COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY OF LIVER-TUMORS

Computed tomographic (CT) scan acquisition speed, interscan delay time , and image quality have significantly improved during the past decade . Thus CT has become a standard against which newer techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are validated. Comparison between CT and other modalities, however, lack validity unless the protocol for each procedure is optimized. The authors emphasize the importance of c orrect CT contrast enhancement techniques in order to obtain reproduci ble and optimal anatomical information for defining liver tumor morpho logy, which will determine resectability. Three-dimensional reconstruc tion using contiguous volume imaging with appropriate enhancement of v essels and tumor also provides important preoperative evaluation for p ossible resection. Analysis of the hemodynamic status of the liver par enchyma and of the lesions within it is also possible with contrast-en hanced CT although rarely practiced. With appropriate scanning techniq ues, excellent anatomical and functional information is obtained simul taneously using CT, although histologic specificity often remains insu fficient without biopsy.