NONPATHOLOGICAL FOCAL ENHANCEMENTS ON SPIRAL CT HEPATIC ANGIOGRAPHY

Background: To assess the frequency and characteristics of nonpatholog ical focal enhancements seen on spiral computed tomographic (CT) hepat ic angiography (CTA). Methods: Spiral CTA and spiral CT arterial porto graphy (CTAP) were performed in 31 patients with suspected liver malig nancy prior to potential liver resection. The CTA images were retrospe ctively reviewed for focal enhancements by two radiologists. After det ermining nonpathological focal enhancements on CTA images based on the other radiographic tests, surgical exploration including intraoperati ve sonography, follow-up imagings, the frequency, size, site, and shap e of nonpathological focal enhancements with CTA were assessed. Result s: Thirty-six nonpathological focal enhancements with CTA from 4 to 23 (mean = 11.4) mm were seen in 14 (45.2%) of 31 patients. Thirteen (36 .1%) of 36 nonpathological focal enhancements with CTA were not depict ed with CTAP. Nonpathological focal enhancements with CTA were frequen t in Couinaud segments III (27.8%), V (22.2%), and VI (19.4%). Twenty- three (63.9%) of 36 nonpathological focal enhancements were located in the edge of the Liver. Shapes of 36 nonpathological focal enhancement s with CTA included circular (n = 16), worm (n = 7), irregular (n = 6) , dot (n = 6), and wedge (n = 1). Conclusion: In nearly half of patien ts, spiral CTA shows various shapes of small nonpathological focal enh ancements more frequently in the liver edge.