【Abstract】Objective To investigate the imaging features of malignant invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures (the portal and hepatic venous vasculature, the bilie duct) by primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using multidetector-row spiral CT (MDCT). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 68 documented HCC patients with tumorous invasion of the major intrahepatic ductal structures who had undergone contrast-enhanced dual-phase MDCT scanning of the upper abdomen.The morphological changes of the portal and hepatic venous vasculature, the bile duct, and the liver parenchyma at both the hepatic arterial phase and portal venous phase images were carefully observed and recorded. Results Among the 68 patients, 47 patients had malignant invasion of the intrahepatic portal venous vessels with secondary tumor thrombus formation; 12 patients had tumor involvement of the hepatic veins and intraheptic segment of the inferior vena cava; Tumor invasion of the bile duct was seen in 9 patents. The direct CT signs of tumor invasion of intrahepatic venous vessels included: ①dilatation or enlargement of the involved vein with intraluminal softtissue “filling defect”； ②enhancement of the tumor thrombus at hepatic arterial phase, the so-called “venous arterialization” phenomenon. The indirect CT signs included: ①arterial-venous shunt, ②early and heterogeneous enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma adjacent to HCC focus, ③cavernous transformation of the portal vein. The CT signs suggesting tumor invasion of the bile duct included: ①dilation of the bile ducts near or proximal to HCC lesion, ②soft-tissue nodule or mass inside the bile ducts. Conclusion Invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures by HCC will present corresponding CT imaging features. Contrast-enhanced MDCT dualphase scanning combined with appropriate image postprocessing techniques can better evaluate the malignant invasion of major intrahepatic ductal structures.
Objective To investigate the imaging features of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) on 64 slice spiral computed tomography (64SCT) and the diagnostic value of 64SCT for BCS. Methods Twenty-nine patients diagnosed as BCS by 64SCT were retrospectively included into this study and all the patients were researched by digital substraction angiography (DSA). Two abdominal radiologists analyzed the CT imaging features of BCS, paying attention to the vascular lesion, the morphology abnormality of the liver and the degree of portal hypertension, with review of DSA findings. Results ①The accuracy of 64SCT for BCS was 93.1% (27/29), and there were 2 false positive cases and no false negative case. The accuracy of 64SCT for those patients with thrombosis of inferior vena cava (IVC) and (or) hepatic vein (HV) was high as compared to those with stenosis of IVC and (or) HV. ②The morphology abnormality of the liver included hepatomegaly (24 cases), low attenuation (27 cases) and inhomogeneous pattern of parenchymal contrast enhancement (5 patients in arterial phase and 19 patients in portal vein phase). ③The images of all the patients showed the features of portal hypertension. Conclusion The accuracy of 64SCT for BCS is satisfactory and the false negative is seldom. The 64SCT could accurately display the morphology abnormality of the liver and the compensatory circulation in BCS patients. For those patients with stenosis of IVC and (or) HV, however, the diagnostic power of 64SCT is limited.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the appropriate reconstruction techniques of multidetectorrow spiral CT angiography (MDCTA) to depict the collateral vessels in cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV) caused by tumor thrombosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods MDCTA scanning was performed during the portal venous phase after intravenous contrast materials in 18 HCC patients with CTPV induced by tumor thrombosis. Raw data were reconstructed with thin slice thickness followed by 2D and 3D angiographic reconstruction methods, including maximum intensity projection(MIP), shade surface display （SSD） and volume rendering technique(VRT). Results MDCTA with MIP reconstruction accurately depicted both the tumor thrombus within the portal vein and the collateral vessels of CTPV including the biliary (cystic vein and pericholedochal veinous plexus) and the gastric (left and right gastric veins) branches. However, VRT and SSD methods did poorly in showing the tumor thrombus and the collateral vessels. Conclusion MDCTA with MIP reconstruction is the method of choice to evaluate the collateral vessels of CTPV.
