Small hepatic nodules surrounding hepatocellular carcinoma
Ezaki, T.; Koyanagi, N.; Yamagata, M.; Kajiyama, K.; Maeda, T.; Sugimachi, K.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 43(11): 1182-1184
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 8908548 Document Number: 468834
Background/Aims: We investigated whether or not small hepatic nodules surrounding the main hepatocellular carcinoma were malignant, while also analyzing the role of intraoperative ultrasonography in detecting these small nodules. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three small hepatic nodules near the main tumor in 17 patients were retrospectively studied. They were first detected either during or after the operation using intraoperative ultrasonography and/or after examining a cross-section of the resected specimen. Results: Twenty-six of the 33 small nodules were shown to be malignant when studied histologically (79%). The reliability of intraoperative ultrasonography was higher than 80 per cent for detecting nodules measuring more than 5 mm in diameter. However, it was only 25 per cent reliable with smaller nodules measuring less than or equal to 5 mm. Conclusions: These results suggest that most small hepatic nodules with hepatocellular carcinoma should be considered to be malignant. In addition, smaller nodules measuring less than 5 mm in size can hardly be detected by intraoperative ultrasonography.