Optimizing scanning phases in detecting small (<2 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma: whole-liver dynamic study with multidetector row CT

OBJECTIVE: To define the optimal scanning phases for detecting small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with whole-liver dynamic helical computed tomography. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with 112 hypervascular HCCs smaller than 2 cm underwent 7-phase dynamic study from the early arterial to the late equilibrium phases of the entire liver. Proof of neoplasms was based on biopsy results and computed tomography with iodized oil. Time-density curves of the individual tumor and the liver were compared. RESULTS: Of 112 hypervascular nodules, the late arterial phase had the best liver-tumor conspicuity (P < 0.001). Ninety-one nodules (81%) had peak liver-tumor contrast in late arterial phase, and only 21 (19%) in the early arterial phase. All the hypervascular HCCs became isoattenuating to the regional parenchyma before the late portal venous phase (120th second). CONCLUSION: The late arterial and late portal venous phases are recommended for detecting small HCC smaller than 2 cm.     

Detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging with double-echo chemical shift in-phase and opposed-phase gradient echo technique: comparison with dynamic helical computed tomography imaging with double arterial phase

PURPOSE: The technique of double-echo chemical shift gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the fast low-angle shot (double-echo FLASH) sequence provides in-phase and opposed-phase images in a single breath hold. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dynamic MRI with double-echo FLASH imaging for the detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma by comparing it with dynamic helical computed tomography (CT) imaging with double arterial phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with 67 hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma nodules who underwent both dynamic MRI with double-echo FLASH imaging (repetition time/echo time/flip angle: 160/3.6, 7.0/80 degrees ) and dynamic helical CT imaging with double arterial phase were enrolled in the study. For dynamic MRI, precontrast, arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium phase images were obtained before and approximately 19, 60, and 120 seconds, respectively, after intravenous injection of 0.1 mmol/kg of gadopentetate dimeglumine at a rate of 2 ml/s. For dynamic CT imaging, quadraphase images, including early arterial, late arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium phases, were obtained serially approximately 20, 30, 70, and 180 seconds, respectively, after intravenous administration of 2 ml/kg of 300 mgI/ml of nonionic contrast medium at a rate of 5 ml/s. Three masked observers independently interpreted images obtained with each technique in random order, separately and without patient identifiers. Sensitivity and positive predictive values as well as the area below the alternative-free response receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) for each imaging technique were calculated and compared statistically. RESULTS: Mean sensitivity and positive predictive values of MRI for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma were 48% and 94%, respectively, and those of CT imaging were 47% and 91%, respectively. In 11 (38%) of the 29 patients, at least one observer judged dynamic MRI to be superior, whereas in 5 patients (17%), dynamic CT was judged to be superior. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity and positive predictive values between these techniques (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference either in mean Az values between CT (0.55) and MRI (0.57) (p = 0.61). CONCLUSION: Dynamic MRI with double-echo FLASH imaging can detect hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma as well as dynamic helical CT imaging with double arterial phase.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: role of unenhanced and delayed phase multi-detector row helical CT in patients with cirrhosis

PURPOSE: To determine, by using multi-detector row helical computed tomography (CT), the added value of obtaining unenhanced and delayed phase scans in addition to biphasic (hepatic arterial and portal venous phases) scans in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Local ethical committee approval and patient consent were obtained. One hundred ninety-five patients (129 men, 66 women; mean age, 61 years; age range, 39-78 years) with 250 HCCs underwent multi-detector row helical CT of the liver. A quadruple-phase protocol that included unenhanced, hepatic arterial, portal venous, and delayed phases was performed. Analysis of images from hepatic arterial and portal venous phases combined, hepatic arterial and portal venous phases with the unenhanced phase, hepatic arterial and portal venous phases with the delayed phase, and all phases combined was performed separately by three independent radiologists. Relative sensitivity, positive predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (A(z)) were calculated for each reading session. RESULTS: Mean sensitivity and positive predictive values, respectively, for HCC detection were 88.8% (666 of 750 readings) and 97.8% (666 of 681 readings) for the combined hepatic arterial and portal venous phases, 89.2% (669 of 750 readings) and 97.8% (669 of 684 readings) for hepatic arterial and portal venous phases with the unenhanced phase, 92.8% (696 of 750 readings) and 97.3% (696 of 715 readings) for hepatic arterial and portal venous phases with the delayed phase, and 92.8% (696 of 750 readings) and 97.3% (696 of 715 readings) for all four phases combined. The reading sessions in which delayed phase images were available for interpretation showed significantly (P < .05) superior sensitivity and A(z) values. CONCLUSION: Unenhanced phase images are not effective for HCC detection. Because of the significant increase in HCC detection, a delayed phase can be a useful adjunct to biphasic CT in patients at risk for developing HCC.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: detection with triple-phase multi-detector row helical CT in patients with chronic hepatitis

