Diagnosis of hepatic neoplasms using CT arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography

Both computed tomography arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA) are CT techniques with angiographic assistance. The detection sensitivity of these techniques is high because marked lesion contrast can be obtained using direct delivery of contrast materials to the liver parenchyma or the tumors. The use of CTAP and CTHA may improve therapeutic results after transarterial embolization therapy for hepatocellular carcinomas because of their high diagnostic accuracy. Findings on CTAP or CTHA can sometimes help characterize the hepatic focal lesions. Thus, CTAP and CTHA are frequently performed as pretreatment examinations, although they are invasive compared to intravenous (IV) contrast-enhanced CT or magnetic resonance imaging. However, there are some potential pitfalls, such as nontumorous perfusion abnormalities. CTAP and CTHA are less effective for evaluation of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. This article presents a current overview of CTAP and CTHA technique for diagnosis of hepatic neoplasms.     

Diagnostic accuracy of helical CT arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography for hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver damage. An ROC analysis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the detectability of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in chronic liver damage with helical CT arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-nine HCC patients who underwent CTAP and CTHA were studied. Diagnostic abilities of CTAP alone, CTHA alone, or combined CTAP and CTHA were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Fifty-three images with 53 HCC nodules were evaluated. Tumor size ranged from 5 to 90 mm (mean 22.8 mm). Sensitivities and specificities for all techniques were calculated. RESULTS: ROC analysis showed the diagnostic ability significantly better with combined CTAP and CTHA (mean area under the ROC curve (Az)=0.95), or CTHA alone (Az=0.93) than CTAP alone (Az=0.87) (p<0.01). Combined CTAP and CTHA showed the best sensitivity (95.0%), followed by CTHA alone (88.1%) and CTAP alone (85.5%). The specificities of all three imaging techniques were relatively low (54.1% for combined CTAP and CTHA, 71.1% for CTHA alone, and 54.1% for CTAP alone) because of perfusion abnormalities of the liver parenchyma. CONCLUSION: The combination of CTAP and CTHA is superior to CTAP alone for detection of hypervascular HCCs. However, its specificity was relatively low in chronic liver damage.     

Regenerative nodules in liver cirrhosis: findings at CT during arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography with histopathologic correlation

PURPOSE: To determine the appearance of regenerative nodules in patients with liver cirrhosis at computed tomography (CT) during arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CTAP and CTHA of the liver were performed in 28 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who were scheduled to undergo partial resection of the liver. Helical CTAP was performed after contrast material injection into the superior mesenteric artery followed by helical CTHA after contrast material injection into the hepatic artery. CT scans were analyzed for the presence of identifiable nodules and their size; results were correlated with gross and microscopic findings. RESULTS: Resected livers showed cirrhosis in 20 patients, chronic hepatitis in four, and normal liver in four. Among the 20 patients with cirrhosis, regenerative nodules were demonstrated as enhancing 3-10 mm nodules surrounded by lower attenuation fibrous septa 0.8-1.5 mm thick at CTAP in seven patients and nonenhancing nodules of the same size surrounded by enhancing fibrous septa at CTHA in 15 patients. The degree of fibrosis determined the conspicuity of nodules. CONCLUSION: Regenerative nodules in cirrhotic liver are visualized as enhancing nodules surrounded by lower attenuation thin septa at CTAP and nonenhancing nodules surrounded by enhancing fibrous septa at CTHA. CTHA is more sensitive than CTAP in depicting regenerative nodules (P < .005).     

Hepatic arterioportal shunts not directly related to hepatocellular carcinoma: findings on CT during hepatic arteriography, CT arterial portography and dual phase spiral CT

AIM: To evaluate findings of arterioportal shunts not directly related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which were seen within third-order portal branches on computed tomography (CT) during hepatic arteriography (CTHA), arterial portography (CTAP), and dual phase spiral CT.MATERIALS AND METHODS: At CTHA in 112 patients, we examined third-order portal vein branches to find arterioportal shunts not directly related to HCC. Six cases were found. We evaluated the findings of these shunts on CTHA and investigated whether CTAP (n = 6) and dual phase spiral CT (n = 5) showed perfusion defects in the corresponding areas on arterioportal shunts. RESULTS: Five of six cases showed abrupt visualization of portal branches without visualization of the proximal portion of CTHA. Five of six cases showed no perfusion defect on CTAP and no hyperattenuating area on CTHA. Four of five cases showed no hyperattenuating area on hepatic arterial phase spiral CT. CONCLUSION: Arterioportal shunts not directly related to HCC and occuring within third-order portal branches mainly showed abrupt visualization of portal branches on CTHA. These occurred frequently without perfusion defects on CTAP and without a hyperattenuating area on CTHA and hepatic arterial phase spiral CT.Park, C. M. (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 465-470.     

