Quantitative diagnosis of early-stage liver cirrhosis with contrast-enhanced ultrasound--a clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the quantitative diagnosis value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for early-stage liver cirrhosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 15 healthy subjects and 15 patients with cirrhosis were recruited into the present study, and the hepatic artery, portal vein, hepatic vein and liver parenchyma were dynamically monitored under ultrasonography and then qualified with the QLAB time-intensity curve to obtain the arriving time (AT) and the peak time (PT) of the hepatic artery, portal vein, hepatic vein and liver parenchyma. The hepatic artery to hepatic vein transit time (HA-HVTT = HVAT-HAAT) and portal vein to hepatic vein transit time (PV-HVTT = HVAT-PVAT) were calculated. RESULTS: The AT of the hepatic vein was significantly shorter than that in controls (P < 0.01); the HA-HVTT and PV-HVTT in cirrhosis patients were also significantly shorter than those in controls (P < 0.01). However, the PT in patients was significantly prolonged when compared with controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The AT of the hepatic vein, the transit time of the liver and the PT of liver parenchyma can be used as non-invasive indicators in the quantitative diagnosis of early-stage liver cirrhosis.

Evaluating the perfusion of occupying lesions of kidney and bladder with contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for occupying lesions of kidney and bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CEUS was performed for a total of 50 kidney and bladder occupying lesions in 47 cases, and CEUS manifestations of these lesions were observed and analyzed. Patterns of dynamic changes in perfusion phases of CEUS were summarized and compared with results of postoperative pathology, enhanced computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and follow-ups. RESULTS: CEUS results showed that there were 22 cases of malignant renal tumors, 11 cases of benign lesions, two cases of renal column hypertrophy, and 12 cases of malignant bladder tumors (15 lesions). Renal cell carcinoma exhibited various CEUS manifestation, with the majority showing fast filling and hyper-enhancement. CEUS manifestation of renal hamartoma was characterized by slow filling and slow outflow. Renal cystic lesions always exhibited no enhancement within the cysts. Renal column hypertrophy exhibited the same enhancement pattern as the renal cortex. CEUS manifestation of bladder carcinoma was mainly characterized by quick filling, quick outflow, and hyperenhancement. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS offers real-time observation of perfusion in occupying lesions of kidney and bladder, but the enhancement pattern of kidney occupying lesions was complex; therefore, combination of enhanced CT, MRI, and CEUS may be necessary.