Objective:

To compare the image findings of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in 1 cm hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:

To analyze and compare the phase changes (arterial phase

portal phase and delayed phase) of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and DCE-MRI for 53 cases of 1 cm HCC lesions confirmed by postoperative pathology.

Results:

All of the 53 lesions (53

/53) confirmed of single 1 cm HCC had showed different degrees of enhancement in contrast-enhanced ultrasound and DCE-MRI. And 47.17% (25/53) had showed hypo-enhanced on both two methods in portal phase

while 22.64% (12/53) had showed hyper-enhanced or iso-enhanced. In the late phase

62.26% (33/53) had showed hypo-echoic/iso-intensity

and 7.55% (4/53) had presented as persistent enhancement on both two methods. 54.72% (29/53) of the patients with 1 cm HCC had showed the same dynamic enhancement and washout process during the whole process. The difference between the two imaging methods in the phase changes of portal phase and late phase was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and DCE-MRI have the same phase changes in the diagnosis of 1 cm HCC

and both methods can reflect the hemodynamic characteristics of 1 cm HCC.