Nontumorous Perfusion Abnormalities of Liver Parenchyma Adjacent to the Falciform Ligament As Revealed by Angiographic Helical Ct and Angiography

Purpose: To investigate nontumorous abnormalities in the liver around the falciform ligament as revealed by arteriography and helical CT arterial portography (CTAP) and helical CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA).Material and Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients simultaneously underwent hepatic arteriography and CTAP and CTHA of the common hepatic artery. The number, size, and shape of nontumorous defects of portal perfusion in the liver adjacent to the falciform ligament on CTAP as well as the nontumorous contrast enhancement in the same area on CTHA were determined. In 1 case, in which nontumorous enhancement was observed on CTHA, selective arteriography from the gastric arteries was performed.Results: On CTAP a nontumorous area of decreased portal perfusion of the liver around the falciform ligament was detected in 18 (15.4%) of the 117 patients, while nontumorous enhancement on CTHA was seen in 7 (6.0%). In 4 patients, both of these nontumorous abnormalities were observed. In the patient undergoing selective gastric arteriography, nonportal venous inflow to the liver in the direction to the liver adjacent to the falciform ligament was seen.Conclusion: One cause of nontumorous vascular abnormalities adjacent to the falciform ligament as shown on angiographic helical CT is aberrant gastric venous inflow to this region.     

肝动脉和经动脉门脉造影螺旋CT联合应用对肝癌的诊断价值

目的　探讨螺旋CT扫描在肝动脉造影CT(CTHA)和经动脉门脉造影CT(CTAP)对肝癌的诊断价值。方法　分析 2 1例肝癌病人CTAP和CTHA图像 ,并与螺旋CT三期增强扫描进行对照。结果　三期增强扫描病灶检出率为 72 .4% (5 5 /76) ;CTAP病灶检出率为 96.1% (73 /76) ;CTHA病灶检出率为 88.2 % (67/76) ;CTAP和CTHA联合应用病灶检出率为 98.7% (75 /76) ,可检出 0 .5cm的微小癌灶。CTAP和CTHA均可出现非病理性表现 ,CTAP灌注异常出现率为 2 2 .3 % ,CTHA非病理性强化灶出现率为 3 0 .2 %。结论　螺旋CT动脉造影能显著减少造影剂用量 ,提高图像质量 ,CTAP和CTHA联合应用肝癌病灶检出率明显高于CT三期增强扫描。CTAP和CTHA结合分析可减少假阳性率。     

Combination of CT during arterial portography and double-phase CT hepatic arteriography with multi-detector row helical CT for evaluation of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the combination of computed tomography (CT) during arterial portography (CTAP) and double-phase CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA) with multidetector-row CT (MDCT) for the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in patients with cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The combination of CTAP and double-phase CTHA was performed on 46 patients with 54 nodular HCCs. Three readers reviewed the images obtained with CTAP alone, first-phase CTHA alone, double-phase CTHA, and the combination of CTAP and double-phase CTHA. The review of the images was conducted on a segment-by-segment basis, with 368 hepatic segments, including 50 segments with 54 HCCs, reviewed for detection of HCCs with the aid of a five-point confidence scale. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by comparing the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis results. RESULTS: The sensitivity for detecting HCCs was significantly higher with either double-phase CTHA or the combination of CTAP and double-phase CTHA than with first-phase CTHA alone (90 and 93 versus 85%, respectively, p<0.01). The specificity for detecting HCCs was significantly higher with the combination of CTAP and double-phase CTHA than with CTAP alone (97 and 94%, respectively, p<0.01). The positive predictive values for detecting HCCs were significantly higher with double-phase CTHA than with first-phase CTHA alone (86 and 82%, respectively, p<0.05). The area under the ROC curve (Az) values were significantly higher with the combination of CTAP and double-phase CTHA (0.983) than with first-phase CTHA alone (0.959; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of CTAP and double-phase CTHA with MDCT significantly enhances the detection of HCC.     

Non-tumorous enhancement caused by cholecystic venous inflow shown on biphasic CT hepatic arteriography: comparison with hepatocellular carcinoma

The haemodynamics in non-tumorous abnormalities on CT arterial portography (CTAP) owing to cholecystic venous direct inflow to the liver were compared with the haemodynamics in hepatocellular carcinoma. 53 patients who simultaneously underwent CTAP and CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA) to detect hepatocellular carcinoma had the late phase added to CTHA. Changes in size, shape and pattern of 47 non-tumorous enhancement abnormalities on the liver around the gall bladder or in the dorsum of segment IV between the early and late phases on biphasic CTHA as well as of 60 tumorous lesions were determined. Enhancement on biphasic CTHA was seen in all 47 lesions with a non-tumorous portal defect (early phase alone, n=8; late phase alone, n = 3; both, n = 36). In these 47 lesions, the size and the shape of enhancement changed in 63.8% and 51.1%, respectively, between the early and late phases on CTHA; the pattern of enhancement did not change in 72.3%. On the other hand, the size of enhancement on biphasic CTHA changed in only 16.7% of 60 tumours, and the shape in only 5%, although the enhancement pattern changed in a large proportion (80%). In conclusion, owing to the difference in haemodynamics, non-tumorous abnormalities caused by cholecystic venous inflow and tumours are clearly delineated on biphasic CTHA. Thus, adding the late phase to previous single phase CTHA (i.e. performing biphasic CTHA) is useful in differentiating the two entities.     

Focal eosinophilic infiltration of the liver mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma: case reports

Focal eosinophilic infiltration is a rare disease entity that in patients with malignancies may mimic malignant hepatic nodules. We describe two cases in which focal eosinophilic infiltration of the liver, as well as primary liver cancer, occurred. In these patients, imaging findings similar to those observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were noted: Enhancement at dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging substantially increased perfusion at computed tomography during hepatic arteriography (CTHA) and a perfusion defect at computed tomography during arterial portography (CTAP).     

Pre-operative detection of malignant hepatic tumours: value of combined helical CT during arterial portography and biphasic CT during hepatic arteriography

AIMS: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the observer performance with combined helical CT during arterial portography (CTAP) and biphasic CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA) in the pre-operative detection of malignant hepatic tumours. METHODS: Computed tomography images obtained in 41 patients with suspected hepatic tumours were retrospectively reviewed. In a blind fashion, three off-site, independent radiologists reviewed CTAP and early-phase CTHA combined for the first review, then late-phase CTHA was added for the second review. Statistical analysis was conducted on lesion-by-lesion and segment-by-segment bases; a total of 328 liver segments including 65 segments with 74 malignant hepatic tumours ranging in size from 5 to 100 mm (mean, 21.4 mm) were analysed. RESULTS: Sensitivity for detection of liver segments harbouring tumours of CTAP and biphasic CTHA combined (82%) was identical to that of CTAP and early-phase CTHA combined (82%). Specificity of CTAP and biphasic CTHA combined (93%) was greater than that of CTAP and early-phase CTHA combined (90%, P < 0.005). The mean confidence level for the 74 tumours significantly increased by adding late-phase CTHA (P < 0.0005). The mean confidence level for 100-142 benign perfusion abnormalities detected with CTAP and early-phase CTHA combined significantly decreased by adding late-phase CTHA (P < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: By combining late-phase CTHA with CTAP and early-phase CTHA information, the specificity for the detection of malignant hepatic tumours rises significantly, allowing more accurate preoperative tumour detection.     

Progression to hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation with intranodular blood supply evaluated with CT during intraarterial injection of contrast material

