Objective To investigate the diagnosis value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of the liver with ≤3 cm of maximum diameter. Methods The image characteristics in 48 lesions of HCC with maximum diameter≤3 cm and 48 lesions of FNH with maximum diameter≤3 cm confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed. The phase changes, enhancement patterns and enhancement characteristics of the lesions in the two groups were compared. Results All lesions in the two groups showed high-echo in the arterial phase. The contrast arrival time in HCC group and FNH group was 17(15, 19) s and 15(12, 18.75) s (P＝0.017); the peak time in the two groups was 21(17, 25) s and 22(19, 26) s (P＞0.05). The main enhancement patterns of HCC group and FNH group in arterial phase were homogeneous enhancement and centrifugal enhancement, respectively. All HCC lesions showed homogeneous enhancement, which was significantly higher than FNH (2.08%, P＜0.05); 97.91% of FHN lesions showed centrifugal enhancement, which was higher that of HCC lesions (0, P＜0.05). During the CEUS process, 87.5% of HCC lesions showed “rapid fill-in and rapid wash-out”, which was significantly higher than that of FNH lesions（8.33%，P＜0.05）; 91.67% of FNH lesions showed “rapid fill-in” and “synchronous/slow wash-out” which was significantly higher than that of HCC lesions （12.50%，P＜0.05）. Conclusion CEUS is helpful in the differential diagnosis of FNH and HCC with maximum diameter≤3 cm．

Objective:To establish a nomogram prediction model for recurrence within 2 years after radical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics.Methods:Clinical data from 405 HCC patients (including 327 males and 78 females), aged 60 (53, 66) years old, who underwent radical hepatectomy in the Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, from January to December 2021, were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into two groups: the training group ( n=283) and the validation group ( n=122). Based on recurrence within 2 years after surgery, the 283 patients in the training group were further categorized into the recurrence group ( n=73) and the non-recurrence group ( n=210). Among the 122 patients in the validation group, 33 had recurrence within 2 years, while 89 did not. Data on age, microvascular invasion, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), AFP lentil lectin-reactive fraction (AFP-L3), protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II), tumor number, and enhancement homogeneity were collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the training group to identify risk factors associated with postoperative recurrence, and a nomogram model for predicting HCC recurrence was constructed based on these factors. Calibration curves were used to compare the consistency between predicted and actual outcomes in both the training and validation groups. Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age ( OR=0.976, 95% CI: 0.953-1.000, P=0.004), higher AFP-L3 ( OR=1.066, 95% CI: 1.014-1.120, P=0.012), higher PIVKA-II ( OR=1.000, 95% CI: 1.000-1.001, P=0.042), multiple tumors ( OR=0.399, 95% CI: 0.225-0.706, P=0.038), and heterogeneous enhancement ( OR=0.472, 95% CI: 0.243-0.916, P=0.045) were significant risk factors for recurrence after partial hepatectomy in HCC patients. The nomogram constructed based on these variables had a C-index of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81-0.93) in the training group and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.77-0.89) in the validation group. The calibration curves for predicting recurrence within 2 years after partial hepatectomy in HCC patients showed a high degree of fit in both the training and validation groups, indicating a good agreement between predicted and actual outcomes. Conclusion:The nomogram model constructed based on preoperative clinical and ultrasonographic characteristics can effectively predict the risk of recurrence within 2 years after radical resection of HCC.

Objective:To evaluate the value of shear wave dispersion imaging in identifying inflammatory reaction zone after liver ablation in rabbits.Methods:The animal model was made by laser ablation of rabbit liver, and then shear wave dispersion imaging and strain elastography imaging were performed on the ablation area at 3 d, 7 d, and 14 d after ablation. The shear wave dispersion values, elastic value and strain ratio measured by shear wave elastography, shear wave dispersion and strain elastography in different regions such as central necrotic tissue, surrounding inflammatory reaction zone and normal liver tissue after ablation were analyzed.Results:The shear wave dispersion values of inflammatory reaction zone around ablation site, necrotic tissue in the center of ablation site and normal liver tissue in rabbits were (26.07±4.55)m·s -1·kHz -1, (21.97±10.53)m·s -1·kHz -1and (15.45±3.94)m·s -1·kHz -1, respectively, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Compared with the three time points of 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after ablation, the shear wave dispersion value of the inflammatory zone was the highest on the 7th day after ablation ( P<0.05), while the elastic value and strain ratio in this region did not change significantly among these three time points ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Shear wave dispersion imaging can simultaneously measure tissue elasticity and viscosity, which has certain application value in identifying the inflammatory reaction zone around the ablation site in rabbit liver.

