To explore the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with imaging navigation in the diagnosis and treatment of small liver cancer.
Methods:
Twenty-four patients with small liver cancer admitted to Zhongshan Hospital
Fudan U
niversity from Sep. 2017 to Dec. 2018 were involved in the study. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed intrahepatic enhanced lesions
which were not clearly displayed on conventional ultrasound
and then ultrasound navigation was performed. The enhancement appearance and detection rate of the lesions by CEUS combined with imaging navigation were analyzed. All the lesions were diagnosed definitely
localized before minimally invasive treatment and followed up after treatment.
Results:
Twenty-six lesions of 24 patients were included in the study. All the patients underwent MRI-CEUS image fusion navigation
and the success rate of fusion was 100%. The size of all the 26 lesions was less than 20 mm. Eight lesions were isoechoic
10 lesions were hypoechoic and the other 10 lesions were hyperechoic on conventional ultrasound. Eighteen lesions (18/26
69.2%) were detected by CEUS alone
whereas all the 26 lesions (26/26
100%) were detected by MRI-CEUS image fusion navigation. And there existed statistically significant difference (
P
=0.004) between them. In real-time MRI-CEUS navigation
16 lesions (61.5%
16/26) showed rapid enhancement in the arterial phase
and 10 showed synchronous enhancement. In the portal phase
18lesions (69.2%
18/26) were isoechoic and 8 were hypoechoic. In the delayed phase
10 lesions (38.5%
10/26) were isoechoic and the other 16 lesions (61.5%
16/26) were hypoechoic. After the examinations
4 patients underwent surgical resection
10 underwent radiofrequency ablation or alcohol injection treatment
and 4 underwent interventional treatment. The other 6 patients underwent radiofrequency ablation treatment after follow-up for half a year. All the lesions showed complete necrosis on enhanced MRI during follow-up.
Conclusion:
CEUS combined with imaging navigation can significantly improve the detection rate of small liver cancer and guide the choice of treatment options. It is worthy of clinical application.