High-attenuation recent thrombus of the portal vein: CT demonstration and clinical significance

Attenuation characteristics of portal vein thrombi on nonenhanced computed tomographic (CT) scans were assessed in 122 patients with proved portal vein thrombosis. Portal vein thrombi of high attenuation were found in four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. From pathologic and radiologic studies, it was concluded that the high attenuation was caused by blood clots of recent onset formed at the tip of tumor thrombus. Differentiation from choledocholithiasis, hematobilia, and calcification of thrombi could be easily made by means of ultrasonography (US). Although plain CT is usually considered noncontributory in the diagnosis of venous thrombosis, it enabled the differentiation of recent thrombus in these four patients. Tumor thrombus in the major branches or main trunk of the portal vein is indicative of poor prognosis. When hepatic mass and high-attenuation portal vein thrombi are demonstrated with plain CT and substantiated by US, enhanced CT and angiography may be unnecessary for treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.     

肝癌伴门静脉癌栓血流动力学变化的CT表现

目的:探讨肝癌合并门静脉癌栓的血流动力学变化及其CT表现,为肝癌的诊治及预后提供帮助。方法:经临床证实的原发性肝癌合并门静脉癌栓患者34例为研究组,不伴门静脉癌栓的25 例为对照组。所有病例均行螺旋CT三期增强扫描。结果:研究组34例中24例出现动脉期高灌注,9 例出现门脉期低灌注,研究组与对照组间肝实质灌注异常的差异具有显著性意义;研究组肝动静脉瘘发生率明显增加;门静脉主干癌栓常并发门静脉海绵样变性、胆囊静脉曲张及胆旁静脉丛扩张;CT可显示门脉高压的侧支循环。结论:原发性肝癌门静脉癌栓可引起肝脏血流动力学变化,正确认识其CT表现对指导临床具有重要意义。     

Opacification of the intrahepatic portal veins during CT hepatic arteriography

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the cause of opacification of the portal veins during CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA). METHOD: A total of 155 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated with CTHA as preoperative staging. The opacification of the portal veins during CTHA was categorized as opacification of the main portal vein, right or left branches of the main portal vein (generalized), and segmental or subsegmental portal veins (localized). Hepatic angiography was compared and possible causes were evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred eight (70%) of 155 patients showed intrahepatic portal vein opacification at CTHA: generalized in 60 patients (39%) and localized in 48 patients (31%). Intrahepatic causes were arterioportal shunts due to hepatocellular carcinoma in 20 (19% of 108 patients), previous liver biopsy in 9 (8%), and portal vein thrombosis in 4 (4%). Extrahepatic cause was counted in 57 cases (53%) and was due to inflow of contrast material via nonmesenteric portal circulation through the gastric antrum, duodenum, and/or pancreas. CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic portal veins are frequently opacified during CTHA, and the causes were arterioportal shunts through hepatocellular carcinoma, postbiopsy shunt, portal vein thrombosis, and inflow of contrast material via the nonmesenteric portal circulation.     

Percutaneous transumbilical portal vein embolization in a patient with a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma supplied by the portal vein

We describe a case of a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma supplied by the portal vein that was successfully treated with portal vein embolization via a percutaneous transumbilical approach. A contrast material-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scan showed the presence of a large hypervascular tumor on portal venous phase as well as right hepatic vein thrombosis and hemoperitoneum that prevented portal vein embolization by the use of the percutaneous and transjugular transhepatic approach. The use of percutaneous transumbilical portal vein embolization can be an alternative option in this situation.     

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and spiral computed tomography in the detection and characterization of portal vein thrombosis complicating hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim was to compare the performances of contrast-enhanced (CE) ultrasonography (US) and spiral computed tomography (CT) in the detection and characterization of portal vein thrombosis complicating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We studied 50 patients with HCC who had biopsy-proven portal vein thrombi that had been detected with US and color Doppler US. Thirteen of the thrombi involved the main portal trunk and 37 the segmental branches. CEUS and CT were performed within a week of thrombus biopsies. For each imaging technique, diagnoses of thrombosis (present/absent) and thrombus nature (malignancy/benignancy) were made by experienced readers under blinded conditions and compared with pathological findings to determine accuracy rates for thrombus detection and characterization. Forty-four of the 50 thrombi were pathologically diagnosed as malignant and the remaining six were benign. CEUS detected 50/50 (100%) thrombi and correctly characterized 49/50 (98%). CT detected 34/50 (68%) thrombi and correctly characterized 23 of these 34 (68%). CEUS outperformed CT in terms of both thrombus detection (P < 0.0001) and characterization (P = 0.0001). CEUS appears to be significantly superior to CT for detection and characterization of portal vein thrombosis complicating HCC, and it should be considered in the staging of these tumors.     

