1. Ultrasonography and alpha-fetoprotein in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis.
- Author
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Maringhini A, Cottone M, Sciarrino E, Marcenó MP, La Seta F, Fusco G, Rinaldi F, and Pagliaro L
- Subjects
- Algorithms, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular blood, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular complications, False Negative Reactions, False Positive Reactions, Female, Humans, Liver Cirrhosis blood, Liver Neoplasms blood, Liver Neoplasms complications, Male, Prospective Studies, Sensitivity and Specificity, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular diagnosis, Liver Cirrhosis complications, Liver Neoplasms diagnosis, Ultrasonography, alpha-Fetoproteins blood
- Abstract
The accuracy of ultrasound (US) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 363 patients with cirrhosis (C) and a clinical suspicion of HCC was assessed. The ultrasonographic patterns of HCC and their relationship with AFP values were analyzed. Echographic patterns were distributed as follows: 47 patients had sonodense lesions; 30 patients had hypoechoic lesions; 47 had mixed-pattern lesions, and in four patients focal dilated intrahepatic bile ducts were demonstrated. The sensitivity of US was 90%; specificity was 93.3%. Serum AFP level greater than or equal to 500 ng/ml (RIA) was the first clue to the diagnosis in 71 patients (48.6%); specificity was 100%. In 28 patients AFP levels became significantly elevated during follow-up after US detection of HCC. No relationship between echo pattern and serum AFP levels was demonstrated. An algorithm for diagnosis of HCC is proposed.
- Published
- 1988
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