1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography with microbubble contrast agent improves characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma

Figure 3 A 74-year-old man with C-type cirrhosis and HCC (15. 4 mm in diameter) in the right liver. Comparison of contrast images obtained by 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography and 2^nd harmonic imaging. A: 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography image obtained by real-time continuous sonography in the early phase (20 s after injection). Abundant tumor vessels (arrows) with peripheral branching are seen; B: 1.5 Harmonic Imaging Sonography image obtained by real- time continuous sonography in the late phase (5 min after injection). Residual enhancement of some tumor vessels is seen, but the boundary between the tumor and the hepatic parenchyma is clearly demonstrated; C: 2^nd harmonic imaging obtained by real- time continuous sonography in the early phase (20 s after injection). The abundant and peripherally branching tumor vessels (arrows) cannot be clearly depicted; D: 2^nd harmonic imaging obtained by real-time continuous sonography in the late phase (5 min after injection). The boundary between the tumor and the hepatic parenchyma is somewhat obscure.