Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosis and characterization of focal hepatic lesions

Table 2 Typical enhanced-ultrasound patterns in benign focal liver lesions

	Arterial phase	Portal phase	Late phase
Hemangioma	Peripheral nodular hyperenhancement with centripetal progression	Slow centripetal filling. The lesion becomes iso or hyperenhanced	Iso or hyperenhanced
Focal nodular hyperplasia	Hyperenhanced in the center of the lesion (central vessel) with fast centrifugal filling due to radial vascular branches: “wheel sign”	Iso or hyperenhanced	Iso or hyperenhanced. Sometimes the central scar can be seen
Adenoma	Highly hyperenhanced with complete filling and fast wash-out. No radial branches	Iso or hyperenhanced	Iso or hyperenhanced
Simple cist	No enhancement	No enhancement	No enhancement
Regenerative nodule	Isoenhanced	Isoenhanced	Isoenhanced
Focal fatty accumulation	Isoenhanced	Isoenhanced	Isoenhanced