In this present study, we analyzed and compared the visualization rate of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and conventional ultrasound for pseudocapsules of renal cell carcinoma. Totally 103 patients with renal cell carcinoma confirmed by operation and pathology were examined with CEUS and conventional ultrasound, and the visualization rate of CEUS and conventional ultrasound for pseudocapsule of renal cell carcinoma was compared. Among these 103 cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), there were 97 cases of clear cell RCC and 6 cases of papillary renal cell carcinoma. Under conventional ultrasound, the presence of pseudocapsule was detected in only 27 RCCs (26.2%), while CEUS revealed the presence of pseudocapsule in 78 RCCs (75.7%), indicating statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). The pseudocapsule was not visible either under conventional ultrasound or CEUS in 25 cases. Visualization rate of CEUS for RCC pseudocapsule is much higher than that of conventional ultrasound, indicating that CEUS is useful for diagnosis of RCC. 

Key words: Ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, contrast agent, renal cell carcinoma.