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the use of two arterial phase image acquisition series, when combined with portal venous phase imaging at multi-detector row helical computed tomography (CT), would be superior enough to use of a single arterial phase image acquisition series to warrant the increased radiation dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multi-detector row CT was performed in 77 patients with 140 foci of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A triple-phase protocol that included an early arterial phase, a late arterial phase, and a portal venous phase was performed. Images were analyzed separately by three radiologists to document the presence and number of HCC nodules. Separate reading sessions were performed for images from the early arterial phase, images from the late arterial phase, images from both arterial phases combined, and images from all three phases. Sensitivity and positive predictive values were calculated for each reading session. RESULTS: The average sensitivity and positive predictive values, respectively, for the detection of HCC were 48.5% and 96.4% for early arterial phase images, 87.1% and 94.0% for late arterial phase images, 87.1% and 94.0% for images from both arterial phases, and 88.5% and 93.4% for images from all three phases. Analysis of images from both arterial phases together yielded no improvement in either sensitivity or positive predictive value compared with analysis of late arterial phase images alone. Analysis of the combination of late arterial and portal venous phase images resulted in the highest sensitivity value. CONCLUSION: The acquisition of images during two arterial contrast phases does not provide additional benefit over timed conventional biphasic CT technique.     

结节型肝细胞癌的螺旋CT多期扫描

目的：描述结节型肝细胞癌的螺旋ＣＴ动脉期、门脉期和延迟期增强特点,比较各期的病灶检出率,重点评价动脉期、延迟期的价值。方法：２６例结节型肝细胞癌病人行螺旋ＣＴ双期、三期动态扫描后,观察病灶的强化方式,统计各期病灶检出数。结果：２６例基于手术病理和影像方法共发现４５ 个病灶,螺旋ＣＴ多期扫描共发现４２个,平扫、肝动脉期、门脉期、延迟期及三期合计的检出率分别为６６．７％ 、８６．７％ 、７１．１％ 、６５．２％ 、９３．３％ 。动脉期检出敏感性明显高于其他各期,三期结合可明显提高对结节型肝癌的检出率。结论：螺旋ＣＴ多期动态扫描能显示肝细胞癌的增强特点,明显提高结节型肝细胞癌的检出敏感性。     

Evaluation of the vascular pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma with dynamic computed tomography and its use in identifying optimal temporal windows for helical computed tomography

The aim of this work was to study the vascularization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by means of dynamic CT and to demonstrate the existence of optimal temporal windows for visualization of HCC in order to develop new protocols for helical CT of the liver. We studied, by means of dynamic CT, 42 histologically proved HCCs in 30 patients after injecting contrast medium (100 ml, 3 ml/s). We performed a time–density analysis of the aorta, liver, portal vein, spleen and lesion. We identified three temporal curves of attenuation of the neoplastic tissue. Curve 1 was three-phasic: hyperattenuation, isoattenuation and hypoattenuation; curve 2 was two-phasic: hyperattenuation and isoattenuation; curve 3 was two-phasic: isoattenuation and hypoattenuation. Thirty-two lesions were homogeneous (curve 1 in 22 cases, 68.7 %; curve 2 in 7 cases, 21.8 %; curve 3 in 3 cases, 9.4 %), whereas 10 lesions were non-homogeneous. Two optimal temporal windows were identified: the first, with predominantly hyperattenuating lesions (range 29–65 s, 90.4 % sensitivity); the second, with predominantly hypoattenuating lesions (range 132.1–360 s, 76.1 %). There is an interposed time range of reduced visualization (range 62–127 s, 54.7 %) in which lesions are isoattenuating. Combined CT study during the first and second temporal windows improves the detection of HCCs especially for homogeneous and small lesions. The intermediate isoattenuation time range does not increase lesion detection rate. Received: 22 March 1996; Revision received 3 September 1996; Accepted 21 March 1997     

