Radiology, Vol 150, 793-796, Copyright © 1984 by Radiological Society of North America
Hepatocellular carcinoma with venous invasion. Sonographic-angiographic correlation
BR Subramanyam, EJ Balthazar, S Hilton, RS Lefleur, SC Horii and BN Raghavendra
Ultrasound was correlated with angiography for assessment of tumor
extension to the intrahepatic inferior vena cava, hepatic veins, and portal
vein branches in 15 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 85 cases of
hepatic metastases. Sonography revealed intraluminal tumor thrombus in 5
cases of HCC (33%), which were confirmed by angiography (sensitivity and
specificity = 100%), and in 1 case of hepatic metastases (1%). Sonography
was superior in depicting veins obscured or nonopacified on angiography,
which in turn demonstrated arteriovenous shunting not appreciated on
sonography. Used as the initial procedure for evaluation of venous
extension of HCC, ultrasound can suggest the histology (though this must be
confirmed by biopsy) and determine the feasibility of resection.
