The aim was to compare the performances of contrast-enhanced (CE) ultrasonography (US) and spiral computed tomography (CT) in the detection and characterization of portal vein thrombosis complicating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We studied 50 patients with HCC who had biopsy-proven portal vein thrombi that had been detected with US and color Doppler US. Thirteen of the thrombi involved the main portal trunk and 37 the segmental branches. CEUS and CT were performed within a week of thrombus biopsies. For each imaging technique, diagnoses of thrombosis (present/absent) and thrombus nature (malignancy/benignancy) were made by experienced readers under blinded conditions and compared with pathological findings to determine accuracy rates for thrombus detection and characterization. Forty-four of the 50 thrombi were pathologically diagnosed as malignant and the remaining six were benign. CEUS detected 50/50 (100%) thrombi and correctly characterized 49/50 (98%). CT detected 34/50 (68%) thrombi and correctly characterized 23 of these 34 (68%). CEUS outperformed CT in terms of both thrombus detection (P < 0.0001) and characterization (P = 0.0001). CEUS appears to be significantly superior to CT for detection and characterization of portal vein thrombosis complicating HCC, and it should be considered in the staging of these tumors.

We evaluated the diagnostic performance of 16-MDCT and MRI in the characterization of kidney lesions and noted, the differences between these two methods. We describe the most common lesions of kidney and urinary tract examined with MDCT performed in the unenhanced, arterial, and portal venous phases, and MRI performed at 1.5 T with T2- and T1-weighted and dynamic gadolinium- enhanced sequences. All lesions had histologic findings that confirmed the primary diagnosis. Both MDCT and MRI are excellent methods to characterize benign and malignant renal lesions

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We evaluated the diagnostic performance of 16-MDCT and MRI in the characterization of kidney lesions and noted, the differences between these two methods. We describe the most common lesions of kidney and urinary tract examined with MDCT performed in the unenhanced, arterial, and portal venous phases, and MRI performed at 1.5 T with T2- and T1-weighted and dynamic gadolinium- enhanced sequences. All lesions had histologic findings that confirmed the primary diagnosis. Both MDCT and MRI are excellent methods to characterize benign and malignant renal lesions.