肝脏螺旋CT动态增强扫描时肝动脉期肝实质一过性异常强化的研究

目的　研究肝脏螺旋CT动态增强扫描时肝动脉期肝实质一过性异常强化 (transienthepaticabnormalenhancement,THAE)的表现特征 ,探讨其产生原因及临床意义。方法　 1999年 1月至2 0 0 1年 9月 92 6例患者因各种原因接受了肝脏或上腹部螺旋CT扫描。CT扫描常规先作全肝或上腹部螺旋CT平扫 ;注射对比剂开始后 2 5～ 3 0s行肝动脉期扫描 ,65～ 70s行门静脉期扫描 ;对部分病例还行病灶局部延迟扫描 ,延迟时间为 3、5及 10～ 15min。肝动脉期共检出 82例 (男 72例 ,女 10例 ;年龄 2 6～ 78岁 )具有THAE ,着重对其在平扫和增强各期图像上的表现、与肝内或肝外病灶的关系以及门静脉系统情况做详细观察和记录。结果　 82例 (8 9% )共有 12 2处肝动脉期THAE ,其中 110处(90 2 % )平扫未显示THAE区域密度异常 ,12处 (9 8% )呈稍低密度 ;所有 12 2处THAE在肝动脉期都为均匀的高密度影 ;在门静脉期 ,10 9处 (89 3 % )转为等密度而不能分辨 ,余 13处 (10 7% )为均匀稍高密度影 (其中 10处作了延迟扫描 ,均转为等密度 )。 83处 (68 0 % )THAE呈边缘光滑的楔形或扇形 ,2 9处呈不规则形 (2 3 8% ) ,余为其他形状。THAE紧贴肝内肿瘤或其他病灶的有 46处 (3 7 7% ) ,邻近肝外肿瘤或其他病灶 2 0处 (16 4% ) ,余 5 6处 (45     

Hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma: detection with double arterial phase multi-detector row helical CT

PURPOSE: To assess whether double arterial phase imaging with multi-detector row helical computed tomography improves detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients with 96 hypervascular HCCs underwent double arterial phase imaging of the entire liver. At measured delay after intravenous administration of 2 mL/kg of contrast medium at a rate of 5 mL/sec, the early and late arterial phase images were obtained serially during a single breath hold with interscan delay of 5.0 seconds. Detector row configuration of 2.5 x 4 mm, pitch of 6, and scanning time of 10.5 seconds for each phase were used. Forty 5-mm-thick reconstruction images were obtained for each phase. Each image set was interpreted separately by three observers, who were unaware of tumor burden in the liver, to detect hypervascular HCC. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and area below the receiver operating characteristic curve (A(z)) for early and late arterial phases separately and together were calculated. RESULTS: Mean sensitivity and positive predictive value for hypervascular HCC were 54% and 85% for the early arterial phase, 78% and 83% for the late arterial phase, and 86% and 92% for the double arterial phase, respectively. Double arterial phase imaging showed significantly superior sensitivity compared with early or late arterial phase imaging alone for detecting HCC (P <.05). The mean A(z) value for double arterial phase was significantly higher than that for early or late arterial phase imaging alone (P <.05). Double arterial phase imaging showed the lowest number of false-positive lesions. CONCLUSION: Double arterial phase imaging is recommended to improve detection of hypervascular HCCs and reduce false-positive lesions.     

