Purpose: To evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the diagnosis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: CEUS and angiography were performed in ten cases of ruptured HCC. We evaluated whether this technique allowed us to determine the bleeding point by observing an extravasation of contrast media into the ascites.
Results: In four of the ten cases, CEUS demonstrated an extravasation of Levovist into ascites. Angiography showed an extravasation of contrast medium in three of these four cases. In three of the remaining six cases, in which CEUS did not show the presence of contrast medium in ascites, angiography demonstrated an extravasation. In eight cases, it yielded cessation of bleeding. In two cases, embolization was not successful. The bleeding point was not determined by CEUS or angiography in one case.
Conclusion: CEUS allows us to differentiate active bleeding (presence of contrast medium in the ascites) from nonactive bleeding.
Keywords: contrast-enhanced ultrasonography; hepatocellular carcinoma; rupture; ultrasound.