Objective:

To explore the application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) by retrospectively analyzing the characteristics of two-dimensional ultrasound and CEUS of sHCC with diameter 2 cm.

Methods:

Sixty-five cases of sHCC first diagnosed by CEUS and confirmed by surgical or puncture pathology in Dahua Hospital from December 2010 to December 2019

were retrospectively analyzed. The size of the lesions

two-dimensional sonograms and enhancement mode of CEUS were statistically analyzed.

Results:

Among the 65 cases of sHCC

35 cases (53.85%) had lesion diameter less than 1.5 cm

and 30 cases (46.15%) had lesion diameter between 1.5 and 2.0 cm. There were 3 types of two-dimensional image manifestations: 40 cases of hypoecho (61.54%)

14 cases of isoecho (21.54%)

11 cases of hyperecho (16.92%)

respectively. Hypoecho was the main manifestation of sHCC. CEUS enhancement pattern was classified into 2 types: 34 cases (53.03%) were the typical fast wash-in and wash-out type; 31 cases (46.97%) of atypical fast wash-in and the same or slow wash-out typei all appeared in ＜1.5 cm HCC. The beginning wash-in

wash-out time and duration of enhancement were analyzed for ＜1.5 cm and 1.5-2.0 cm lesions

and the time of wash-out and duration of enhancement were statistically significant.

Conclusion:

There are statistical differences in CEUS wash-out time and enhancement pattern in sHCC with different diameters

andCEUS is helpful in the diagnosis of sHCC in clinic.