Efficacy of double arterial phase dynamic magnetic resonance imaging with the sensitivity encoding technique versus dynamic multidetector-row helical computed tomography for detecting hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of double arterial phase dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the sensitivity encoding technique (SENSE dynamic MRI) for detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in comparison with double arterial phase dynamic multidetector-row helical computed tomography (dynamic MDCT). Materials and methods  A total of 28 patients with 66 hypervascular HCCs underwent both double arterial SENSE dynamic MRI and dynamic MDCT. The diagnosis of HCC was based on surgical resection (n = 7), biopsy (n = 10), or a combination of CT during arterial portography (CTAP), CT during hepatic arteriography (CTA), and/or the 6-month follow-up CT (n = 49). Based on alternative-free response receiving operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the diagnostic performance for detecting HCC was compared between double arterial phase SENSE dynamic MRI and double arterial phase dynamic MDCT. Results  The mean sensitivity, positive predictive value, and mean Az values for hypervascular HCCs were 72%, 80%, and 0.79, respectively, for SENSE dynamic MRI and 66%, 92%, and 0.78, respectively, for dynamic MDCT. The mean sensitivity for double arterial phase SENSE dynamic MRI was higher than that for double arterial phase dynamic MDCT, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion  Double arterial phase SENSE dynamic MRI is as valuable as double arterial phase dynamic MDCT for detecting hypervascular HCCs.     

Xenon-inhalation computed tomography for noninvasive quantitative measurement of tissue blood flow in hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to separately measure the arterial and portal venous tissue blood flow (TBF) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a noninvasive method using xenon inhalation CT (xenon-CT) and to differentiate between well-differentiated HCCs and moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total, arterial and portal venous TBFs of 38 surgically proven HCC nodules from 38 patients were measured by means of xenon-CT. Serial abdominal CT scans were obtained before and after inhalation of nonradioactive xenon gas. TBF was computed using the Fick principle, after which the correlation between TBF and pathologic features of the tumors was determined. RESULTS: Total, arterial, and portal venous TBFs of HCC were 125.7 +/- 59.9 mL/min/100g, 102.5 +/- 37.3, and 22.2 +/- 11.4, respectively, and the corresponding findings for hepatic parenchyma were 67.3 +/- 13.1, 25.2 +/-9.6, and 42.4 +/- 11.0. Total and arterial TBFs of HCC were significantly higher than those of the hepatic parenchyma (P < 0.01), whereas portal venous TBF of HCC was significantly lower than that of hepatic parenchyma (P < 0.01). Arterial TBF of moderately or poorly differentiated HCC (120.4 +/- 38.2) was significantly higher than that of well-differentiated HCC (60.4 +/- 43.5) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial and portal venous TBFs of HCC could be measured separately, noninvasively, and safely with xenon-CT. Correlation between TBF and pathologic features of tumors indicate that xenon-CT can be used to differentiate between well-differentiated HCCs and moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs.     

螺旋CT对结节型肝细胞癌的多期扫描表现分析

目的：描述结节型肝细胞癌的螺旋CT动脉期、门静脉期和延迟期增强特点,比较各期的病灶的检出率,重点评价动脉期、延迟期的价值。方法：36例结节型肝细胞癌患者行螺旋CT双期、三期动态扫描后,观察病灶的强化方式,统计各期病灶的检出率。结果：36例55个病灶,螺旋CT多期扫描共发现52个,平扫、肝动脉期、门脉期、延迟期及三期合计的检出率分别为70．9％,87．2％、72．7％,68．7％、94．5％。动脉期检出敏感性明显高于其它各期,三期结合可明显提高对结节型肝癌的检出率。结论：螺旋CT多期扫描能显示肝细胞癌的增强特点,明显提高结节型肝细胞癌的检出敏感性。     

Neoangiogenesis and sinusoidal capillarization in hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation between dynamic CT and density of tumor microvessels

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the correlation between the degree of contrast enhancement on dynamic computed tomographic (CT) scans and the degree of neoangiogenesis and sinusoidal capillarization in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board did not require approval or informed patient's consent for the review of medical records or images. Dynamic CT scans of 97 nodular HCCs in 97 patients (79 men, 18 women; age range, 29-73 years; mean age, 54 years) were evaluated in terms of the attenuation change in the arterial, portal venous, and delayed phases, and the results were correlated with the number of unpaired arteries and the degree of sinusoidal capillarization at histopathologic examination. The mean attenuation value of the nodular HCCs on triple-phase helical CT scans was correlated with the number of unpaired arteries and the degree of sinusoidal capillarization. Statistical analysis was performed with the Spearman rank correlation test. RESULTS: The number of unpaired arteries in the nodular HCCs was found to correlate with the degree of contrast enhancement in the arterial phase (r = 0.225, P = .027), but did not correlate with the degree of contrast enhancement in the portal and delayed phases. The degree of sinusoidal capillarization did not correlate linearly with the mean attenuation of the nodular HCCs in any phase of contrast enhancement. CONCLUSION: The degree of contrast enhancement of the nodular HCCs in the arterial phase tended to correlate with the number of unpaired arteries, but no correlation was evident between the degree of contrast enhancement and sinusoidal capillarization in any phase of CT imaging.     

螺旋CT双期或三期扫描对肝脏占位性病变的诊断

目的：分析肝脏螺旋CT双期或三期扫描表现，探讨其对原发性肝癌、肝转移瘤、肝血管瘤的诊断及鉴别诊断的意义。方法：经临床证实25例，均作螺旋CT平扫、动脉期、门脉期及部分平衡期和延迟期扫描，并分析螺旋CT多期扫描表现。结果：原发性肝癌动脉期明显强化而肝脏无强化，形成鲜明的对比，门脉期呈相对低密度或恢复到平扫时表现。肝血管瘤CT特征为动脉期呈边缘性环状、结节样强化，门脉期病灶边缘强化向中心强化并充满病灶呈高密度，平衡期呈等密度或低密度肝转移瘤表现多样化，周边强化或不均匀强化或不强化。结论：螺旋CT双期或三期扫描已作为对肝脏占位性病变的主要检查方法，并作为常规。     

Value of the unenhanced phase for detection of hepatocellular carcinomas 3 cm or less when performing multiphase computed tomography in patients with cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether unenhanced images are of added benefit to dual-phase computed tomography (CT) for detection of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) 3 cm or less. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with cirrhosis underwent unenhanced, arterial and portal venous phase CT, 17 with pathologically proven HCCs 3 cm or less and 19 without HCC. Two radiologists reviewed dual-phase images with and without unenhanced images. Presence or absence of HCC in each segment (n = 324) and subjective added benefit of unenhanced images were recorded. RESULTS: For readers 1 and 2, unenhanced CT was subjectively helpful in 16 (5%) of 324 and 23 (7%) of 324 segments. Sensitivity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were identical for dual-phase versus triple-phase images for reader 1 (82.4% and 0.882) and reader 2 (100% and 0.997). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of unenhanced to dual-phase CT does not statistically significantly increase the diagnostic accuracy or sensitivity for HCCs 3 cm or less.     

Prediction of viable tumor in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: usefulness of attenuation value measurement at quadruple-phase helical computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of attenuation value measurement at quadruple-phase helical computed tomography (CT) for predicting viable tumor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: Thirty-two patients who had an iodized-oil defect area (IODA) in HCCs treated with TACE were included in our study; these patients were divided into group 1 (n = 21) with viable tumor and group 2 (n = 11) without viable tumor in the IODA. All the patients underwent quadruple-phase helical CT (unenhanced and contrast-enhanced hepatic arterial, portal venous and equilibrium phases) before and after TACE. The attenuation difference of the IODA between unenhanced and each contrast-enhanced phase was measured, and the attenuation degree of the IODA relative to the hepatic parenchyma were subjectively assessed and then compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The mean attenuation differences of the IODAs were 28.8, 35.9, and 25.6 Hounsfield unit (HU) in group 1 and 0.4, 1.9, and 2.0 HU in group 2 at the hepatic arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium phases, respectively, with statistically significant difference for each phase (P < 0.05). The IODAs had attenuation difference of more than 20 HU on at least 1 contrast-enhanced phase in group 1 and less than 5 HU at all contrast-enhanced phases in group 2. For the attenuation degree of IODAs relative to the hepatic parenchyma, 12 patients (57%) showed hyperattenuation at the hepatic arterial phase, and remaining nine (43%) at the hepatic arterial phase and all patients at the portal venous and equilibrium phases showed isoattenuation or hypoattenuation in group 1. In group 2, all the patients showed hypoattenuation at all the 3 phases. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of viable tumor of the IODA in HCC treated with TACE can be precisely assessed by measuring attenuation values, strongly suggesting viable tumor when the attenuation difference is more than 20 HU on at least 1 contrast-enhanced phase at quadruple-phase helical CT.     

