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Assessment of the hepatic microvascular changes in liver cirrhosis by perfusion computed tomography

Mai-Lin Chen1, Qing-Yu Zeng, Jian-Wei Huo

  • 1Department of Radiology, China Meitan General Hospital, 29 Xibahe Nanli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100028, China. miningchen@gmail.com

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|July 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Perfusion computed tomography (CT) reveals significant hepatic microvascular changes in liver cirrhosis patients. Decompensated cirrhosis shows decreased mean transit time (MTT) and increased permeability surface area product (PS).

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Hepatology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Liver cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease characterized by fibrosis and altered liver architecture.
  • Hepatic microvascular dysfunction is a key feature of cirrhosis progression.
  • Quantitative assessment of microvascular parameters is crucial for understanding disease severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate hepatic microvascular parameters in liver cirrhosis using perfusion computed tomography (CT).
  • To compare microvascular parameters between healthy controls and patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis.

Main Methods:

  • Perfusion CT was performed on 29 healthy controls and 39 liver cirrhosis patients (22 compensated, 17 decompensated).
  • Hepatic microvascular parameters, including mean transit time (MTT) and permeability surface area product (PS), were calculated using Perfusion 3 software.
  • CT cine-scans were acquired after contrast agent injection.

Main Results:

  • Statistically significant differences in MTT and PS were observed across the groups (P=0.010 for MTT, P=0.002 for PS).
  • Decompensated cirrhotic patients exhibited significantly decreased MTT (P=0.017) and remarkably increased PS (P=0.001) compared to controls.
  • MTT values were 15.6±4.2s (controls), 12.6±4.8s (compensated), and 11.7±4.6s (decompensated).
  • PS values were 18.9±7.2, 22.8±8.4, and 28.7±13.1 mL/min per 100 mL for the respective groups.

Conclusions:

  • Perfusion CT enables quantitative assessment of hepatic microvascular changes in liver cirrhosis.
  • Significant alterations in hepatic microvascular parameters (MTT and PS) are evident in decompensated cirrhosis.
Abstract

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