Imaging Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Dynamic CT Before and After Transarterial Chemoembolization: Optimal Scan
Marc Saake1, Michael M Lell1, Achim Eller1
1Department of Radiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Rationale And Objectives:
The aim of this study was to determine the optimal arterial phase delay for computed tomography imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before and after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using a low iodine dose protocol.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 39 patients with known HCC were imaged with dynamic computed tomography of the liver (40-second scan duration, 60 mL of contrast medium), both on the same day before TACE and 1 day after TACE. Time attenuation curves of vessels, nonmalignant liver parenchyma, and 62 HCCs were normalized to a uniform aortic contrast arrival and analyzed.
Results:
Maximal arterial phase HCC to liver contrast was reached between 13 and 17 seconds after aortic contrast arrival, both before and after TACE.
Conclusions:
Using our low iodine dose protocol, arterial phase imaging of HCC should be performed between 13 and 17 seconds after aortic contrast arrival, both before and after TACE.