Triple arterial phase dynamic MRI with sensitivity encoding for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of the diagnostic accuracy among the early, middle, late, and whole triple arterial phase imaging

OBJECTIVE: We assessed and compared the diagnostic accuracy of the early, middle, late, and whole triple arterial phase MRI with sensitivity encoding (SENSE) for the detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with 102 HCCs underwent dynamic MRI with SENSE. The findings of CT examinations, combined with those of visceral angiography or histopathologic examination, were used as the gold standard. After acquisition of T1- and T2-weighted images, gadolinium-enhanced triple arterial, portal, and delayed phase images were obtained. Acquisition of the triple arterial phase imaging was started at the timing of peak aortic enhancement and completed within a single breath-hold. Acquisition time for each phase was 8.4 sec. Four image sets including the early, middle, late, and whole triple arterial phase imaging were interpreted separately by four observers. The mean values of area under alternative-free-response receiver operating characteristic (AFROC) curve and of sensitivity were compared among the four image sets. RESULTS: The mean values of area under AFROC curve were 0.52, 0.66, 0.53, and 0.68 and of sensitivity were 45%, 64%, 48%, and 65% for the image sets with the early, middle, late, and whole triple arterial phase imaging, respectively. Both mean values were significantly higher for the image sets with the middle and whole triple arterial phase imaging than for those with the early and late arterial phase imaging. CONCLUSION: The middle arterial phase imaging with k-space centered at 12.6 sec after the peak aortic enhancement was optimal for detecting HCC and showed diagnostic accuracy equivalent to that of the whole triple arterial phase imaging.     

肝细胞癌肝实质一过性异常强化病理研究

目的:探讨肝细胞癌肝实质一过性异常强化的影像学特征及病理改变。方法:选择肝脏动态增强CT扫描肝细胞癌合并肝实质一过性异常强化征象病例21例,以肝实质一过性异常强化区域为研究对象,并通过手术切除和CT引导下穿刺活检的方法进行病理检查。结果:肝实质一过性异常强化征象表现为肿块以外肝实质动脉期显著强化,门静脉期或延迟期呈等密度,楔形或三角形13例,不规则形9例,叶段形6例。肝实质一过性异常强化征象与癌细胞向周围扩散和肝内转移无相关性。结论:明确肝细胞癌肝实质一过性异常强化的形成机制及病理基础,有助于肿瘤的分期和制定治疗方案。     

Small hypervascular enhancing lesions on arterial phase images of multiphase dynamic computed tomography in cirrhotic liver: fate and implications

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the significance of small hypervascular enhancing lesions exclusively on the arterial phase images of dynamic computed tomography in cirrhotic liver. METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine enhancing lesions (>5 and <30 mm) on the arterial phase images of dynamic computed tomography in 67 patients with cirrhotic liver, not distinguished from background hepatic parenchyma on equilibrium phase images without hypoattenuation density on portal phase images, were subjected to a retrospective assessment in terms of the lesion growth in addition to the location, size, and contour of the lesions, depending on the final diagnoses of the individual lesions. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (17%) of the 169 enhancing lesions were hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). All of the 43 wedge-shaped, subcapsular lesions were benign, and 126 nodular or irregular lesions were subcapsularly (benign, n = 59; HCC, n = 11) or centrally (benign, n = 39; HCC, n = 17) located. Significant differences were found between HCCs and benign lesions in terms of their shape (P = 0.002) and location (P = 0.041), and the positive and negative predictive values of centrally located lesions for diagnosing HCCs were 21% and 85%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of HCC based on the lesion growth were 90% and 93%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low positive predictive value of non-wedge-shaped, centrally located, early enhancing lesions in the diagnosis of HCC, the serial follow-up for examining lesion growth is essential to the correct diagnosis of small arterial hypervascular lesions in cirrhotic liver.     

