Small hepatocellular carcinoma: sonographic and pathologic correlation

Journal of Korean Society of Medical Ultrasound 1994;13(1): 1-6.

ABSTRACT

Purpose:
To document the correlation between the sonographic and histopathologic findings in smallhepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Material and methods : Twenty pathologically proven small HCC's (less than 3cm),obtained from 19 patients, were analyzed. The internal echogenicity, peripheral halo, posterior enhancement,mosaic pattern and lateral shadowing were correlated with histopathologic findings. Results : The internalechogenicity of the small HCC was hypoechoic in six cases, isoechoic in three, mixed echoic in five, andhyperechoic in six. Coagulation necrosis was seen four of five occasions with mixed echogenicity, three of sixwith hyperechogenicity, and one of six with hypoechogenicity. Hemorrhage was seen in only two of six withhyperechogenicity. Tumor capsule was seen in 8 of 10 cases of small HCC that showed peripheral halo. Conclusion :The coagulative necrosis, fatty metamorphosis and hemorrhage are thought to be responsible for the increase ininternal echogenicity of small HCC's, while the tumor capsule for the peripheral halo.

Keywords: liver neoplasms,US