Peripheral bone metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma: sonographic findings

We reviewed medical and radiologic records of five patients with bone metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to evaluate the role of sonography (US) in the diagnosis of this bone metastasis.

The metastatic lesions were clearly visualized by US as expansive, homogeneous, soft tissue masses with bony destruction, and color Doppler US showed fine vessels within the lesions. After treatment, US showed a decrease in tumor size with an increase in echogenicity and a decrease in blood flow. Hepatic US at the time of bone metastasis showed a portal tumor thrombus in all cases.

When US detects a portal venous tumor thrombus in HCC patients, attention should be directed not only to the liver but also to bone to improve patient care. US is useful not only in detecting the metastatic lesion but also in evaluating the treatment effect.