Small hypoechoic nodules in cirrhotic patients with previously treated HCC: analysis of non-enhancing nodules at contrast-enhanced-US

Objective: To analyze new small hypoechoic nodules (SHN) showing absence of enhancement at Contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS), in cirrhotic patients previously treated for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Subjects and methods: 215 cirrhotic patients with HCC previously treated with surgery (19) and/or Percutaneous ablation (192) and/or Chemoembolization (44) were prospectively studied with US every two months (follow-up range: 10–32 months; median: 20 months) in order to early detect new hepatic nodules. All detected SHN were studied with CEUS. Nodules showing early arterial enhancement at CEUS were considered r…