ObjectiveTo investigate the radiological appearances of postoperative complications after living donor liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma under multi-detector row spiral computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. MethodsThirty-nine imaging data in 20 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after living donor liver transplantation from January 2008 to June 2010 in the West China Hospital were included and analyzed by two radiologists respectively. The relations between the types of complications and radiological appearances were especially recorded. ResultsAll the cases experienced complications to different extent. Common surgical complications occured in 20 cases, including pertitoneal fluid collection (14 cases), pneumoperitoneum (2 cases), swelling of peritoneum, omentum, and mesentery (1 case), abdominal wall swelling (2 cases), pleural effusion (9 cases), and pericardial fluid collection (2 cases). Hepatic vascular complications involved hepatic artery in 3 cases, portal vein in 5 cases. Biliary complications presented in 7 cases, including anastomotic stenosis of biliary duct (6 cases) and bile leak (1 case). Graft parenchymal complications included intrahepatic lymph retention (11 cases), infarction (3 cases), and infection (2 cases). Intrahepatic recurrence in 5 cases, intraperitoneal metastasis in 3 csses and pulmonary metastasis in 2 cases. ConclusionMDCT and MRI have important diagnostic values for postoperative complications after living donor liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Objective To investigate the imaging features of idiopathic hepatic arteriovenous malformation（IHAVM） on multi-detector row spiral CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Nineteen patients with IHAVM between January 2009 and June 2010 were included for retrospective analysis of the imaging findings on MDCT (n=9) and MRI (n=10), especially the imaging features of IHAVM on contrast-enhanced dynamic scans. Results All IHAVM lesions in 9 patients were isodense in plain scan of MDCT, and showed marked small nodular or linear enhancement with similar intensity to vascular enhancement in arterial phase, and the enhancement continued to persist to portal phase but with reduced enhancement degree. Early visualization of venous tributaries in arterial phase was present in 4 cases, and wedge-shaped or lamellar transient hepatic parenchyma enhancement in arterial phase in the edge of the lesion was observed in 6 cases. In 10 patients with MRI scan, the enhancement patterns of IHAVM were quite similar to the findings on MDCT, with early visualization of venous tributaries in arterial phase in 5 cases and wedge-shaped transient hepatic parenchyma enhancement in arterial phase in the edge of the IHAVM lesion in 7 cases. Conclusion Contrast-enhanced multi-phase MDCT and MRI scans can depict the morphologic and hemodynamic characteristics of IHAVM, thus they are very valuable for the diagnosis of IHAVM.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the CT manifestations of chronic virus hepatitis B. Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the clinical data and laboratory information of 120 patients with chronic virus hepatitis B were reviewed retrospectively. All patients underwent standardized contrast-enhanced spiral CT dual-phase scanning of the upper abdomen. The changes of the liver, bile duct, spleen, portal venous system, lymph node of the upper abdomen, peritoneal cavity and pleural cavity were observed and noted. Results CT manifestations of chronic virus hepatitis B were as follows: ①changes of the configuration and shape of the liver, ② changes of the density of the liver, ③intrahepatic perivascular lucency, ④thickening of gallbladder wall and edema of the gallbladder fossa, ⑤splenomegaly, ⑥enlargement of abdominal lymph nodes, ⑦ascites, ⑧abnormalities related to portal hypertension (collateral circulation), and ⑨secondary thoracic changes (pleural and pericardial effusion). Conclusion Chronic virus hepatitis B can demonstrate several abnormal findings involving the liver, gallbladder, lymph nodes, spleen, etc on contrast-enhanced CT scanning.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the features of gallbladder carcinoma in two-phase spiral CT, and to analysis the values of two-phase spiral CT for the differential diagnosis between gallbladder carcinoma and chronic cholecystitis. Methods The two-phase spiral CT manifestations of 30 cases of gallbladder carcinoma, proved by surgery and pathology, and 30 cases of chronic cholecystitis were analyzed. Results According to the CT findings, the gallbladder carcinoma was categorized into 3 types: intraluminal mass of gallbladder in 6 out of 30 (20.0%）， thickening of the gallbladder wall in 11 (33.7%), and mass replacing the normal gallbladder in 13(43.4%). The most common enhancement patterns of the wall in gallbladder carcinoma were hyperattenuation during the arterial phase, while isoattenuation with the adjacent hepatic parenchyma during the venous phase; or hyperattenuation during both phases. The most common enhancement pattern of the wall in chronic cholecystitis was isoattenuation during both phases, with clear hypoattenuation linear shadow in the gallbladder fossa. Other ancillary features of gallbladder carcinomas included: infiltration of the adjacent parenchyma, local lymphadenopathy and intrahepatic metastasis. Conclusion Two-phase spiral CT scan can identify the features of the gallbladder carcinoma and is helpful for the differential diagnosis of these two different disease entities.
