Abstract: Objective To investigate the value of conventional ultrasound and ultrasonic contrast in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant focal liver lesions (FLL). Methods A total of 230 patients diagnosed of benign or malignant FLL by conventional ultrasound and ultrasonic contrast in our hospital were enrolled, whose clinical data and liver pathology were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among 230 patients with 246 FLL, there were 53 cases of benign FLL and 136 of malignant diagnosed by conventional ultrasound (totally 189/246), and 88 of benign and 144 of malignant by ultrasound contrast (totally 232/246). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of conventional ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant FLL were 91.3% vs. 96.6%, 54.6% vs. 90.7%, 75.6% vs. 94.1%, 80.3% vs. 94.6% and 76.8% vs. 94.3%, respectively. All indicators except sensitivity were statistically significant different (all P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with conventional ultrasound, ultrasonic contrast was more effective in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant FLL.

Key words: Conventional ultrasound ;Ultrasonic contrast;Focal liver lesion;Benign and malignant; Diagnostic value