The echogenicity of hypervascular areas in liver tumours. An in vivo study.

The ultrasound images of liver tumours of 28 patients were compared with their vascular images on arteriography. In addition, 17 of these patients underwent contrast computed tomography examinations, and a comparison was made between the markedly contrast-enhanced tumour areas and their ultrasound images. No clear correlation was found between the echogenicity of the tumours and the vascularity seen in arteriography and/or computed tomography. The hypervascular and hypo- or avascular tumour areas could be markedly or minimally echogenic or show only diffuse alteration in the echo architecture.