title: Characterization of focal liver lesions using contrast enhanced ultrasound as a first line method: a large monocentric experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a large monocentric experience in the characterization of focal liver lesions (FLLs) using Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Timisoara, including 1100 patients with 1329 FLLs evaluated between September 2009 and January 2013. A CEUS examination was considered conclusive if the FLL respected the typical enhancement pattern as described in the EFSUMB Guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the 1329 FLLs, CEUS was conclusive for a specific pathology in 1102 cases (82.9%). For the differentiation of benign/malignant lesions, CEUS reached a conclusive diagnosis in 1196 (90%) cases. The percentage of conclusive CEUS examinations was significantly higher in patients without chronic liver disease as compared with those with chronic hepatopathies: 87.3% vs. 74.4% (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CEUS patterns of enhancement fell into clear cut specific diagnostic patterns in 83% of the FLLs discovered by US, and into clear cut benign versus malignant patterns in 90% of the cases. For this reason, we can strongly recommend CEUS as a first line imaging method to characterize FLLs found at US, at least in centers with a good experience in CEUS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania. roxanasirli@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ioan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sporea
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martie
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bota
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Roxana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sirli
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Popescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Mirela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dănila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media