Clinical significance of hyperechogenic focal lesions of the cirrhotic liver
Giorgio, A.; Amoroso, P.; de Stefano, G.; Fico, P.; Tarantino, L.; Lettieri, G.; Pierri, P.; Finelli, L.; Pierri, G.
La Radiologia Medica 75(3): 173-176
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-8362 PMID: 2451843 Document Number: 322225
A review was made of the ultrasonographic (US) examinations performed over the period 1981-1986; 27 cirrhotic patients with hyperechoic liver lesions were identified, whose diagnoses had been made by means of either US-guided percutaneous biopsy, or laparoscopy, or autopsy. In 24 patients hepatocellular carcinomas nodules (HCC) were found, associated with cirrhosis, while in 3 cases only cirrhosis was seen. In the above mentioned 3 cases, a 2-year US follow-up showed no variation in the size of the nodules. These data confirm the importance of US in the screening of risk HCC patients, and point out that--however small--hyperechoic lesions in a cirrhotic liver suggest the cancerization of the substanding cirrhosis.