Objective:

To analyze and compare the imaging ch

aracteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) for improving the accuracy in diagnosis of liver focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH).

Methods:

Seventy-four patients with liver FNH confirmed by surgical resection were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent CEUS and CEMRI before surgery. The imaging features in CEUS and CEMRI of FNH lesions were retrospectively analyzed and compared.

Results:

A total of 74 FNH lesions were selected from 74 patients with FNH. All FNH lesions in the CEUS arterial phase showed rapid hyperechoic enhancement (100.0%). With the advantage of CEUS dynamic real-time observation

spring-like enhancement was observed in 45.9% (34/74) lesions

and 21.6% (16/74) showed a spoke-like enhancement. An unenhanced central scar was found in 32.4% (24/74) lesions

and a distorted peripheral feeding artery was found in 78.4% (58/74) lesions. According to the changes in enhancement and regression of lesions in CEUS

33.8% (25/74) showed fast-in and slow-out

and 59.5% (44/74)showed fast-in and synchronous-out

6.8% (5/74) showed fast-in and fast-out. CEMRI showed that all FNH lesions were hyper-enhancement (100%) relative to the liver parenchyma. According to the changes of enhancement and regression of the lesions at various stages of CEMRI

50% (37/74) showed fast-in and slow-out

39.2% (29/74) showed fast-in and synchronous-out

and 10.8% (8/74) showed fast-in and fast-out. An unenhanced central scar was found in 59.5% (44/74) of the lesions during arterial phase

with slowly enhancing in delayed phase. A distorted feeding artery was found in periphery of 29.7% (22/74) lesions. The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS was 90.5% (67/74)

the diagnostic accuracy of CEMRI was 87.8% (65/74) (

P

＞0.05).

Conclusion:

FNH has certain characteristics in both CEUS and CEMRI imaging. CEUS has the advantage of characterize spring-like enhancement and spoke-like enhancement of FNH in real time

and ce

ntral scar and peripheral feeding artery of FNH can also be observed

while CEMRI is more sensitive to detect central scars. Combination of the two imaging methods can improve diagnostic accuracy of FNH and help guide the selection of clinical treatment.