Objective To explore the clinical value of virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) technique in the diagnosis of acute rejection of transplant kidney at different stages. Methods Clinical data of 170 renal transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed. According to the time of VTQ examination and the occurrence of acute rejection after renal transplantation, the recipients within 4 weeks and after 4 weeks post-renal transplantation were assigned into the normal renal function group (n=41, 51) and acute rejection group (n=22, 56). Clinical ultrasound parameters at different stages after renal transplantation were compared between two groups. The diagnostic value of ultrasound parameters in acute rejection at different stages after renal transplantation was evaluated. Results Within 4 weeks post-renal transplantation, the resistance index (RI) and shear wave velocity (SWV) in the acute rejection group were significantly higher than those in the normal renal function group (both P < 0.001). After 4 weeks post-renal transplantation, the SWV in the acute rejection group was significantly higher than that in the normal renal function group (P < 0.001). The area under curve (AUC) of RI and SWV in the diagnosis of acute rejection were 0.729 and 0.803 respectively within 4 weeks post-renal transplantation, which were 0.478 and 0.794 respectively after 4 weeks post-renal transplantation. The diagnostic value of SWV was higher than RI (P < 0.05). The cutoff value of SWV in the diagnosis of acute rejection within 4 weeks post-renal transplantation was considerably higher than that after 4 weeks post-renal transplantation. Conclusions VTQ technique can effectively assist in diagnosing acute rejection of transplant kidney at different stages.

Objective To explore the characteristics and differences of micro-perfusion between patients after transplant kidney with stable renal function,acute rejection and chronic rejection by contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) quantifying.Methods Thirty-three patients with stable renal function,27 patients with acute rejection and 14 patients with chronic rejection were enrolled.The perfusion parameters of region of interest in renal cortex and medulla were obtained by CEUS offline data quantitative analysis software.The perfusion parameters in stable renal function group were compared with those in acute rejection and chronic rejection groups;furthermore,the value of color Doppler and CEUS in the diagnosis of chronic rejection was explored and compared.Results As for resistance index RI on color Doppler,it made no statistical difference among three groups (P＞0.05).The perfusion parameters derived from CEUS quantitative analysis and Color Doppler parameter resistance index (RI) were not statistically different among renal function stabilization,acute rejection and chronic rejection groups (P＞0.05);as compared with stable renal function group,there were marked reductions in peak intensity of cortex (PIc),peak intensity of medulla (PIm),ascending slope of cortex (a3c),ascending slope of medulla (a3m) and area under the curve of cortex (AUCc) in chronic rejection group.And mean transit time of cortex (MTTc) and mean transit time of medulla (MTTm) became significantly prolonged (P＜ 0.05).Except for a3m,PIc and PIm were not significantly different between stable renal function and acute rejection groups (P＜ 0.05).As compared with acute rejection group,MTTc and MTTm were significantly prolonged in chronic rejection group while AUCm and PIm declined markedly (P＜0.05).When PIm＜26.7dB,the diagnostic efficiency of chronic rejection was the highest and the sensitivity and specificity were 85.7％ and 72.7％ respectively.Conclusions As compared with color Doppler,CEUS quantitative parameters based on S-G filter theory can evaluate the micro-perfusion of transplant kidney more precisely and may provide diagnostic clue for chronic rejection.

Objective To evaluate the value in the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia( FNH) by combining micro-flow imaging ( MFI) and color Doppler flow imaging ( CDFI) . Methods A total of 32 patients with 32 FNH lesions were enrolled in this study . Each patient underwent CDFI ,MFI ,and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography ( CEUS ) examinations . The differences in the grade and characteristic distribution of blood flow in FNH were compared between CDFI and MFI . The results were further compared with CEUS . Results There was a significant difference between MFI and CDFI in detecting the blood flow in FNH . Twenty-six cases (81 .3％ ) were detected with blood flow of grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ by MFI , however , 18 cases ( 56 .3％ ) were detected of grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ by CDFI ( P = 0 .000) . A total of 12 (37 .5％ ) lesions were correctly showed spoke-wheel arterial flow peculiar by CDFI ,whereas the number increased to 23(71 .9％ ) in combination with MFI( P = 0 .013) . Conclusions In combination with MFI , CDFI can reveal more blood flow and detect more sensitively in FNH ,which helps to diagnose FNH . To a certain degree ,it can be applied to reduce the use of CEUS .

Objective To evaluate the imaging features of hepatic epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Methods The imaging features of pathologically proved hepatic EAML lesions in 17 patients who had undergone baseline ultrasound and CEUS examinations were evaluated retrospectively. Results All of the cases were single lesion.70.6% (12/17) of the lesions were hypoechoic on ultrasound and 82.4% (14/17) of the lesions were heterogeneous.Flow signals were detected in 88.2% (15/17) of the lesions and 82.4% (14/17) of the lesions showed ringlike or arc arterials peripherally on color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI).The value of RI was 0.38-0.56.On CEUS,all lesions exhibited remarkable hyperenhancement in the arterial phase. 29.4% (5/17) of the lesions showed branched enhancement,70.6% (12/17) of the lesions showed diffusely entire enhancement.Strong ring-like enhancement peripherally was detected in 29.4% (5/17) of the lesions.88.2% (15/17) of the lesions were detected homogeneously enhancement during the peak period on CEUS. Washout of contrast agent and hypoechogenicity to surrounding liver tissue during portal or late phase were observed in 41.2% (7/17) and 64.7% (11/17) of the cases retrospectively.Conclusions The combination of real-time CEUS and baseline US can improve the correct diagnosis of hepatic EAML.

