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Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) for the Diagnosis and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Status and Future Trends

  • Hepatic Cancer (A Singal and A Mufti, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Hepatology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review discusses the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for liver lesion detection and characterization focusing on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It reviews the uses of CEUS in managing patients with HCC, such as in image-guided intervention, assessment of tumor viability after locoregional treatment, and differentiation of bland from tumor thrombus. Finally, it highlights potential future uses of microbubbles in targeted HCC detection and drug delivery.

Recent Findings

The high temporal resolution of ultrasound relative to CT and MRI and its sensitivity to microbubbles enables precise analysis of enhancement profiles at miniscule contrast doses, enabling confident diagnosis of HCC and differentiation of HCC from other benign and malignant hepatic lesions.

Summary

CEUS has gained widespread acceptance worldwide for the diagnosis and management of patients with HCC. CEUS is poised to make a large clinical impact in the USA given the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of a CEUS agent for use in liver imaging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive, MC 0834, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA

    Christopher D. Malone

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA

    Robert F. Mattrey & David T. Fetzer

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  1. Christopher D. Malone
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Correspondence to David T. Fetzer.

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Dr. Christopher D. Malone and Dr. David T. Fetzer declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Dr. Robert F. Mattrey declares honorarium payment from Bracco Diagnostic Inc., outside of the submitted work.

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Malone, C.D., Mattrey, R.F. & Fetzer, D.T. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) for the Diagnosis and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Status and Future Trends. Curr Hepatology Rep 15, 307–316 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-016-0324-8

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