Diagnosis of Nodules ≤2 cm Based on US and CEUS Compared With Current Clinical Procedure

Arms (2)

1. type

   EXPERIMENTAL

   label

   Immediate CEUS group

   description

   CEUS (SonoVue) was performed immediately after routine US screening of suspicious lesions. The lesions were classified according to CEUS examination by the diagnosing physician, including consideration of HCC, suspected HCC, and benign lesions. Further hepatobiliary-specific MRI (Modis/Primexian) was performed for lesions considered HCC or suspicious for HCC, and benign lesions were followed up. The diagnostic findings of hepatobiliary-specific MRI were classified by the diagnosing physician and included consideration of HCC, suspected HCC, and benign lesions. For hepatobiliary-specific MRI lesions considered HCC or suspicious for HCC, pathological examination was performed, and benign lesions were followed up.

   interventionNames

   1. Diagnostic Test: Immediate CEUS

2. type

   NO_INTERVENTION

   label

   Current clinical procedure group

   description

   After the suspicious lesions were screened by routine US, CECT, CEMRI and hepatobiliary-specific MRI (the first enhanced imaging examination) were independently selected by clinicians. According to the first examination results of the contrast-enhanced image, the diagnosis was classified by the diagnosing physician, including considering HCC, suspicious HCC, and benign lesions. Another contrast-enhanced imaging examination (CECT or CEMRI or hepatobiliary-specific MRI or CEUS) was performed again for lesions considered or suspected of HCC (second contrast-enhanced imaging study), and negative lesions were followed up. According to the examination results of the second enhanced imaging, the classification includes considering HCC, suspicious HCC, and benign. Pathological examination was performed for lesions considered HCC or suspicious for HCC on the second enhanced image, and benign lesions were followed up.