Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses sound waves, not x-rays, to generate images. A jelly-like substance is applied to the skin overlying your liver. Then a probe, called a transducer, is passed over the skin. The transducer sends out sound waves that pass through the body and are echoed back. The transducer receives the echoes and transmits them to a computer console which in turn interprets the echo data as internal organs and tissues.

Because ultrasound is simple, inexpensive and noninvasive, it is often one of the first tests ordered during the staging process. Unfortunately, test results are highly dependent upon the sonographer, the quality of the scanner, and the overall build of the patient. As a result, ultrasound may not detect all tumors in all cases.

Ultrasound may be performed in the physician's office or on an outpatient basis in a clinic. Most ultrasound tests take only a few minutes and results are obtained immediately. In patients with liver tumors, ultrasound is used to locate and measure the size of a tumor and to determine if it is solid or cystic.

In addition, ultrasound is an important modality that is used at the time of surgery and is called intraoperative ultrasound. This examination should be performed on all patients who undergo a surgical procedure on the liver. It will identify all of the tumors within the liver and clarify the relationship to blood vessels in the liver. The probe is placed directly on the liver at the time of surgery. This test provides critical information that will influence the treatment strategy.

All liver surgeons should be experienced in performing intraoperative ultrasound. Below is an intraoperative ultrasound image of a liver tumor. The edges of the tumor are indicated by the arrows. No other tumors are present in the liver.