J Korean Radiol Soc.  1996 Jul;35(1):93-99.

Spiral CT of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Value of Dynamic Fast Infusion of Contrast Material

• Youn WG
• Cho JS
• Jeong YS
• Choi CL
• Ahn YJ
• Kim YW

Abstract

PURPOSE
To assess the value of dynamic fast infusion of contrast material in the detection and diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with spiral CT.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two-phase dynamic spiral CT was performed in 59 patients with 104 HCCs. 150ml of nonionic contrast material was injected with an automatic injector at the rateof 5 ml/sec. Two-phase images were obtained at 20-45 sec(arterial dominant phase) and 2-5 min(equilibrium phase)after the initiation of bolus injection of contrast material. The tumors were divided into three groups(<3cm,3-5cm, and >5cm) according to the size and the enhancement patterns on two-phase images were compared.
RESULTS
Inthe arterial phase, HCCs showed total or partial hyperattenuation in 79% of cases(82/104), isoattenuation in 12%,and hypoattenuation in 9%. In the equilibrium phase, HCCs showed hypoattenuation in 86%(89/104) and isoattenuationin 14%. The most common and characteristic enhancement patterns of HCCs were hyperattenuation in the arterialphase and hypoattenuataion in the equilibrium phase ; in the latter, capsules were demonstrated in 45% of cases. Invasions of the portal and/or hepatic vein were demonstrated in 34% of cases.
CONCLUSION
Dynamic fastinfusion(5ml/sec) of contrast material(150ml) is useful in the detection and diagnosis of HCCs with spiral CT.

Keyword

Computed tomography(CT), helical technology; Computed tomography(CT), contrast media; Liver neoplasms, CT

MeSH Terms

Capsules
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Diagnosis
Hepatic Veins
Humans
Tomography, Spiral Computed*
Capsules