Detection of an occult hepatocellular carcinoma using ultrasound with liver-specific microbubbles

The radiological surveillance of cirrhosis to detect the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is problematic because no highly sensitive and specific imaging investigation is available. Ultrasound is typically the first modality used but is less accurate than other imaging modalities. We re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European radiology 2002-12, Vol.12 Suppl 3 (S3), p.S70-S73
Main Authors: Harvey, Christopher J, Lim, Adrian K P, Blomley, Martin J K, Taylor-Robinson, Simon D, Gedroyc, Wladyslaw M W, Cosgrove, David O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnosis
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - secondary
Contrast Media
Ferric Compounds
Humans
Iron
Liver Cirrhosis - complications
Liver Cirrhosis - diagnosis
Liver Neoplasms - diagnosis
Liver Neoplasms - secondary
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Neoplasms, Unknown Primary - diagnosis
Neoplasms, Unknown Primary - etiology
Oxides
Sensitivity and Specificity
Ultrasonography, Interventional
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Summary:The radiological surveillance of cirrhosis to detect the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is problematic because no highly sensitive and specific imaging investigation is available. Ultrasound is typically the first modality used but is less accurate than other imaging modalities. We report the first case of a patient with cirrhosis in whom US imaging with liver-specific microbubbles detected an HCC prior to its detection by MR. The use of liver-specific microbubble US contrast agents is an exciting development in the detection of HCC in chronic liver disease and may help to rectify some of the shortcomings of US.
ISSN:0938-7994
1432-1084
DOI:10.1007/s00330-002-1593-x