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

Christopher D. Malone, Robert F. Mattrey, David T. Fetzer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)307-316
Number of pages10
JournalCurrent Hepatology Reports
Volume15
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2016

Keywords

  • CEUS
  • Contrast agents
  • Contrast-enhanced ultrasound
  • HCC
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Microbubbles
  • Tumor thrombus
  • Ultrasound

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