Arterial phase of biphase enhancement spiral CT in diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the value of the arterial Phase (AP) of biphase enhanced spiral CT (SCT) in the diagnosis of small HCC and to investigate the criteria, initial time, ending time and duration of AP.


METHODS
From May 1995 to March 1999, patients with small HCC proved surgically and pathologically including 49 patients (n=53) in group A, 148 (n=186) in group B and 52 (n=52) in group C were collected. Biphase dynamic enhanced SCT scans were performed in all patients of the three groups and additional single-level dynamic scans only done in the group C. The detectability, diagnostic accuracy of lesions and enhancement of the lesions in AP were analyzed statistically. In addition, the initial time, ending time and duration of AP were measured.


RESULTS
The results of the group A showed the detectability of small HCC was 88.68% in AP and 90.57% in both Phases, higher than those by ultrasound. Markedly enhanced lesions in AP accounted for 76% and 78% in the groups B and C respectively. The initial time, ending time and duration of AP measured on single-level dynamic scans were 16.9 s, 39.6 s and 22.7 s on average respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The biphase dynamic SCT especially its arterial phase appears to be very valuable in diagnosing small HCCs. In light of short duration of AP, understanding and strict control of AP is obviously imperative.
Zhou
Kang-Rong
KR
Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. zhoukr@shmu.edu.cn
Yan
Fu-Hua
FH
Tu
Bei-Wu
BW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*