Objective To explore the characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasonagraphy(CEUS) of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma ( SHC ) . Methods Fifteen lesions identified pathologically from 15 patients were included in this study . Among them ,9 lesions had completely sarcomatoid change and 6 lesions had partially sarcomatoid change . Totally 8 lesions were in the small size group with maximum diameter＜ 50 mm and 7 lesions in the big size group with maximum diameter ≥ 50 mm . The CEUS performance was observed and analyzed . Results In the arterial phase of CEUS ,9 lesions in the group with completely sarcomatoid change showed rim hyperenhancement and 6 lesions in the group with partially sarcomatoid change showed whole hyperenhancement , the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P ＜ 0 .001 ) . However ,the difference of CEUS performance between small size group and big size group was not statistically significant ( P ＝ 0 .608 ) , all the lesions showed hypoechogenecity in portal and(or) late phase of CEUS . Conclusions The difference of performance on CEUS is not related to the size of SHC ,but to the degree of sarcomatoid change within the tumor . SHC with completely sarcomatoid change shows rim hyperenhancement and SHC with partially sarcomatoid change shows entire hyperenhancement in arterial phase on CEUS .

Objective To analyze the typical contrast-enhanced ultrasound ( CEUS ) enhancement characteristics of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia ( FNH) within 3 cm ,and to discuss the diagnostic value of CEUS in small FNH lesions . Methods Forty-eight cases of FNH were retrospectively studied . All lesions were confirmed histopathologically after surgical resection . CEUS examinations with SonoVue were performed to characterize the enhancement patterns of lesions in 5 minutes . The whole wash in and wash out enhancement procedure of lesions were recorded and analyzed . Results All FNH lesions displayed a rapid hyper-enhancement in arterial phase by CEUS ,39 lesions of which showed spring-like enhancement ;8 lesions showed spoke-like enhancement ;1 lesion showed dendritic enhancement . 6 .3% (3/48) of the lesions showed central scar ,and feeding arteries was found in 52 .1% (25/48) lesions . According to echogenicity shift of the lesions in various phases ,20 .8% (10/48) FNH showed fast-in and slow-out" ,64 .6% (31/48) showed fast-in and synchronous-out" ,and 14 .6% (7/48) showed fast-in and fast-out" . According to fast-in and synchronous-out" or fast-in and slow-out" by CEUS ,the accuracy rate of benignity reached 85 .4% (41/48) . According to any of the spring-like enhancement ,spoke-like enhancement ,central scars or feeding arteries ,the accuracy rate of diagnosis of FNH within 3 cm reached 97 .9% (47/48) ,and 81 .3%(39/48) of which were diagnosed through spring-like enhancement . Conclusions CEUS is helpful in diagnosis of FNH within 3 cm by showing various characteristic enhancement patterns ,and spring-like enhancement is the most important sign in diagnosis of FNH less than 3 cm . CEUS has high diagnostic value for FN H less than 3 cm .

Objective To investigate the imaging features of dysplastic nodules with a focus of hepatocellular carcinoma ( DN-HCC ) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound ( CEUS ) and to improve the diagnostic accuracy . Methods The clinical data of 60 patients and CEUS imaging of 62 hepatic nodules [DN-HCCs , n =54 ;dysplastic nodules (DN) , n =8] pathologically proved were reviewed retrospectively . According to Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS) , the lesions were categorized . Results Significantly different CEUS patterns between DN-HCCs and DNs were observed ( P < 0 .05) . During the arterial phase ,54 DN-HCC lesions showed various enhancement patterns [ hypervascular ,59 .3％ ( 32/54 ) ;nodule-in-nodule ,9 .3％ ( 5/54 ) ;isovascular ,13 .0％ ( 7/54 ) and hypovascular ,18 .5％ (10/54)] . Of the 54 DN-HCC lesions ,44 .4％ (24/54) showed washout during the late phase .Of the 8 DN lesions ,62 .5％ (5/8) showed iso-enhancement during the arterial phase ,25％ (2/8) showed hypo-enhancement ,and 12 .5％ (1/8) showed hyper-enhancement . No DN lesion showed washout during the late phase .According to CEUS LI-RADS (LR) algorithm ,27 .8％ (15/54) DN-HCCs were LR-5 ,46 .3％ (25/54) DN-HCCs were LR-4 ,25 .9％ (14/54) DN-HCCs and 100％ (8/8) DNs were LR-3 . Regarding hyper-enhancement ( including local hyper-enhancement ) during the arterial phase or hypo-enhancement (including local hypo-enhancement) during the late phase as the diagnostic standard of DN-HCC , the diagnostic sensitivity , specificity and accuracy value were 83 .3％ , 87 .5％ and 83 .9％ , respectively . Conclusions The imaging features of hyper-enhancement during the arterial phase or hypo-enhancement during the late phase on CEUS are useful to diagnose DN-HCCs .