PURPOSE: To analyze the correlation between intranodular blood supply of borderline lesions (ie, dysplastic nodules or hypovascular well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] nodules) and their progression to hypervascular classic HCC in cirrhotic livers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-six borderline lesions seen at computed tomography (CT) during arterial portography (CTAP) and CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA) were evaluated in 49 patients with cirrhosis who underwent repeated CTAP and/or CTHA but no therapy. On the basis of CTAP findings, nodules were categorized as group A (showing almost the same portal venous supply as the surrounding liver), group B (showing decreased portal venous supply) or group C (showing partially absent portal venous supply); on the basis of CTHA findings, nodules were categorized as group I (showing almost the same arterial supply as the liver), group II (showing decreased arterial supply), or group III (showing partially increased arterial supply). RESULTS: Progression to classic HCC was observed in 29.4% of group A nodules, 53.9% of group B nodules, and 87.9% of group C nodules within 1,000 days; in 58.6% of group I nodules, 12.9% of group II nodules, and 92.2% of group III nodules within 730 days; and in 0% of nodules in group A and I, 28% of nodules in group B and/or II, and 88.7% of nodules in group C and/or III within 730 days. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of intranodular blood supply was valuable in predicting the prognosis in borderline lesions, except when only arterial blood supply was evaluated.     

Ferumoxide-enhanced MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation with histologic tumor grade and tumor vascularity

PURPOSE: To evaluate ferumoxide-enhanced MR imaging findings of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in correlation with the histologic tumor grades and the tumor vascularity evaluated by CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA) and CT during arterial portography (CTAP) combined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By searching the radiologic, surgical, and pathologic reports of our institution between January 1999 and February 2001, we identified 43 patients with 51 pathologically confirmed HCCs who underwent ferumoxide-enhanced MR imaging and combination CTHA and CTAP within two weeks. The HCCs consisted of 17 well-differentiated, 28 moderately differentiated, and six poorly differentiated tumors. The MR and CT were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists in consensus for signal intensity on MR images and vascularity on CT. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated to correlate the frequency of tumors with ferumoxide uptake with the histologic tumor grades and the tumor vascularity on CTHA and CTAP. RESULTS: A total of 45 tumors (88%) did not take up ferumoxide, and thus showed distinct, homogeneous hyperintensity. Six tumors (12%) ranging 5-16 mm in size (mean, 11 mm) took up ferumoxide, and thus showed isointensity, mixed intensity, or hypointensity, including five of 17 (29%) well-differentiated tumors and one of 28 (4%) moderately differentiated tumors. Five of the six tumors (83%) showed hyper- or hypovascularity on CTHA or hypovascularity on CTAP. The frequency of tumors with ferumoxide uptake showed weak correlation with tumor grades (coefficient = 0.26, P < 0.01) and vascularity on CTHA (-0.35, P < 0.05) and CTAP (0.39, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Although a small number of well-differentiated HCC take up ferumoxide and show iso-, mixed, or hypointensity, most such tumors show increased hepatic arterial or decreased portal venous perfusion. The present results suggest the limitation of reticuloendothelial contrast imaging, particularly in the diagnosis of small, well-differentiated HCC.     

Preoperative detection of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of combined contrast-enhanced MR imaging and combined CT during arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography

The aim of this study was to compare Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MR images, combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images, vs combined CT arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA), in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Twenty-four patients with 38 nodular HCCs (5–60 mm, mean 23.0 mm) were retrospectively analyzed. Image reviews were conducted on a liver segment-by-segment basis. A total of 192 segments, including 36 segments with 38 HCC, were reviewed independently by three radiologists. Each radiologist read four sets of images (set 1, unenhanced and Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images; set 2, unenhanced and SPIO-enhanced MR images; set 3, combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images; set 4, combined CTAP and CTHA). To minimize any possible learning bias, the reviewing order was randomized and the reviewing procedure was performed in four sessions at 2-week intervals. The diagnostic accuracy (A_z values) for HCCs of combined CTAP and CTHA, combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images, Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images, and SPIO-enhanced MR images for all observers were 0.934, 0.963, 0.878, and 0.869, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of combined CTAP and CTHA and combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images was significantly higher than Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images or SPIO-enhanced MR images (p<0.005). The mean specificity of combined CTAP and CTHA (93%) and combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images (95%) was significantly higher than Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images (87%) or SPIO-enhanced MR images (88%; p<0.05). Combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images may obviate the need for more invasive combined CTAP and CTHA for the preoperative evaluation of patients with HCC.     

Change in Imaging Findings on Angiography-Assisted CT During Balloon-Occluded Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose

To evaluate changes in imaging findings on CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA) and CT during arterial portography (CTAP) by balloon occlusion of the treated artery and their relationship with iodized oil accumulation in the tumor during balloon-occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (B-TACE).

