Correlations between the time–intensity parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and clinical prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to detect the correlation between the time–intensity parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and the clinical prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsA total of 73 HCC patients were analyzed with the time–intensity curve of CEUS. The expression of vascular endothelial factor (VEGF) and CD34 in different differentiation-staged HCC specimens was observed using immunohistochemistry.ResultsA positive correlation was found between the VEGF expression and microvessel density. The time–intensity parameters were not correlated with the HCC size.ConclusionsCEUS time–intensity parameters are inducive for assessing the prognosis of HCC with revealed intratumoral microvessel perfusion in different differentiation stages.