SMALL HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION - DETECTION WITH CT AFTER INJECTION OF IODIZED OIL

PURPOSE: To assess computed tomography (CT) with iodized oil for depic tion of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before liver transplantat ion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive cirrhotic patients underwent CT with iodized oil to determine the presence, number, size , and location of possible nodules. All patients underwent liver trans plantation within 4 months after CT. Explanted livers were cut in 8-mm slices that corresponded to axial CT scan planes. Comparison between CT staging and pathologic findings was made. RESULTS: Pathologic studi es showed 17 HCC nodules (diameter, 0.9-4.0 cm) in nine of the 35 live rs. CT depicted nine of these 17 nodules. Lesion-by-lesion analysis re vealed a sensitivity of 53%; CT falsely depicted three additional nodu les not confirmed with pathologic findings. Patient-by-patient analysi s revealed an 89% sensitivity and an 88% specificity. CONCLUSION: CT w ith iodized oil, when assessed lesion by lesion, has a low sensitivity . These results must be considered when liver resection is proposed fo r HCC.