Abstract
The role of US has not changed significantly in pediatric liver tumors. Detection and characterisation is still the primary role. Follow up the patients after surgery and/or chemotherapy in case of malignancy. Results of interventional radiology treatments (RF, laser, cryoablation) can be followed by US. Characterisation of the liver tumors remains a challenge for US, and additional methods are needed. Tissue harmonic imaging and SonoCT can improve the ability to identify liver masses and analyse their structure. Color Doppler is of little help in the differential diagnosis of solid masses, and power Doppler is seldom useful. Very little data are available about the use of US contrast agents in pediatric patients with liver tumors. Panoramic US images and 3D US may be helpful to present the results for consultation. Helical CT and/or MR are frequently needed for further workup before treatment. One of the most difficult tasks of imaging is the differentiation between residual liver tumors and recurrencies in case of hepatoblastoma or metastatic liver disease. The differentiation between various benign and malignant pediatric liver masses is sometimes extremely difficult due to the overlap of so-called typical signs. To select the imaging modality of choice in a given case needs a clear understanding of the strength and weaknesses of the radiology imaging methods. Learning objectives: 1) overview of the strength and and weaknesses of US in pediatric patients with various liver masses and tumor-like lesions; and 2) brief overview on the US appearance of the most typical pediatric liver tumors.
Published Version
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