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Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2008; 14(24): 3908-3913
Published online Jun 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.3908
Assessment of hepatic VX2 tumors with combined percutaneous transhepatic lymphosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging
Cun Liu, Ping Liang, Yang Wang, Pei Zhou, Xin Li, Zhi-Yu Han, Shao-Ping Liu
Cun Liu, Shao-Ping Liu, Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
Ping Liang, Yang Wang, Pei Zhou, Xin Li, Zhi-Yu Han, Department of Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing 100853, China
Author contributions: Liu C, Liang P and Liu SP designed the research; Liu C, Zhou P and Li X performed the research; Han ZY carried out the statistical analysis; Yang W helped write and correct the paper; Liang P and Liu SP supervised the organization process.
Correspondence to: Shao-Ping Liu, Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China. liu.sp3000@163.com
Telephone: +86-10-66939530
Fax: +86-10-88210006
Received: April 2, 2008
Revised: May 23, 2008
Accepted: May 30, 2008
Published online: June 28, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic lymphosonography (PTL) as a novel method for the detection of tumor lymphangiogenesis in hepatic VX2 of rabbits and to evaluate combined PTL and routine contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging for the diagnosis of liver cancer.

METHODS: Ten rabbits with VX2 tumor were included in this study. SonoVue (0.1 mL/kg) was injected into each rabbit via an ear vein for contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging, and 0.5 mL SonoVue was injected into the normal liver parenchyma near the VX2 tumor for PTL. Images and/or movie clips were stored for further analysis.

RESULTS: Ultrasonographic imaging showed VX2 tumors ranging 5-19 mm in the liver of rabbits. The VX2 tumor was hyperechoic and hypoechoic to liver parenchyma at the early and later phase, respectively. The hepatic lymph vessels were visualized immediately after injection of contrast medium and continuously visualized with SonoVue® during PTL. The boundaries of VX2 tumors were hyperechoic to liver parenchyma and the tumors. There was a significant difference in the values for the boundaries of VX2 tumors after injection compared with the liver normal parenchyma and the tumor parenchyma during PTL.

CONCLUSION: PTL is a novel method for the detection of tumor lymphangiogenesis in hepatic VX2 of rabbits. Combined PTL and contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging can improve the diagnosis of liver cancer.

Keywords: Percutaneous transhepatic lymphosonography; Ultrasound; Contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging; Ultrasound contrast media; VX2 tumor