Methods

Both B-TACE and angiography-assisted CT were performed for 27 hepatocellular carcinomas. Tumor enhancement on selective CTHA with/without balloon occlusion and iodized oil accumulation after B-TACE were evaluated. Tumorous portal perfusion defect size on CTAP was compared with/without balloon occlusion. Factors influencing discrepancies between selective CTHA with/without balloon occlusion and the degree of iodized oil accumulation were investigated.

Results

Among 27 tumors, tumor enhancement on selective CTHA changed after balloon occlusion in 14 (decreased, 11; increased, 3). In 18 tumors, there was a discrepancy between tumor enhancement on selective CTHA with balloon occlusion and the degree of accumulated iodized oil, which was higher than the tumor enhancement grade in all 18. The tumorous portal perfusion defect on CTAP significantly decreased after balloon occlusion in 18 of 20 tumors (mean decrease from 21.9 to 19.1 mm in diameter; p = 0.0001). No significant factors influenced discrepancies between selective CTHA with/without balloon occlusion. Central area tumor location, poor tumor enhancement on selective CTHA with balloon occlusion, and no decrease in the tumorous portal perfusion defect area on CTAP after balloon occlusion significantly influenced poor iodized oil accumulation in the tumor.

Conclusions

Tumor enhancement on selective CTHA frequently changed after balloon occlusion, which did not correspond to accumulated iodized oil in most cases.

     

CT during hepatic arteriography and portography: an illustrative review.

The combination of computed tomography (CT) during arterial portography (CTAP) and CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA) has been used for evaluation of hepatic neoplasms before partial hepatic resection. Focal hepatic lesions that can be demonstrated with CTAP and CTHA include regenerative nodules, dysplastic nodules, dysplastic nodules with malignant foci, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, hemangioma, and metastases. CTAP is considered the most sensitive modality for detection of small hepatic lesions, particularly small hepatic tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic tumors. CTHA can demonstrate not only hypervascular tumors but also hypovascular tumors and can help differentiate malignant from benign lesions. However, various types of nontumorous hemodynamic changes are frequently encountered at CTAP or CTHA and appear as focal lesions that mimic true hepatic lesions. Such hemodynamic changes include several types of arterioportal shunts, liver cirrhosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, inflammatory changes, pseudolesions due to an aberrant blood supply, and laminar flow in the portal vein. Familiarity with the CTAP and CTHA appearances of various hepatic lesions and nontumorous hemodynamic changes allows the radiologist to improve the diagnostic accuracy.     

Correlation of a defect of portal perfusion in the dorsal part of segment IV of the liver on CT arterial portography with inflow of the aberrant pancreaticoduodenal vein

The correlation between an aberrant pancreaticoduodenal vein and a portal perfusion defect in the dorsal part of segment IV as demonstrated on CT arterial portography (CTAP) was investigated. 14 patients with non-tumorous defects of portal perfusion in the dorsal part of segment IV of the liver parenchyma, shown on CTAP underwent CT during pancreaticoduodenal arteriography. The defect on CTAP was shown as an enhanced area resulting from non-portal venous inflow in eight (57%) of 14 patients on CT during pancreaticoduodenal arteriography. In conclusion, the non-portal venous supply via an aberrant pancreaticoduodenal vein occasionally causes a defect of portal perfusion in the dorsal part of segment IV on CT arterial portography.     

CTHA和CTAP在肝癌介入治疗中的应用

目的:研究肝动脉造影CT和经动脉门脉造影CT在肝癌介入治疗中的应用价值和意义。方法:10例原发性肝癌介入治疗前行肝动脉造影CT(CTHA)和经动脉门脉造影CT(CTAP)检查;术中行数字减影肝动脉造影(DSA)。结果:CTHA、CTAP联合检查与常规CT、DSA比较,分别多发现新癌灶11个(26/37)和12个(25/37)。准确判断非复发癌灶2个和1个坏死灶。结论:CTHA、CTAP是肝癌介入治疗前准确判断肿瘤数量和存活度最敏感和准确的方法,对于介入治疗方案的实施、疗效评价有很重要的作用。     

