Comparative analysis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced MRI

Objective To analyse the imaging characteristics of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced MRI. Methods Eight cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were confimed by surgery and pathology, they were examined by CEUS and contrast-enhanced MRI before operation. Results During arterial phases on CEUS, 5 cases appeared as rim-like hyperenhancement, 1 case appeared as diffuse homogeneous hyperenhancement, 2 cases appeared as diffuse heterogeneous hyperenhancement. During the portal phases, 6 cases appeared as diffuse hypoenhancement, 2 cases appeared as hypoenhancement intratumour and rim-like hyperenhancement at margin. During lag phases, all cases appeared as hypoenhancement. During arterial phases on contrast enhancement MRI, 8 cases showed rim-like hyperenhancement. During portal and late phase, 1 case showed rim-like hyperenhancement, 7 cases showed centripetal enhancement. Conclusion Intrahepatic cholagiocarcinoma shows different imaging characteristics on CEUS and contrastenhanced MRI. The pathologic characteristics of the tumor and the distribution characteristics of the two contrast agents in the body may result in the difference.