Using multidetector CT for preoperative vascular evaluation of liver neoplasms: technique and results

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the performance of CT angiography using multidetector CT (MDCT) for preoperative vascular evaluation in candidates who were scheduled for liver neoplasm resection.

Forty-two consecutive subjects with malignant liver tumors scheduled for resection were studied with multiphase MDCT. The first 22 subjects underwent both multiphase MDCT angiography and catheter angiography before surgery. The subsequent 20 subjects underwent only preoperative CT angiography. Postprocessing was performed, and the images were analyzed for the depiction of arterial, portal vein, and hepatic vein anatomy and for the identification of important vascular variants. The postprocessing findings were compared and correlated with the findings from catheter angiography (22/42) or intraoperative sonography (42/42) and surgery (42/42).

Arterial anomalies were detected on the images of 17 of 42 patients, including a replaced right hepatic artery in five, replaced left hepatic artery in six, accessory right and left hepatic arteries in two, common trunk for the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries in one, and early bifurcation of the celiac artery in one. In 22 patients in whom catheter angiography confirmation was available, the number of arteries and almost all the significant anomalies were correctly identified on CT angiography (accuracy, 97%; sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 100%). In the subset of 20 patients who underwent MDCT angiography without catheter angiography confirmation, all clinically relevant information was provided by CT angiography. The portal and hepatic vein anatomy and the relationships of the liver tumors to the neighboring venous structures were shown on CT.

Multidetector CT provides valuable preoperative information about hepatic vascular architecture and can be used as a noninvasive alternative to catheter angiography before oncologic liver surgery.