This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wang, Z. Articles by Xu, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wang, Z. Articles by Xu, J.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for Assessment of Tumor Vascularity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Department of Ultrasound, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Address correspondence to Zhili Wang, MD, Department of Ultrasound, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, 100853 Beijing, China. E-mail: wangzhililg{at}126.com

Objective. Studies have shown that angiogenesis is a critical factor for tumor growth and metastasis in a variety of human tumors. Although various methods have been tried to assess vessels in tumors, including microvessel density (MVD), assessment of tumor vessels by radiologic techniques is not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in determining the tumor vascularity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was done in 50 patients with HCC, which was shown histopathologically through subsequent hepatic resection. A contrast pulse sequencing technique and quantitative auto-tracking contrast quantification software were used to analyze the peak intensity (PI) of HCC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the level of MVD in HCC. Then the relationship between PI and the level of MVD was analyzed. Results. The mean PIs of HCC and peripheral tissue ± SD were 135.19 ± 28.16 and 72.91 ± 19.22 dB, respectively. The MVDs of HCC and peripheral tissue were 43.44 ± 12.22 and 17.14 ± 9.18, respectively. The values of PI and MVD of HCC were significantly higher than those of peripheral tissue. A significant correlation was found between PI and MVD in HCC tissues (P < .05). Conclusions. The PI in CEUS could reflect the MVD in HCC. Therefore, quantification of CEUS seems to be helpful for assessment of tumor vascularity in HCC.

Key Words: contrast-enhanced ultrasonography • hepatocellular carcinoma • microvessel density • peak intensity

Abbreviations: ACQ, autotracking contrast quantification • CEUS, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography • CT, computed tomography • HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma • MI, mechanical index • MVD, microvessel density • PI, peak intensity • ROI, region of interest

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Turkbey, H. Kobayashi, M. Ogawa, M. Bernardo, and P. L. Choyke Imaging of Tumor Angiogenesis: Functional or Targeted? Am. J. Roentgenol., August 1, 2009; 193(2): 304 - 313. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. FURLOW Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Radiol. Technol., July 1, 2009; 80(6): 547S - 561S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Xiong, Y.-B. Deng, Y. Zhu, Y.-N. Liu, and X.-J. Bi Correlation of Carotid Plaque Neovascularization Detected by Using Contrast-enhanced US with Clinical Symptoms Radiology, May 1, 2009; 251(2): 583 - 589. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Du, F.-H. Li, H. Fang, J.-G. Xia, and C.-X. Zhu Correlation of Real-time Gray Scale Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography With Microvessel Density and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression for Assessment of Angiogenesis in Breast Lesions J. Ultrasound Med., June 1, 2008; 27(6): 821 - 831. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]