Value of hepatic arterial phase CT versus lipiodol ultrafluid CT in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the role of hepatic arterial phase (HAP) spiral comp uted tomography (CT), as compared with iodized oil (Lipiodol ultrafluid [LU F]) CT for revealing nodular hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Methods: Twenty-four cirrhotic patients underwent two-phase HCT examination : HAP 25 seconds and portal phase 70 seconds after injection of 1.5 mL/Kg c ontrast medium. All patients also underwent hepatic angiography and intraar terial infusion of iodized oil; LUF CT was performed 3-4 weeks after infusi on. HCT images were compared with LUF CT images for detection of hepatic no dules. Results: We found no significant difference between the sensitivity of HAP CT and LUF CT for nodules >10 mm, while HAP CT was more sensitive than LUF CT in revealing nodules <10 mm (47 vs. 27, p < 0.001). Conclusions: HCT should be considered as the first method for the detection of HCC, whereas LUF CT should be used only for therapy.