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Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: Usefulness of ultrasonography compared with computed tomography and AFP assay
Author(s) -
Shibata Toshiya,
Kubo Souichi,
Itoh Kyo,
Sagoh Tadashi,
Nishimura Kazumasa,
Nakano Yoshihisa,
Yamaoka Yoshio,
Ozawa Kazue,
Konishi Junji
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.1870190803
Subject(s) - medicine , ultrasonography , hepatocellular carcinoma , radiology , computed tomography , hepatectomy , carcinoma , surgery , resection
Follow‐up studies using monitoring with alpha 1 ‐feto protein (AFP), ultrasonography (US), and computed tomography (CT) were carried out in 75 patients who had prior partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recurrence in the remaining liver was confirmed in 31 patients (41.3%) during the 4 month to 3 years 7 month period. Ultrasonography detected recurrence in 29 cases (sensitivity: 93.5%), CT in 26 (83.9%), and AFP assay in 12 (38.7%). In 4 patients, ultrasonography detected four recurrent nodules that CT missed. In 1 patient, two subphrenic nodules were detected with CT but not with ultrasonography. The specificity of US, CT, and AFP assay was 90.9%, 95.5%, and 93.2% respectively. Frequent follow‐up study with ultrasonography in combination with CT and AFP assay should be recommended for the early detection of recurrent HCC. Ultrasonography is mandatory for the follow‐up of patients with a prior hepatectomy for HCC.