Mei Q, Yu M, Chen Q. Clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in early diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (≤ 2 cm). World J Clin Cases 2022; 10(24): 8525-8534 [PMID: 36157793 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i24.8525]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Qiong Chen, MSc, Chief Doctor, Department of Radiology, Shanghai Xuhui Dahua Hospital, No. 901 Old Humin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200237, China. cq1444@sina.com
Research Domain of This Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Article-Type of This Article
Retrospective Study
Open-Access Policy of This Article
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World J Clin Cases. Aug 26, 2022; 10(24): 8525-8534 Published online Aug 26, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i24.8525
Table 1 Baseline characteristics of patients grouped according to classification of their liver nodules
Category
Patients (n = 364)
P value
HCC (n = 65)
Non-HCC (n = 299)
Age (yr), mean ± SD
49.86 ± 0.84
60.40 ± 1.72
< 0.001
Male, n (%)
45 (69.23)
218 (72.90)
NS
Family history of HCC, n (%)
8 (12.31)
11 (3.67)
NS
BMI (kg/m2), n (%)
NS
> 28
4 (6.15)
28 (9.36)
≤ 28
61 (93.85)
211 (90.94)
HBV, n (%)
65 (100)
219 (73.24)
< 0.01
HCV, n (%)
2 (3.08)
24 (8.03)
NS
Alcohol cirrhosis, n (%)
2 (3.08)
5 (1.67)
NS
Diabetes, n (%)
8 (12.3)
46 (15.38)
NS
Table 2 Comparison of ultrasonographic characteristics between hepatocellular carcinoma and non-hepatocellular carcinoma nodules
Category
Nodules (n = 551)
P value
HCC (n = 65)
Non-HCC (n = 486)
Ultrasonographic characteristics, n (%)
< 0.05
Hyperecho
13 (20)
175 (36.01)
Isoecho
5 (7.69)
12 (2.47)
Hypoecho
47 (72.31)
299 (61.52)
Nodule size (mm)
14.6 ± 0.48
12.2 ± 10.27
< 0.05
Location, n (%)
NS
Left liver
9 (13.85)
77 (15.84)
Right liver
56 (86.15)
409 (84.16)
Table 3 Contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings in cirrhotic nodules, dysplastic nodules, and hepatocellular carcinoma
CEUS characteristic, n (%)
Nodules (n = 551)
P value
CN (n = 467)
DN (n = 19)
HCC (n = 65)
Arterial phase
< 0.05
Hyperecho
0
1 (5.26)
56 (83.60)
Isoecho
438 (93.79)
8 (42.11)
9 (16.40)
Hypoecho
29 (6.21)
10 (52.63)
0
Portal phase
< 0.05
Hyperecho
0
0
0
Isoecho
464 (99.36)
17 (89.47)
50 (72.71)
Hypoecho
3 (0.64)
2 (10.53)
15 (27.29)
Delayed phase
< 0.05
Hyperecho
0
0
0
Isoecho
464 (99.36)
17 (89.47)
27 (41.54)
Hypoecho
3 (0.64)
2 (10.53)
38 (58.46)
Table 4 Contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings in small hepatocellular carcinoma of different sizes
Category
Nodule size
P value
≤ 1 cm
1-2 cm
No.
13
52
Type of echo, n (%)
NS
Hyperecho
1 (7.69)
8 (15.38)
Isoecho
2 (15.38)
14 (26.92)
Hypoecho
10 (76.92)
30 (57.69)
Enhancement time (s), mean ± SD
15.12 ± 1.44
19.90 ± 0.61
< 0.05
Wash-out time (s), mean ± SD
115.20 ± 10.25
80.13 ± 13.18
NS
Arterial phase (0-30 s), n (%)
0
1 (1.92%)
Portal phase (31-120 s), n (%)
4 (30.77)
28 (53.85)
Delayed phase (121-360s), n (%)
1 (7.69)
4 (7.69)
> 360 s, n (%)
8 (61.54)
19 (36.54)
CEUS pattern, n (%)
< 0.05
Fast-in and fast-out
5 (38.46)
33 (63.46)
Fast-in and isochronous-out
8 (61.54)
19 (36.54)
Citation: Mei Q, Yu M, Chen Q. Clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in early diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (≤ 2 cm). World J Clin Cases 2022; 10(24): 8525-8534