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© 2008 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
J Ultrasound Med 27:657-666 • 0278-4297

Case Series

Real-time Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging of Infected Focal Liver Lesions

Guang-Jian Liu, MD, Ming-De Lu, MD, DMSc, Xiao-Yan Xie, MD, PhD, Hui-Xiong Xu, MD, PhD, Zuo-Feng Xu, MD, Yan-Ling Zheng, MD, Jin-Yu Liang, MD and Wei Wang, MD

Departments of Medical Ultrasonics (G.-J.L., X.-Y.X., H.-X.X., Z.-F.X., Y.-L.Z., J.-Y.L., W.W.) and Hepatobiliary surgery (M.-D.L.), First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Address correspondence to Ming-De Lu, MD, DMSc, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Rd 2, 510080 Guangzhou, China. E-mail: lumd{at}21cn.com

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the features of infected focal liver lesions on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods. Thirty-two hepatic abscesses, 15 infected granulomas, and 6 inflammatory pseudotumors in 53 patients were evaluated with real-time CEUS before awareness of the definitive diagnosis. A 2.4-mL dose of a sulfur hexafluoride–filled microbubble contrast agent was administered by intravenous bolus injection. Results. The numbers of abscesses with hyperenhancement, isoenhancement, and hypoenhancement in the arterial phase were 26 (81.3%), 5 (15.6%), and 1 (3.1%), respectively. Thirty (93.8%) lesions were irregularly rim enhanced with nonenhanced areas; enhanced septa were shown in 22 (68.8%) lesions; and transient hyperenhancement of liver parenchyma around the lesion was shown in 20 (62.5%). In 31 abscesses with hyperenhancement or isoenhancement in the arterial phase, 25 (80.6%) showed contrast wash-out and changed in appearance to hypoenhancement in the late phase. As for infected granulomas and inflammatory pseudotumors, 16 (76.2%) lesions showed hyperenhancement or isoenhancement in the arterial phase, and all of them were hypoenhanced in the portal and late phases. Conclusions. Most infected focal liver lesions showed more rapid contrast wash-out than the surrounding liver parenchyma, which is similar to malignant lesions. Abscesses typically showed features of rim enhancement, enhanced internal septa, nonenhanced central necrotic areas, and transient hyperenhanced liver parenchyma around the lesions. The CEUS appearance of infected granulomas and inflammatory pseudotumors was variable, and a biopsy was necessary for definitive diagnosis.

Key Words: contrast media • inflammation • liver • ultrasound

Abbreviations: CECT, contrast-enhanced computed tomography • CEUS, contrast-enhanced ultrasound • EFSUMB, European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology • FLL, focal liver lesion • MI, mechanical index • MRI, magnetic resonance imaging

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Copyright © 2008 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.