Multi-detector row helical CT angiography of hepatic vessels: depiction with dual-arterial phase acquisition during single breath hold.
OBJECTIVE
To determine by using multi-detector row computed tomography (CT), in a triphasic hepatic dynamic study, which included single breath-hold dual-arterial phase acquisition, the accuracy and frequency of visualization of the small hepatic arterial and portal venous anatomy with angiographic correlation.


METHODS
In 62 patients, pre- and postcontrast triphasic helical CT were performed by using a multi-detector row CT scanner, with 2.5-mm detector row collimation, at a pitch of 6. The first and second arterial phases were performed during a single breath hold. One reader, blinded to the results of the angiography, reviewed the first arterial phase images on a cine display to assess hepatic arterial anatomy. Visualization of the portal vein and its branches was assessed by using second arterial and portal venous phase images.


RESULTS
Major arterial trunks (celiac, hepatic, superior mesenteric, and left gastric) were depicted in all cases. Visualization of small arteries was as follows: right and left hepatic, 62 (100%) of 62; middle hepatic, 52 (87%) of 60; cystic, 47 (90%) of 52; right gastric, 50 (89%) of 56; and right and left inferior phrenic, 57 (92%) and 55 (89%) of 62, respectively. Subsegmental or more peripheral branches of the portal vein were depicted in 83% of cases during the second arterial phase and in 96% during the portal phase. There was no difference in degree of visualization in these two phases.


CONCLUSIONS
Multi-detector row CT angiography was able to depict the hepatic vascular anatomy.
Takahashi
Satoru
S
Department of Radiology, Central Hospital, Osaka University Medical School, 3-3-30 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530 0001, Japan. takahasi@radiol.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Murakami
Takamichi
T
Takamura
Manabu
M
Kim
Tonsok
T
Hori
Masatoshi
M
Narumi
Yoshifumi
Y
Nakamura
Hironobu
H
Kudo
Masayuki
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*