Ultrasound Imaging Detection of Hepatocellular Suspicious Lesion Among High Risk Patients Attending Kenyatta National Referral Hospital Liver Clinic

Abstract

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary cancer of the liver. It’s the fifth most common cancer in men and the seventh most common in women worldwide(1). It’s amongst the leading cause of high rates of cancer related mortality in the world and in the country. Its main risk factors in Sub Sahara Africa is infectious cause from Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus, followed by noninfectious causes such as chronic alcohol intake and aflatoxins. The latter is fungal contamination of stored food. Screening is recommended for early detection of HCC and management. However, different regions have varying protocols on tools to be used for screening. MRI has a role in particularly detection and characterization of small tumours 1-2cm, with a sensitivity of up to 84% (2). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of hepatocellular suspicious lesions on ultrasonic screening in high-risk patients and assign the positive ultrasound findings a LI-RADS category on multiphasic CT examination in the patients attending liver clinic at KNH. Methodology A Cross-sectional study was carried out at the liver clinic in Kenyatta National Hospital. Ultrasound screening was done to all HCC high risk patients. Any Ultrasound suspicious lesion for HCC was further studied using Tri-phasic Computed tomography (CT) machine. The study included a total of 106 participants. The data was analyzed using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) computer software package and the results presented in the form of tables, charts and graphs...................................................................