Possibilities of differentiation of solitary focal liver lesions by computed tomography perfusion.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate possibilities of computed tomography (CT) perfusion in differentiation of solitary focal liver lesions based on their characteristic vascularization through perfusion parameters analysis.


METHODS
Prospective study was conducted on 50 patients in the period 2009-2012. Patients were divided in two groups: benign and malignant lesions. The following CT perfusion parameters were analyzed: blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), capillary permeability surface area product (PS), hepatic arterial fraction (HAF), and impulse residual function (IRF). During the study another perfusion parameter was analyzed: hepatic perfusion index (HPI). All patients were examined on Multidetector 64-slice CT machine (GE) with application of perfusion protocol for liver with i.v. administration of contrast agent.


RESULTS
In both groups an increase of vascularization and arterial blood flow was noticed, but there was no significant statistical difference between any of 6 analyzed parameters. Hepatic perfusion index values were increased in all lesions in comparison with normal liver parenchyma.


CONCLUSIONS
Computed tomography perfusion in our study did not allow differentiation of benign and malignant liver lesions based on analysis of functional perfusion parameters. Hepatic perfusion index should be investigated in further studies as a parameter for detection of possible presence of micro-metastases in visually homogeneous liver in cases with no lesions found during standard CT protocol.
Radiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University; Sarajevo; Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Irmina
I
Sefić Pašić
Oncology Clinic; Clinical Center of Sarajevo University; Sarajevo; Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Anes
A
Pašić
Radiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University; Sarajevo; Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Spomenka
S
Kristić
Radiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University; Sarajevo; Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Adnan
A
Beganović
Radiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University; Sarajevo; Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Aladin
A
Čarovac
Radiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University; Sarajevo; Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Amra
A
Džananović
Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Lidija
L
Lincender
Radiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University; Sarajevo; Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sandra
S
Vegar Zubović
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
CT protocol; contrast media; hepatic perfusion index