Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS) 2017 - a review of important differences compared to the CT/MRI system

Clin Mol Hepatol. 2017 Dec;23(4):280-289. doi: 10.3350/cmh.2017.0037. Epub 2017 Sep 15.

Abstract

Medical imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) was initially created to standardize the reporting and data collection of CT and MR imaging for patients at risk for HCC. As contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been widely used in clinical practice, it has recently been added to the LI-RADS. While CEUS LI-RADS shares fundamental concepts with CT/MRI LI-RADS, there are key differences between the modalities reflecting dissimilarities in the underlying methods of image acquisition and types of contrast material. This review introduces a recent update of CEUS LI-RADS and explains the key differences from CT/MRI LI-RADS.

Keywords: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Contrast Media; Diagnosis, Ultrasonic; Liver; Ultrasonography.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnostic imaging
  • Contrast Media / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Ultrasonography*

Substances

  • Contrast Media