Ultrasonography and computer tomography evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma with cytohistopathological correlation

Abstract

The prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Bangladesh is 35% among all liver diseases. Sonographic examinations were performed for the evaluation of 38 cases of HCC; then, CT examinations were done of these cases subsequently. Expert opinion was taken in each case for both modalities. Age, sex, clinical features, location of the hepatic lesion, multiplicity, echo-character, CT density, and, contrast enhancement were evaluated in all cases. Histocytopathology reports were collected from the patients and were correlated with the ultrasonography and CT findings. Thirty five cases were detected as HCC on ultrasonography and 36 cases in CT scan. In ultrasonography, most of the lesions (82.9%) were found in right lobe, maximum lesions (45.7%) were hypoechoic and lesion showed mosaic pattern in 68.6% cases, lateral shadowing in 34.3% and posterior acoustic enhancement in 45.7% cases. Significant difference found between mosaic pattern and lateral shadowing (p<0.05). On CT scan, majority of lesions (50%) were hypodense, 91.7% lesions were contrast enhanced. Pattern of enhancement was mostly heterogeneous. Both of the modalities found sensitive but CT was found more sensitive, specific and accurate than ultrasonography in detecting HCC. Copyright © 2007 by Bangladesh Medical Research Council.