Ultrasound Imaging: Differentiating Benign and Malignant Hepatic Tumors

Abstract

Hepatic tumors, whether benign or malignant, pose significant health concerns and require accurate diagnosis for appropriate treatment planning. Among the various imaging modalities available, ultrasound plays a crucial role in the initial evaluation of hepatic lesions due to its widespread availability, cost-effectiveness, and lack of ionizing radiation. Ultrasound is a tomographic imaging technique that can provide anatomical and functional images with high resolution and great flexibility at low cost [22]. In ultrasound contrast is produced by the tissues’ structure at submillimeter level and is chiefly attributable to the differences in rigidity and density between fluids, watery tissue, connective tissue and fat. The tomograms are formed very rapidly, allowing real time imaging so that studies are quick and interactive. Immediate viewing of tissue motion is intrinsic to ultrasound imaging. The procedure is well tolerated, the only practical problem for the liver being abdominal tenderness that may make probe contact painful. This article aims to explore the utility of ultrasound in differentiating between benign and malignant hepatic tumors.