6533b857fe1ef96bd12b4d70
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Ultrasonographic and radionuclide detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotics with low alpha-fetoprotein levels
Alberto MaringhiniMario CottoneLuigi PagliaroF RinaldiFrancesco La SetaE. SciarrinoM P Marcenòsubject
Cancer Researchmedicine.medical_specialtyAlpha fetoprotein levelsCirrhosismedicine.diagnostic_testbusiness.industryHepatobiliary diseaseUltrasoundmedicine.diseaseScintigraphyGastroenterologydigestive system diseasesOncologyInternal medicineHepatocellular carcinomaBiopsyMedicineRadiologyUltrasonographybusinessdescription
A total of 67 cirrhotic patients with clinically suspected neoplastic degeneration and low alpha-fetoprotein levels were assessed prospectively with ultrasound and gold (198Au) scintigraphy. Ultrasound showed space-occupying lesions in 22 of the 24 patients who had a final diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (sensitivity, 95.8%) and excluded the presence of HCC in 37 of the 43 patients with cirrhosis only (specificity, 86.0%; efficiency, 90.8%). Scintigraphy demonstrated a cold defect in 22 of the 24 patients who had a final diagnosis of HCC (sensitivity, 95.8%) and excluded the presence of HCC in 22 of the 43 patients with cirrhosis only (specificity, 51.1%; efficiency, 69.8%). It was concluded that the most accurate screening plain in cirrhotic patients suspected of having HCC with alpha-fetoprotein values below 500 mg/ml would consist of ultrasonography followed, as clinically indicated, by ultrasonographic or laparoscopic guided biopsy.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-12-15 | Cancer |