Nonpathological focal enhancements on spiral CT hepatic angiography.
BACKGROUND
To assess the frequency and characteristics of nonpathological focal enhancements seen on spiral computed tomographic (CT) hepatic angiography (CTA).


METHODS
Spiral CTA and spiral CT arterial portography (CTAP) were performed in 31 patients with suspected liver malignancy prior to potential liver resection. The CTA images were retrospectively reviewed for focal enhancements by two radiologists. After determining nonpathological focal enhancements on CTA images based on the other radiographic tests, surgical exploration including intraoperative sonography, follow-up imagings, the frequency, size, site, and shape of nonpathological focal enhancements with CTA were assessed.


RESULTS
Thirty-six nonpathological focal enhancements with CTA from 4 to 23 (mean = 11. 4) mm were seen in 14 (45.2%) of 31 patients. Thirteen (36.1%) of 36 nonpathological focal enhancements with CTA were not depicted with CTAP. Nonpathological focal enhancements with CTA were frequent in Couinaud segments III (27.8%), V (22.2%), and VI (19.4%). Twenty-three (63.9%) of 36 nonpathological focal enhancements were located in the edge of the liver. Shapes of 36 nonpathological focal enhancements with CTA included circular (n = 16), worm (n = 7), irregular (n = 6), dot (n = 6), and wedge (n = 1).


CONCLUSIONS
In nearly half of patients, spiral CTA shows various shapes of small nonpathological focal enhancements more frequently in the liver edge.
Kanematsu
M
M
Department of Radiology, Gifu University School of Medicine, 40 Tsukasamachi, Gifu 500, Japan.
Hoshi
H
H
Imaeda
T
T
Yamawaki
Y
Y
Mizuno
S
S
Manabe
T
T
Enya
M
M
Yokoyama
R
R
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media