CT Findings of Completely Regressed Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Main Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the sequential CT findings of controlled hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with main portal vein (MPV) thrombosis with the use of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and additional intra-arterial cisplatin infusion.

Materials and Methods

From January 2004 to September 2006, 138 patients with HCC invading MPV were referred to the angiography unit of our institution for chemoembolization and additional intra-arterial cisplatin infusion. Until August 2008, seven (5%) of 138 patients were followed-up and found not to have tumor recurrence. CT scans were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists, focusing on the following parameters: the extent of portal vein thrombosis, the diameter of the affected portal vein, and enhancement of portal vein thrombosis.

Results

The extent of portal vein thrombosis at the initial presentation was variable: left portal vein (LPV) and MPV (n = 1), right portal vein (RPV) and MPV (n = 3), as well as RPV, LPV and MPV (n = 3). The extent and diameter of the affected portal vein decreased during follow-up examinations. In addition, the degree of enhancement for tumor thrombi and serum alpha-feto-protein levels decreased after the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Portal vein thrombosis was found to be completely resolved in one patient, whereas residual thrombus without viability was persistent in six patients.

Conclusion

If chemoembolization is effective in patients with HCC that invades the portal vein, the extent and enhancement of portal vein thrombosis is reduced, but residual thrombosis frequently persists for months or years, without evidence of a viable tumor.     

外生型肝细胞癌及肝血管瘤的CT诊断

目的：探讨外生型肝细胞癌及肝血管瘤的CT表现。方法：回顾性分析7例外生型肝细胞癌及3例外生型肝血管瘤的CT和临床资料,10例均经手术、病理或临床证实。结果：外生型肝细胞癌根据肝内有无肿块将其分为单纯型（4例）和混合型（3例）。2例肿块突出肝外,有蒂与肝相连,5例肿块紧邻肝表面。7例肿块平扫均呈低密度,动脉期不均匀强化,门脉期病变密度降低或呈低密度;其中2例出现动静脉短路征象,2例出现肿瘤周围部分肝实质一过性增强,4例出现门静脉癌栓,3例有肝硬化表现。外生型肝血管瘤中,2例为海绵状血管瘤,病灶平扫呈低密度,增强扫描动脉期肿块边缘强化,门脉期强化范围扩大;1例为纤维性血管瘤,表现为门脉期不均匀强化。结论：CT是诊断外生型肝细胞癌和肝血管瘤的有价值的影像学手段。     

多层螺旋CT对肝移植受体手术前后评估

目的探讨多层螺旋CT血管造影（MSCTA）对原位肝移植受体手术前后的评估. 资料与方法对14例临床拟行肝移植受体进行MSCT多期增强扫描,并行2D、3D血管重建,观察肝脏、血管情况.5例行原位肝移植手术患者的MSCTA图像与手术对照分析. 结果 14例患者的肝脏病变及肝动脉和门静脉系血管结构清晰显示,其中肝硬化6例,肝硬化合并肝癌5例,Budd-Chiari综合征1例,Budd-Chiari综合征合并肝硬化1例,Budd-Chiari综合征合并小肝癌1例. 肝动脉解剖走行常见型11例,变异3例,腹腔干狭窄2例,肝动脉狭窄1例,脾动脉瘤1例.显示门静脉系血栓5例,门脉高压侧支循环形成6例;胆管结石3例.5例肝移植受体术前门脉癌栓1例,门脉高压侧支循环形成3例,术后未发现并发症. 结论 MSCTA对肝移植受体术前术后提供更多准确的信息,具有很好的应用前景.     

多层螺旋CT在肝癌肝动脉化疗栓塞中的价值

目的 评价多层螺旋CT（MSCT）在肝癌（HCC）肝动脉化疗栓塞中的价值。方法 对54例肝癌患者分别行MSCT和DSA检查，比较病灶、合并症的显示情况和肿瘤的供血来源，MSCT观察腹腔动脉的解剖和走行应用三维容积再现（VRT）、最大信号强度投影（MIP）或多平面重组（MPR）技术。其中，12例进行了CT血管造影（CTA）检查。结果 54例肝癌患者MSCT发现病灶225个，门静脉瘤栓10例，动静脉瘘14例；DSA发现病灶216个，门静脉瘤栓形成8例，动静脉瘘18例；MSCT和DSA二者比较，MSCT对肿瘤的数目的显示率略高于DSA，但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；MSCT能够显示腹腔动脉及其主要分支的三维结构，优于后前位DSA，观察与腹主动脉夹角较DSA更方便；MSCT发现肝动脉起源变异5例，与DSA完全符合。结论 MSCT对于肝癌肝动脉化疗栓塞有重要指导意义，选择最佳延迟扫描时间是显示病灶和血管的关键。     

