Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to compare conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC0 and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC) for differentiation of the two entities. Methods 86 patients with HCC and 16 patients with ICC were encountered in our hospital between March 2019 and May 2024, and all underwent conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. The imaging features were compared between the two malignant tumors. Results There were no significant differences as respect to numbers of intrahepatic space-occupying lesions, shapes, diameters, intratumor echos, echo features and portal thrombosis between the two groups (P＞0.05), while the percentage of bile duct dilatation in patients with ICC was 37.5%, much higher than 2.3%(P＜0.05)in those with HCC; CEUS demonstrated that percentages of arterial-phase ring enhancement, arterial-phase hypo-enhancement, portal-phase hypo-enhancement andclearing time at delayed phase in ICC group were 37.5%, 18.8%, 93.8% and (45.2±8.1)s, all significantly higher or shorter than 10.5%, 2.3%,59.3% and (66.7±11.8)s in HCC group (P＜0.05). Conclusion The imaging features, such as bile duct dilation, arterial phase enhancement mode, arterial phase enhancement characteristics, and significant differences in clearance time in patients with ICC and HCC are obvious different, which might help clinicians differentiate the two liver cancers.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, Contrast-enhanced ultrasound, Diagnosis