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CEUS LI-RADS: algorithm, implementation, and key differences from CT/MRI

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Abstract

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a specialized form of ultrasound (US) performed with an intravenous injection of microbubble contrast agents. It has been successfully used for a variety of applications including characterization of liver tumors. In April 2014, the American College of Radiology (ACR) convened a working group of international experts to develop ACR CEUS Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS). An initial version of CEUS LI-RADS was published in August 2016. Although the CEUS LI-RADS concept and principles for liver lesion characterization, using dynamic contrast enhancement features, are similar to those for CT or MRI, there are significant differences between CT/MRI and CEUS LI-RADS. Therefore, CEUS LI-RADS has different diagnostic features and a unique characterization algorithm. The size of a lesion, the type and degree of arterial phase enhancement, the presence of washout, and the timing and degree of washout are the major features used for categorization. This paper describes key differences between CT/MRI and CEUS, and provides a diagnostic algorithm of CEUS LI-RADS with detailed, step-by-step instructions and imaging examples of CEUS LI-RADS categories.

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Abbreviations

CEUS:

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

LI-RADS:

Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System

ICC:

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

ACR:

American College of Radiology

AASLD:

American Association for the Study of Liver Disease

APHE:

Arterial phase hyperenhancement

APS:

Arterioportal shunts

TIV:

Tumor in vein

MDD:

Multi-Disciplinary Discussion

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Acknowledgement

Images are from the University of Calgary using the contrast agent Definity (Lantheus Medical Imaging, Billerica MA).

Author information

Author notes

  1. Deceased: David Cosgrove

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, 1403 29 Street NW, Calgary, T2N 2T9, Canada

    Stephanie R. Wilson

  2. Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 132 S. 10th Street, 763G Main Bldg, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Andrej Lyshchik

  3. Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy

    Fabio Piscaglia

  4. Hammersmith hospital, London, UK

    David Cosgrove

  5. King’s College Hospital, London, UK

    David Cosgrove

  6. Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, 585 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2N2, Canada

    Hyun-Jung Jang

  7. Department of Radiology, University of California, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA

    Claude Sirlin

  8. Caritas Krankenhaus Bad Mergentheim, Uhlandstraße 7, 97980, Bad Mergentheim, Germany

    Christoph F. Dietrich

  9. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Tae Kyoung Kim

  10. Stanford University, Stanford, USA

    Juergen K. Willmann

  11. Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of California, 200 West Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA

    Yuko Kono

Authors
  1. Stephanie R. Wilson
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  2. Andrej Lyshchik
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  3. Fabio Piscaglia
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  4. David Cosgrove
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  5. Hyun-Jung Jang
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  6. Claude Sirlin
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  7. Christoph F. Dietrich
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  8. Tae Kyoung Kim
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  9. Juergen K. Willmann
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  10. Yuko Kono
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuko Kono.

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Wilson, S.R., Lyshchik, A., Piscaglia, F. et al. CEUS LI-RADS: algorithm, implementation, and key differences from CT/MRI. Abdom Radiol 43, 127–142 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-017-1250-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-017-1250-0

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