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of rectumaerated MSCT examination in diagnosis of mesorectal infiltration of rectal cancer and lymph node metastasis staging. MethodsFrom January 2010 to July 2010, the data of 68 patients with rectal cancer confirmed by pathology were analyzed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University. All the patients underwent rectumaerated MSCT preoperatively and postoperative pathology was taken as the gold standard for evaluation of the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive or negative predictive values of MSCT in diagnosis of mesorectal infiltration and lymph node metastasis.ResultsIn rectum-aerated MSCT scanning, rectum and sigmoid colon was fully expanded, perirectal fat space was clear between perirectal fat space and relatively high density rectal wall and very low density enteric cavity. For mesorectal infiltration of degree Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ, the accuracies were 92.6%（63/68）, 91.1%(62/68), and 95.6%(65/68), respectively; sensitivities were 91.2%(31/34), 85.0%(17/20), and 92.9%(13/14), respectively; specificities were 94.1%(32/34), 93.8%(45/48), and 96.3%(52/54), respectively; positive predictive values were 93.9%(31/33), 85.0%(17/20), and 86.7%(13/15), respectively; negative predictive values were 91.4%(32/35), 93.8%(45/48), and 98.1%(52/53), respectively. For lymph node metastasis in N0, N1, and N2, the accuracies were 92.6%(63/68）,85.3%(58/68）, and 92.6%(63/68）, respectively; sensitivities were 86.2%(25/29), 90.0%(27/30), and 66.7%(6/9), respectively; specificities were 97.4%(38/39), 81.6%(31/38), and 96.6%(57/59), respectively; positive predictive values were 96.2%(25/26), 79.4%(27/34), and 75.0%(6/8), respectively; negative predictive values were 90.5%(38/42), 92.1%(35/38), and 95.0%(57/60), respectively. ConclusionsRectumaerated MSCT scaning can clearly show the depth of rectal carcinoma infiltration in the mesorectum, and N staging of mesorectal lymph node metastasis of MSCT has a higher consistency with that of pathological staging. Rectumaerated MSCT scanning is an important referenced method for clinical preoperative staging and individualized chemotherapy regimen.
【Abstract】Objective To study the CT features of peritoneal Metastasis in postoperative patients of ovarian carcinomas. Methods CT appearance of peritoneal metastasis of ovarian carcinomas proved by surgery and pathology in 33 postoperative patients were reviewed. The CT features of the foci were recorded and analyzed, especially on the location, quantity, density and size.Results In the peritoneal cavity, 186 implant foci and 10 recurrent foci were found. metastasis often occurred in the right upper abdomen, especially the right subphrenic spaces. The most frequent locations were the right suprahepatic and subhepatic spaces, the small bowel mesentery, the gastrocolic ligament and the omentum. The density of the foci was most of solid. The size was ranged from 0.5~13 cm. Conclusion Peritoneal metastasis is the most frequent route of metastases for ovarian carcinomas. It is frequently found in upper abdomen, especially in the subphrenic spaces. Localized ascites in the peritoneal cavity is another important sign suggesting peritoneal implants. CT scan from the diaphragm to the pelvic floor will be helpful to diagnose peritoneal implants in cases of postoperative ovarian carcinomas.
Objective To investigate the imaging features of intestinal volvulus on multi-detector row spiral CT (MDCT). MethodsThirty-one patients with surgically confirmed intestinal volvulus were included in this study. Nine patients received MDCT plain scan, 22 received contrast enhanced MDCT scan and 5 of them had additional CT angiography. Two abdominal radiologists analyzed the MDCT imaging features of intestinal volvulus observed, such as the location, direction of rotation, degree of volvulus, appearance rate of the “whirl sign” and the “beak sign”, bowel wall thickening and ascites and the possible causes of volvulus, which were recorded with review of surgical findings. Results The location of volvulus included duodenum (1 case), jejunum (23 cases), ileum (3 cases), entire small intestine (2 cases) and sigmoid colon (2 cases). The location of volvulus was correctly diagnosed based on MDCT findings in 27 patients (27/31; 87.0%). The direction of volvulus was correctly diagnosed for all patients based on MDCT findings (clockwise in 11 cases and counterclockwise in 20 cases). The degrees of volvulus assessed on MDCT findings were respectively 180° in 13 cases, 360° in 12 cases, 540° in 2 cases, 720° in 2 cases and 900° in 2 cases, as compared with surgical findings of 180° in 17 cases, 360° in 10 cases, 540° in 1 case, and 720° in 3 cases. The diagnostic accuracy of MDCT for assessing the degree of volvulus was 74.2%. The “whirl sign” and “beak sign” appeared in 18 and 20 patients, respectively. Bowel wall thickening and ascites were showed in 9 patients. In 5 patients with reconstructed images, the images obtained by maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR) techniques showed the abnormality of mesenteric vessels in all patients, and the multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) image of one patient showed the “whirl sign” and the “beak sign”. The causes of intestinal volvulus were identified on MDCT in 10 patients. Conclusion The “whirl sign” and the “beak sign” are the characteristic images of intestinal volvulus on MDCT. Bowel wall thickening and ascites may indicate the hemody-namic images impairment of volvulus. MDCT plays valuable role in the diagnosis of intestinal volvulus.