Evaluation of optimal timing of arterial phase imaging for the detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma by using triple arterial phase imaging with multidetector-row helical computed tomography

PURPOSE: We evaluated the optimal timing of arterial phase imaging for detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma by using triple arterial phase imaging with multidetector-row helical computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with 90 hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas (3 to 50 mm in diameter; mean, 18.7 mm) underwent triple arterial phase imaging of the whole liver using a multidetector-row helical computed tomography. At 20 seconds, 30 seconds, and 40 seconds after intravenous administration of 100 mL of 300 mgI/mL of nonionic contrast medium at a rate of 4 mL/s, early, middle, and late arterial phase images were obtained serially during a single breath-hold with an interscan delay of 5 seconds. Detector-row configurations of 4 mm x 4, scan pitch of 5.5, and scan time of 5 seconds for each phase were used. Forty prospective reconstruction images of 5-mm thickness for each phase were obtained. The images from each phase were interpreted separately for detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma by 3 observers independently who were unaware of tumor burden in the liver. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for each arterial phase were calculated and compared statistically. RESULTS: The mean sensitivity and positive predictive values for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis of blind readers were 37% and 87% for the early arterial phase, 73% and 85% for the middle arterial phase, and 49% and 81% for the late arterial phase, respectively. The middle arterial phase imaging showed significantly superior sensitivity compared with the early and late arterial phase for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (P < 0.05). Mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of the middle arterial phase imaging (0.84) was significantly higher that that of the early (0.56) or late arterial phase (0.62; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: If a single arterial phase is used for diagnosis of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma, the middle phase (delay time of 30 seconds) is optimal.     

Multidetector CT of the liver and hepatic neoplasms: effect of multiphasic imaging on tumor conspicuity and vascular enhancement

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine which of three contrast-enhanced phases (early arterial, late arterial, or portal venous) was optimal for achieving maximal enhancement of the celiac artery, portal vein, and hepatic parenchyma. We also wanted to learn which phase provided the maximal tumor-to-parenchyma difference when using multidetector CT (MDCT) with fixed timing delays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients with suspected or known hepatic tumors underwent multiphasic contrast-enhanced MDCT using double arterial (early and late arterial) and venous phase acquisitions with fixed timing delays. All patients were administered 150 mL of IV contrast material at an injection rate of 4 mL/sec. Images were acquired at 20 sec for the early arterial phase, 35 sec for the late arterial phase, and 60 sec for the portal venous phase. Attenuation measurements of the celiac artery, portal vein, normal hepatic parenchyma, and the hepatic tumor were compared. Three reviewers independently and subjectively rated tumor conspicuity for each of the three phases. Ratings were compared using kappa statistics. RESULTS: Late arterial phase images showed maximal celiac axis attenuation, whereas portal venous phase images revealed the highest portal vein and normal hepatic parenchymal attenuation. Maximal tumor-to-parenchyma differences for hypovascular tumors was superior in the portal venous phase, but we found no significant differences in maximal tumor-to-parenchyma differences for hypervascular tumors among the evaluated phases. On subjective analysis, interobserver agreement was moderate to very good for the three phases. All three reviewers graded both hypovascular and hypervascular tumor conspicuity as superior in either the late arterial phase or the portal venous phase in most patients. In only one patient was the early arterial phase graded as superior to the late arterial and portal venous phases (by two of the three reviewers). CONCLUSION: When MDCT of the liver is performed using fixed timing delays, maximal vascular and hepatic parenchymal enhancement is achieved on either late arterial phase or portal venous phase imaging. In most patients, early arterial phase imaging does not improve tumor conspicuity by either quantitative or subjective analysis.