肝动脉高灌注在肝细胞癌伴门静脉癌栓介入治疗中的意义

目的：分析肝细胞癌（HCC）合并门静脉主干癌栓致肝动脉高灌注异常表现,探讨其在判断癌灶的范围、肝脏血流动力学异常、从而选择正确的介入治疗方案中的意义。方法：搜集因HCC合并门静脉左支、右支或/和主干癌栓首次行肝动脉灌注化疗栓塞术（TACE）的病例共69例,根据肝动脉DSA动脉期、实质期癌变和非癌变肝组织境界及血供对比,分为无、轻度、重度肝动脉高灌注,并据此判定癌变和非癌变组织血供状况而选择不同的介入治疗方案。所有病例随访1年以上,大部分病例行2～7次介入治疗。结果：无肝动脉高灌注30例,给予常规TACE术;轻度肝动脉高灌注28例,行肿瘤供血动脉节段性碘油乳剂栓塞;重度肝动脉高灌注11例,仅行肝固有动脉内灌注化疗术。三组病例3、6、12个月生存率分别为100%,96.67%,66.67%;92.86%,71.43%,32.14%;81.82%,36.36%,0%,三组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：肝动脉高灌注征在判定HCC并门静脉癌栓患者门静脉血供受侵程度、指导介入方案的选择、介入栓塞治疗预后方面有着重要的临床意义。     

Radioembolization After Portal Vein Embolization in a Patient with Multifocal Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Radioembolization is an effective locoregional therapy for patients with intermediate or advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has been shown that radioembolization is safe in patients with portal vein thrombosis. This case report describes safe radioembolization after portal vein embolization in a patient with multifocal HCC.     

中晚期肝癌动脉早期MSCT血管造影

目的 :探讨多层螺旋CT肝脏动脉早期扫描CT血管造影 (MSCTA)在中晚期肝癌的临床应用价值。方法 :63例临床确诊的中晚期肝癌病例 ,用TriggerBolus对比剂示踪软件行自动触发全肝动脉早、晚期 (一次屏气完成 )和门脉期扫描 ,动脉早期图像数据经后处理获得肝脏CT血管造影图像。分析肝脏及癌肿血供系统MSCTA表现 ,以及静脉癌栓、动静脉瘘的MSCTA表现。结果 :动脉早期扫描MSCTA能完整显示中晚期肝癌肝脏及癌肿供血动脉起源、形态、数目 ,显示动静脉瘘征象优于标准肝脏双期扫描。结论 :动脉早期扫描MSCTA在中晚期肝癌具有良好的临床应用前景 ,可作为中晚期肝癌治疗前进行综合评估的影像学检查方法     

门静脉癌栓螺旋CT及CT门静脉造影的诊断价值

目的：评价门静脉癌栓螺旋CT及其门静脉血管造影（CTP）的特征及诊断价值。方法：43例门静脉癌栓形成的患者作了螺旋CT平扫和增强扫描，30例进行了多平面重组（MPR）和CTP成像，15例患者治疗的作了CT随访。结果：螺旋CT轴位和MPR图像能清晰显示门静脉癌栓，直接的CT征象为门静脉增粗及充盈缺损23％在动脉期癌栓有不均匀强化；间接征象包括门静脉管壁强化（42％）、侧支循环形成（100％）、门静脉海绵样变（44％）及周围肝脏血流动力学的改变。CTP能直观地评价门静脉的癌栓位置、管径及阻塞程度和侧支循环的情况。CT扫描可很好地显示门静脉癌栓治疗后的变化情况。结论：螺旋CT轴位图像结合MPR和CTP图像，可以便完整的提供门静脉癌栓的全面资料。     

Early Recurring Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Partial Hepatic Resection: Preoperative CT Findings

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of preoperative CT in predicting early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after partial hepatic resection.

Materials and Methods

Preoperative three-phase helical CT scans in 53 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists. In 27 patients (group I), HCC had recurred within six months, while 26 (group II) had remained disease free for at least two years. In each group, preoperative CT findings were evaluated in each group for the tumor size and number, the presence or absence of capsule, distinctness of tumor margin, perinodular extension, and the presence or absence of portal vein thrombosis.

Results

In group I, a tumor capsule of tumor was seen in five of 27 patients (19%), and in group II, in 16 of 26 (62%) (p = .001). The tumor margin was distinct in eight patients (30%) in group I and in 20 (77%) in group II (p = .001). Multiple tumors, perinodular extension, and portal vein thrombosis were more frequently seen in group I but the differences were not statistically significant (p > .05). Tumor size was similar in each group (p > .05).

