[Diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma by US angiography with intraarterial CO2 microbubbles imaging]

US angiography, enhanced with intraarterial CO2 microbubbles imaging, documented 40 nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesser than 20 mm in diameter in 34 patients, which were convinced histopathologically. As to the imaging acuity of arterial vascularity in nodules, US angiography was compared with DSA and US color angio. The detection of arterial vascularity was possible in 34 (85.0%) of 40 nodules by US angiography, 26 (65.0%) by DSA, and 28 (70.0 %) by US color angio. US angiography was available for detection of HCC, particularly with small HCC lesser than 20 mm in size.