Multiphasic Scans Research Articles

Imaging of the liver with helical CT: a survey of scanning techniques.

We conducted a survey of the members of the Society of Computed Body Tomography/Magnetic Resonance to assess current techniques in liver imaging using helical CT. The survey, which was designed to update earlier surveys from 1987 and 1993, included a questionnaire distributed to 77 members of the Society of Computed Body Tomography/Magnetic Resonance. Forty-nine members responded, representing 28 institutions. In 1993, 19% (5/26) of institutions used helical scanners, compared with 82% (23/28) in 1996. The group of institutions with helical CT served as the focus of this survey. In 1993, 58% of institutions used 1-cm collimation: in 1996, 78% (18/23) used thinner, 7- to 8-mm collimation. In 1987, 41% used power injectors compared with 85% in 1993 and 100% in 1996. In 1996, monophasic injections were used by 96% (22/23) of institutions. In 1993, most institutions used a contrast material injection rate of 1.5-2.0 ml/sec; in 1996, most used a 2.5-3.0 ml/sec injection rate. In 1993, 96% of institutions used 125-150 ml of contrast material; in 1996, 57% (13/23) of institutions used 125-150 ml and 30% of institutions used less than 125 ml of contrast material. A delay time of 21-45 see was used by 83% of institutions in 1993, whereas in 1996, 83% (19/23) of institutions used a longer delay time of 50-80 sec. In 1996, 13% of institutions used an individual scan delay technology and all institutions performed multiphasic scanning of hypervascular lesions. The availability of helical CT has changed radiologists' approach to liver imaging. The greatest effects of which are a more widespread use of power injectors, longer delay times, thinner collimation, increased contrast material injection rates, decreased contrast material volumes, and multiphasic scanning.

Role and pitfalls of hepatic helical multi-phase CT scanning in differential diagnosis of small hemangioma and small hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM:To compare and analyze the contrast enhancement appearance of small hemangioma (SHHE) and small hepatocellular carcinoma (SHCC) with helical multi-phase CT scanning so as to determine their roles and pitfalls in the differential diagnosis of SHHE and SHCC.METHODS:The pre and postcontrast CT scanning of the liver in 73 cases (38 SHHE, 35 SHCC) were carried out. The first phase scan of the entire liver began at 30s after the injection of contrast medium, the second and third phases began at 70s, and 4min respectively. The contrast enhancement patterns and characteristics of all lesions were observed and compared.RESULTS In SHHE, 64.29% (27/42) had typical manifestations in two-phase dynamic scanning, such as peripheral dramatic high-density enhancement of the lesions with progressive opacification from the periphery toward the center, 30.95% (13/42) were hyperdense in both phases and 4.76% (2/42) were hypodense in both phases. In the third phase scanning, 96.67% (28/30) of SHHE were hyperdense and isodense.In SHCC 59.52% (25/42) presented typical appearances, such as hyperdense in the first phase and hypodense in the second phase, 23.81% (10/42) were hyperdense in the first phase and isodense in the second phase with 4.76% (2/42) of hypodense in both phases. In the third phase scanning, 85.71% (24/28) of SHCC were hypodense.CONCLUSION:According to the contrast enhancement patterns of SHHE and SHCC in the two-phase or multi-phase scanning by helical CT, diagnosis can be established in the majority of lesions, while some atypical cases needed MRI for further investigation.