Conclusion

Preoperative CT findings that may help predict the early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection are an absence of capsule of tumors and an indistinct margin. Reference to these findings during preoperative CT can guide clinicians in their choice of treatment.     

CT of hepatoma: effects of portal vein obstruction

CT images were studied in five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with obstruction of branches of the portal vein. Two were solitary tumors located near the porta hepatis and were seen as low density areas. In addition noncancerous areas with impaired portal drainage also had lower densities than normally perfused areas. In one instance, gross and histologic studies performed on the resected specimen showed atrophy of hepatic tissue. The other three patients had disseminated tumors with multiple low density areas on CT. Additional low density areas were seen in patients with concomitant obstruction of branches of the portal vein. A decrease in portal blood flow will change the appearance of hepatocellular carcinoma of CT.     

CT diagnosis of abdominal lymph node metastases in hepatocellular carcinoma

CT scanning is useful for diagnosing abdominal lymph node metastasis. Using this technique, histologically confirmed abdominal lymph node metastases were detected in nine of 49 patients (33 autopsy cases and 16 laparotomy cases) with hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatoma). Among the 49 patients, three had periportal (6.1%), six peripancreatic (12.2.%) and six para-aortic adenopathies (12.2%). Two of the patients had adenopathy at all three sites. Retrospectively, CT detected two periportal, four peripancreatic and all six para-aortic adenopathies. Most of the hepatomas with adenopathy showed infiltrative growth; tumour thrombosis of the portal vein was a common complication.     

门静脉海绵样变的64层CT诊断

目的探讨64层CT增强扫描及门静脉血管成像在门静脉海绵样变(cavernous transformation of the por-tal vein,CTPV)诊断中的价值。资料与方法回顾性分析35例CTPA患者的CT和临床资料,按门静脉阻塞部位、程度和范围进行分型。结果本组CTPV病因中,肝硬化17例(合并肝癌7例),肝细胞癌12例,胆管细胞癌1例,胃癌4例,胰腺癌2例,胰腺炎1例,肝内胆管结石2例,十二指肠癌1例;另2例病因不明。所有病例门静脉阻塞周围均可见细小、扩张的门-门侧支血管影;15例出现胆管扩张,33例均出现胃食管静脉曲张;11例出现肝脏异常血流灌注征象。CTPV按门静脉阻塞部位分为肝内型4例,肝外型7例,肝内外混合型24例;按阻塞程度分为狭窄3例,闭塞32例;按门静脉累及范围分为节段性9例,弥漫性26例。结论 64层CT可用于评价CTPV的病因、门静脉阻塞情况、侧支血管及伴随的并发症,对诊断CTPV具有重要临床价值。     

Hepatofugal arterial signal in the main portal vein: an indicator of intravascular tumor spread.

Five patients with thrombosis of the main portal vein underwent Doppler ultrasound (US). Three of these patients had confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma. Doppler US allowed differentiation between bland thrombus and tumor thrombus in two of the three patients. Tumor thrombus of the main portal vein was characterized at US by an intraportal arterial waveform in a hepatofugal direction.     

经皮门静脉栓塞治疗肝癌的临床应用

目的探讨经皮选择性门静脉右支栓塞(PVE)在肝癌治疗中的应用价值。方法12例无手术切除指征的中晚期肝癌患者,在电视透视引导下经导管行经皮穿肝或穿脾行PVE。栓塞前、后用CT测量左侧肝叶的体积,并测量栓塞前后的门静脉压力、肝功能。结果12例患者均成功行经皮PVE,栓塞术后左肝叶代偿增生明显,其中3例PVE后顺利实行右肝切除术。PVE后未出现门静脉高压,肝功能损害轻,均未发现并发症。结论经皮选择性PVE能诱导非栓塞侧肝叶代偿性增生及栓塞侧肝叶萎缩,增加肿瘤手术切除机会,提高手术切除的安全性,对于无法手术切除的肝癌患者重新获得手术切除的机会,具有潜在的临床应用价值。     

Percutaneous ethanol injection as a possible curative treatment for malignant portal vein thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Postoperative residual hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with malignant portal vein thrombosis in a 48-year-old man was cured with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the parenchymalportion and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for the malignantportal vein thrombosis. No evidence of tumor recurrence was noted after18 months of follow-up. The only severe complication in our patient wasbiliary stricture which was treated with an internal stent viaendoscopic retrograde pancreatico-cholangiography (ERCP).