Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava
06:59

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava

Published on: January 13, 2023

Demonstration of Hepatic Vein Abnormalities Using Contrast-Enhanced Sonography in Liver Diseases

Hiroko Naganuma1, Hideaki Ishida2

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Yokote Municipal Hospital, Yokote 013-8602, Japan.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can improve liver disease diagnosis by evaluating hepatic venous (HV) transit time. Integrating HV CEUS findings with clinical data enhances diagnostic accuracy for various liver conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Hepatology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is established for assessing liver hemodynamics, primarily focusing on hepatic artery and portal vein.
  • CEUS application for diagnosing hepatic venous (HV) abnormalities remains underutilized in clinical practice.
  • This review re-evaluates the diagnostic utility of CEUS for HV abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the diagnostic value of observing hepatic venous (HV) CEUS findings, particularly transit time.
  • To emphasize the importance of understanding upper abdominal vascular anatomy and disease-specific vascular structures for HV CEUS interpretation.
  • To guide the prudent interpretation of CEUS in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) considering its evolving drainage vessels.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on CEUS applications in liver disease.
  • Analysis of CEUS findings related to hepatic venous flow and transit time.
  • Correlation of CEUS findings with clinical data and histopathological progression.

Main Results:

  • Observing HV CEUS findings, especially transit time, significantly narrows differential diagnoses in liver diseases.
  • Accurate interpretation requires comprehensive knowledge of vascular anatomy and disease-specific vascularity.
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) CEUS interpretation needs caution due to dynamic changes in drainage vessels.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatic venous CEUS, particularly transit time assessment, is a valuable tool for improving diagnostic confidence in liver disease.
  • Integrating CEUS findings with clinical data is crucial for accurate diagnosis, especially for HCC.
  • Further clinical adoption of HV CEUS can enhance diagnostic capabilities in hepatology.

Keywords:
contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS)hepatic veinliverliver tumortransit timevascular anomalies

More Related Videos

Novel In Vivo Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging Techniques for Assessing the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease08:41

Novel In Vivo Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging Techniques for Assessing the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Published on: March 24, 2023

Demystifying Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS): Image Acquisition and Interpretation05:49

Demystifying Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS): Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Published on: May 16, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Ultrasonography01:17

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the body's internal structures. It is a non-invasive and safe procedure that does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, making it widely used in various medical fields. Ultrasonography is used to study heart function, blood flow in the neck or extremities, certain conditions such as gallbladder disease, and fetal growth and development.
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called a...
Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan01:25

Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and FibroScan are valuable diagnostic tools in gastroenterology and hepatology, each with specific applications and techniques.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography

Echocardiography plays a role in assessing cardiac health and detecting heart conditions, with various types providing critical insights for diagnosis and treatment.
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
Portal Hypertension01:22

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...