Yue-Ling Peng1, Li-Ping Liu2, Yan-Jing Zhang2, Jing-Jing Liu2, Xiao-Ling Yu3. 1. Department of Nephrology, Shanxi People's Hospital, Taiyuan, 030001, China. 2. Department of Ultrasound, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China. 3. Department of Interventional Ultrasound, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China. yuxl0182@outlook.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Focal lesions in fatty liver are difficult to diagnose using conventional ultrasonography (CVUS). The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of solitary necrotic nodules (SNNs) in fatty liver using CVUS and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and to evaluate the diagnostic value of CEUS for SNNs in fatty liver. METHODS: Fifteen SNNs in the fatty liver of fifteen patients were examined by both CVUS and CEUS. The contrast agent SonoVue was used for CEUS. The characterization and shape of these SNNs in the fatty liver were analyzed using CEUS. RESULTS: CVUS revealed eight oval-shaped, six irregularly shaped, and one wedge-shaped SNN in the fatty liver. The six irregularly shaped lesions on CVUS were revealed to comprise four gourd-shaped, one serpiginous, and one 3-pin socket-shaped nodule on CEUS. One of these SNNs showed a subcapsular wedge shape, with peripheral and distinct internal septal hyperenhancement in the arterial phases that washed out in the portal phase; moreover, most areas of th lesion showed no internal enhancement in any of the three phases. Fourteen of the lesions were characterized as lacking internal enhancement, and 12 of them had mild-moderate peripheral thin enhancement in the arterial phases. Twelve of the 15 nodules could be considered for diagnosis as SNNs by CEUS, which was further proved by US-guided biopsy and histopathology. However none of them could be considered for diagnosis as SNNs by CVUS. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS is a valuable tool for visualizing the characteristics of SNNs in fatty liver to improve the differential diagnosis.
PURPOSE: Focal lesions in fatty liver are difficult to diagnose using conventional ultrasonography (CVUS). The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of solitary necrotic nodules (SNNs) in fatty liver using CVUS and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and to evaluate the diagnostic value of CEUS for SNNs in fatty liver. METHODS: Fifteen SNNs in the fatty liver of fifteen patients were examined by both CVUS and CEUS. The contrast agent SonoVue was used for CEUS. The characterization and shape of these SNNs in the fatty liver were analyzed using CEUS. RESULTS: CVUS revealed eight oval-shaped, six irregularly shaped, and one wedge-shaped SNN in the fatty liver. The six irregularly shaped lesions on CVUS were revealed to comprise four gourd-shaped, one serpiginous, and one 3-pin socket-shaped nodule on CEUS. One of these SNNs showed a subcapsular wedge shape, with peripheral and distinct internal septal hyperenhancement in the arterial phases that washed out in the portal phase; moreover, most areas of th lesion showed no internal enhancement in any of the three phases. Fourteen of the lesions were characterized as lacking internal enhancement, and 12 of them had mild-moderate peripheral thin enhancement in the arterial phases. Twelve of the 15 nodules could be considered for diagnosis as SNNs by CEUS, which was further proved by US-guided biopsy and histopathology. However none of them could be considered for diagnosis as SNNs by CVUS. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS is a valuable tool for visualizing the characteristics of SNNs in fatty liver to improve the differential diagnosis.
Authors: Giampiero Francica; Maria Franca Meloni; Laura Riccardi; Ilario de Sio; Eugenio Caturelli; Fulvia Terracciano; Francesco Giangregorio; Jason Chiang; Roberta Danzi; Antonella Marra; Marco Niosi; Teresa Valentina Ranalli; Maurizio Pompili Journal: Ultraschall Med Date: 2021-08-25 Impact factor: 6.548