Split-Bolus Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography Technique for Characterization of Focal Liver Lesions in Oncologic Patients.
BACKGROUND
In oncologic patients, the liver is the most common target for metastases. An accurate detection and characterization of focal liver lesions in patients with known primary extrahepatic malignancy are essential to define management and prognosis.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the split-bolus multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) protocol in the characterization of focal liver lesions in oncologic patients.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the follow-up split-bolus 64-detector row CT protocol in 36 oncologic patients to characterize focal liver lesions. The split-bolus MDCT protocol by intravenous injection of two boluses of contrast medium combines the hepatic arterial phase (HAP) and hepatic enhancement during the portal venous phase (PVP) in a single-pass.


RESULTS
The split-bolus MDCT protocol detected 208 lesions and characterized 186 (89.4%) of them: typical hemangiomas (n = 9), atypical hemangiomas (n = 3), cysts (n = 78), hypovascular (n = 93) and hypervascular (n = 3) metastases. Twenty two (10.6%) hypodense lesions were categorized as indeterminate (≤5 mm). The mean radiation dose was 24.5±6.5 millisieverts (mSv).


CONCLUSIONS
The designed split-bolus MDCT technique can be proposed alternatively to triphasic MDCT and in a single-pass to PVP in the initial staging and in the follow-up respectively in oncologic patients.
Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Radiology 2, Perugia University, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
Michele
M
Scialpi
Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Radiology 2, Perugia University, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
Luisa
L
Pierotti
Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Radiology 2, Perugia University, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
Sabrina
S
Gravante
Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Radiology 2, Perugia University, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
Alberto
A
Rebonato
Department of Radiology, Budrio Hospital, Azienda USL Bologna, Budrio, Italy.
Irene
I
Piscioli
Division of Radiology, San Giuseppe Moscati Hospital, Aversa, Italy.
Alfredo
A
D'Andrea
Division of Radiology, Meyer Pediatric Hospital, Florence, Italy.
Raffaele
R
Schiavone
Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Perugia University, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
Barbara
B
Palumbo
Helical Computed Tomography; Liver; Multidetector-Row CT; Neoplasm; Oncology; Split-Bolus Technique; Triphasic Technique
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