[The value of spiral CT in CT arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of spiral CT in CT arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA).


METHODS
The CTAP and CTHA manifestations in 50 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (< 3 cm in diameter) were analyzed and compared with those in bi-phase enhanced CT.


RESULTS
The detection rate of CTAP and CTHA was 92.2% and 90.1%, respectively. They could reveal tumors of 0.2 cm-0.5 cm in diameter. Both CTAP and CTHA gave false-positive findings, such as perfusion defects in 13.0% of CTAP and non-pathologic enhancement in 19.1% of CTHA.


CONCLUSIONS
With the use of spiral CT technique, the quantity of contrast material administrated in CTAP and CTHA can be considerably reduced, and the quality of CT images significantly improved. The detection rate of CTAP and CTHA is higher than that of biphase enhanced CT. Simultaneous use of both procedures may help decrease the false-positive rate, and increase the sensitivity of diagnosis for small hepatocellular carcinoma.
Wu
P
P
Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060.
Li
L
L
Zhang
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011172:Portography; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed