Diagnostic value of imaging modalities in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the liver

J Clin Ultrasound. 2023 Jun;51(5):887-897. doi: 10.1002/jcu.23447. Epub 2023 Mar 17.

Abstract

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the liver (PSCCL) is rare. PSCCL's lack of specific clinical manifestations and laboratory tests necessitate preoperative diagnosis via imaging examination. Conventional ultrasound (US) demonstrates a mass with mixed echogenicity, and contrast-enhanced US shows a circular pattern of "fast forward, fast backward or slow backward, high enhancement." Enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed enhancement in the center or edge of the lesion, and the density of the enhanced lesion was lower than that of the liver tissue in the same layer. Positron emission tomography-CT demonstrates an inhomogeneous low-density mass with increased 18F-FDG metabolism. Magnetic resonance imaging shows low signal intensity on T1-weighed images (T1WI) and high signal on T2-weighed images (T2WI). By summarizing the imaging characteristics of PSCCL, this review aims to improve clinicians' understanding of PSCCL and its diagnosis.

Keywords: computed tomography; diagnostic value of imaging modalities; magnetic resonance imaging; positron emission tomography/computed tomography; squamous cell carcinoma of the liver; ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / pathology
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Liver* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver* / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18