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Vezeridis et al. Hepatoma Res 2020;6:53 Hepatoma Research
DOI: 10.20517/2394-5079.2020.36

Review Open Access

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound liver reporting and
data system for hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis

Alexander M. Vezeridis , Yuko Kono 2
1
1 Interventional Radiology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
2 Department of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
Correspondence to: Prof. Yuko Kono, Department of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, 200 W Arbor
Dr. MC 8413, San Diego, CA 92103, USA. E-mail: ykono@health.ucsd.edu
How to cite this article: Vezeridis AM, Kono Y. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound liver reporting and data system for hepatocellular
carcinoma diagnosis. Hepatoma Res 2020;6:53. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-5079.2020.36
Received: 14 Apr 2020 First Decision: 25 May 2020 Revised: 16 Jul 2020 Accepted: 21 Jul 2020 Published: 21 Aug 2020

Academic Editor: Guang-Wen Cao Copy Editor: Cai-Hong Wang Production Editor: Jing Yu

Abstract
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a powerful imaging modality for the diagnosis of focal liver lesions,
Received: First Decision: Revised: Accepted: Published:
including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The American College of Radiology Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound
Science Editor: Copy Editor: Production Editor: Jing Yu Liver Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS®) was created as a standardized reporting system to facilitate
consistent and high-quality technique, interpretation, reporting, and data collection for CEUS diagnosis of HCC.
This article describes the history and background of CEUS LI-RADS®, its major concepts and algorithm, and the
differences between CEUS LI-RADS® and CT/MRI LI-RADS®.

Keywords: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound, LI-RADS, hepatocellular carcinoma, diagnosis

INTRODUCTION
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be diagnosed non-invasively by imaging without histological
[1,2]
confirmation as endorsed by major liver society guidelines . Contrast-enhanced computed tomography
(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used for HCC diagnosis, with contrast-
[3]
enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) recognized as an alternative imaging modality . Indeed, focal liver lesion
[4]
characterization is the most widely recognized and used application for CEUS .
CEUS is an advanced form of ultrasound imaging utilizing tiny microbubble contrast agents, with
[5]
diameters similar to that of red blood cells . After intravenous injection, the microbubbles stay in the
© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long
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