肝硬化基础上肝癌肝血流变化功能CT灌注成像研究

目的对正常肝实质、肝硬化和肝硬化基础上肝癌患者的64层螺旋CT灌注成像进行分析,评价多层螺旋CT灌注成像对肝硬化基础上肝癌肝血流变化的诊断价值。资料与方法无肝脏疾病的30例作为对照组。实验组包括49例肝硬化疾病患者,其中27例确诊为原发性肝癌(HCC)。所有研究对象知情同意后,选择癌灶中心层面或肝门层面行CT灌注扫描,采用低剂量扫描:120 kV,60 mA,扫描范围为40 mm。以4～5 ml/s流率,按照1.0ml/kg体重用量静脉团注对比剂。在注入对比剂5 s后行50 s连续的扫描,360°旋转/s,5 mm层厚进行图像重组,矩阵大小512×512像素。利用去卷积数学模型获得与肝血流变化相关的灌注参数值:肝血流量(HBF),肝血容量(HBV),肝动脉灌注分数(HAF),肝动脉灌注量(HAP),门静脉灌注量(HPP)。对不同的感兴趣区进行三次灌注参数测量后取平均值进行灌注结果分析。感兴趣区包括:对照组的正常肝实质、癌灶边缘区、癌灶周围的肝实质和无癌灶的肝硬化肝实质。结果与对照组灌注参数比较,癌周围肝实质的HBF、HAP、HPP、HBV及癌灶边缘区的HBF、HAP、HPP有统计学差异(P<0.05)。与对照组相对应灌注参数比较,癌周的HAP、HPP及对照组的HBF、HAP、HPP有统计学差异(P<0.05)。与癌边缘区HAF对比,癌灶周围肝实质、对照组和无癌灶的肝硬化组均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。对照组和无癌灶的肝硬化组间灌注参数无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论 CT灌注成像能很好地反映肝硬化基础上肝癌的肝血流变化信息,为肝血流动力学变化的影像研究提供新的方法。     

Dysplastic nodules in liver cirrhosis: evaluation of hemodynamics with CT during arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the portal and arterial blood supplies to dysplastic nodules in the cirrhotic liver with computed tomography (CT) during arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen histopathologically proved low-grade dysplastic nodules and 13 high-grade dysplastic nodules in 17 patients with liver cirrhosis were evaluated with CTAP and CTHA for the presence of portal and arterial blood supplies to the nodules. The nodules ranged from 0.4 to 4.5 cm in diameter (mean, 1.6 cm). RESULTS: The portal supply was present in 14 of the 19 (74%) low-grade dysplastic nodules and in seven of the 13 (54%) high-grade dysplastic nodules. The hepatic arterial supply was increased in four of the 19 (21%) low-grade dysplastic nodules, present in nine (47%), and absent in six (32%). The arterial supply was increased in four of the 13 (31%) high-grade dysplastic nodules, present in four (31%), and absent in five (38%). CONCLUSION: The portal and arterial supplies to the low- and high-grade dysplastic nodules were variable and inconsistent. Therefore, it is difficult to detect and characterize the dysplastic nodules on the radiologic images on the basis of the blood supply.     

Efficacy of dynamic MRI with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SH U 555 A): vascularity evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: A study was conducted to determine the possibility of evaluating the blood flow in cases of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by employing dynamic MRI with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SH U 555 A), which can be rapidly injected via an intravenous route. METHODS: Six patients with hypervascular HCC (23 nodules) served as the subjects. Dynamic MRI includes images obtained at precontrast and at 10 (perfusion phase), 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 600 s after the start of injection of SH U 555 A. CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA) and CT during arterial portography (CTAP) were used as the standards of reference, and these were performed in all patients three days after dynamic MRI. The signal changes were evaluated at each phase, especially at the perfusion phase from the viewpoints of a lesion-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and visual examination. RESULTS: A total of 23 hypervascular HCC were detected on CTHA and CTAP. Of the 23 lesions, 17 were detected on SH U 555 A enhanced MRI. Incorrect timing during acquisition of the perfusion phase was considered in two cases with three lesions. Of 14 lesions, excluding two cases with incorrect timing, a reduction in the transient signal in the lesions at the perfusion phase was visually recognized in 10 lesions (71%). Significant differences were seen in tumor size between visible and non-visible tumors involving transient signal reduction (p< 0.05). CNR gradually increased after rapidly decreasing in the perfusion phase. CONCLUSION: SH U 555 A enhanced MRI is valuable in limited cases. Evaluation of tumor blood flow employing dynamic MRI with SH U 555 A is affected by tumor size and requires optimal timing of the perfusion phase.