final diagnoses.


RESULTS
The 2 readers could not determine benignancy or malignancy in 77 (46.1%) and 46 (27.5%) of 167 unenhanced scans compared with 2 (1.2%) and 1 (0.6%) of 167 CEUS scans. The confidence level increased from 0 responses in the 2 highest grades (4 and 5) on the unenhanced scans to 135 (81.8%) and 132 (79.5%) of 167 at level 5 for CEUS. Regarding the diagnosis, the confidence level was lowest (grade 1) on the unenhanced scans in 128 (82.1%) and 79 (65.3%) of 167 for the 2 readers and improved to the highest (grade 5) in 110 (65.9%) and 113 (68.1%) of 167. Regarding diagnostic accuracy, the unenhanced scans agreed with the correct diagnosis in 85 (50.9%) and 63 (37.7%) of 167, and CEUS agreed with the correct diagnosis in 133 (79.6%) and 142 (85%) of 167 for readers 1 and 2, respectively. Recommendations for further imaging decreased from 166 (99.4%) and 147 (88%) of 167 on the unenhanced scans to 30 (18%) and 5 (3%) of 167 on CEUS for readers 1 and 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography improves the accuracy and confidence of diagnosis of focal liver lesions and reduces recommendations for further investigations.
Wilson
Stephanie R
SR
Department of Medical Imaging, Toronto General Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. stephanie.wilson@uhn.on.ca
Jang
Hyun-Jung
HJ
Kim
Tae Kyoung
TK
Burns
Peter N
PN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C042852:perflutren