OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical application of gray scale and color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of hepatic malignant cystic tumors.

METHODSCharacteristics of gray scale and color Doppler sonography were studied in 16 cases of malignant hepatic tumors confirmed by pathology. Tumor size, shape, number of lesion, thickness of cystic wall and echogenecity of the lesion were observed with gray scale sonography. Blood supply of the tumor and its velocity were observed with Color Doppler sonography.

RESULTSOne single lesion was common in primary malignancy while multiple lesions signified metastasis. Sonographic findings revealed that the shape of the tumor was spheroid in 8 cases, irregular in 5 and leaf-shaped in 3, with the diameter varying from 1.9 cm to 13.6 cm. Sonography showed malignant cystic tumor with irregular thick wall in 15 cases, multiple septa in 7 cases and papillary projections in 6 on gray scale. Color Doppler flow signal was detected in the irregular thick wall, multiple septa or papillary projections in 14 cases, of which the arterial blood flow signals were demonstrated in 13.

CONCLUSIONColor Doppler is able to clearly detect the blood flow signals in the irregular thick wall, multiple septa or papillary projections, providing an important sign for the diagnosis of hepatic malignant cystic tumors.