PURPOSE: We report the sonographic appearances and pathologic findings for hepatic nodules 2 cm or smaller that were detected by sonography but that did not produce a @entity5 stain on constrast-enhanced helical CT or digital subtraction angiography. METHODS: Sixty-six nodules 2 cm or less were found by sonography in 39 @entity1 . Sonographically guided needle biopsies were done on all lesions. RESULTS: Twenty-seven nodules were benign nodules, 9 were borderline lesions, and 30 were @entity157 . Benign nodules were significantly smaller than @entity157 (mean size, 1.0 cm versus 1.4 cm, respectively; p <0.00001). Nodules 1 cm or smaller were more likely to be diagnosed as benign nodules (68%) than as either of the other types (32%; p = 0.01). A significantly greater percentage of @entity157 showed a heterogeneous pattern (64%) on sonography compared with benign nodules (25%) and borderline lesions (11%; p = 0.04). In nodules 1 cm or smaller, a homogeneous pattern (68%) was more common than a heterogeneous pattern (32%; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The nature of small hepatic nodules cannot be determined with sonography. Thus, biopsy remains the only technique for obtaining a definitive diagnosis.

Sonographic appearances of small hepatic nodules without XXXX stain on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and angiography.

@entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity157 :: ('MESH:D006528', 'Disease') :: ['hepatocellular carcinomas']
@entity5 :: (MESH:D009369,Disease) :: ['tumor']
