The gray- cale ultrasonographic app arances of histopathologically proven primary hepatoma in 61 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Our study has revealed four different ultrsonographic patterns of primary hepatoma: echogenic(39.4%), sonolucent(8.2%), mixed(31.0%) and diffuse parenchymal distortion(21.3%). Of 61 primary hepatoma examined, 19 cases exhibited encapsulation. Predominantly, the marginal Contour of mass was irregular rather than smooth. Most of cases represented downward convexity of the lower edge of the liver. Both of hump and marginal irregularity on the hepatic surface were exhibited in 54.1% and 59.0% respectively. Ultrasonography makes it possible to demonstrate not only the extrinsic compression of the vascularity by the tumor mass on intrahepatic vessels, inferior vena cava, and abdominal aorta, but also extrahepatic biliary obstruction. While 40.9% of cases were found to have a cites, splenomegaly was noticed in 31.1% In fact, ultrasonography is a useful screening method for imaging primry hepatorna with pecial regard of its noninva siveness and easy application to assess the nature and extent of the lesions.