Multi-phase helical CT in diagnosis of early hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the characteristics of early hepatocellular carcinoma by using multi-phase helical CT and assess the value of this method. METHODS: Multi-phase helical CT findings were reviewed double-blindly by radiologists. RESULTS: Altogether 24 lesions were found in 21 patients. In plain CT, the lesions were seen as hypodense or isodense areas. After contrast enhancement, 87.5% of the lesions showed regular or irregular hyperdense enhancement, whereas 12.5% demonstrated tumor vessels in arterial phase, which became hypodensed or isodensed nodules in portal phase or the hypodensed in delayed phase. The prevalence of density changes showed a hypo-hyper-hypo and hypo-hypo pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-phase helical CT could reflect the blood supply of early hepatocelluar carcinoma, and is also convenient for the differential diagnosis of hepatic cavernous angioma, metastatic tumor, hepatic nodulous hyperplasia, and hepatic inflammatory granuloma.