Abstract：Objective: To evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography with low mechanical index in choosing the treatment indicator of focal liver lesions. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-two patients with 357 focal liver lesions were examined by contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography with low mechanical index, contrast-enhanced CT/MR and/or pathological examination. Results: Ten patients with liver abscess were confirmed by contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography with low mechanical index and treated by percutaneous puncture. One hundred and forty-seven patients with malignant tumor were diagnosed by contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography with low mechanical index. In which, 82 patients were treated by non-operative therapy. Percutaneous ethanol injection was carried out in 7 cases. Radiofrequency ablation or microwave coagulation therapy was performed in 57 cases. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization or percutaneous ethanol injection combined with radiofrequency or microwave ablation was performed in 14 cases. Four patients were only treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Conclusions: Contrast-enhanced harmonic sonography with low mechanical index is helpful for choosing the treatment indicator of focal liver lesions.
2006, Vol. 17 
