Focal hepatic nodules after transcatheter oily chemoembolization; detection with spiral CT versus conventional CT

The objective of this study was to determine if spiral computed tomography (CT) results in increased rate of detection of focal hepatic nodules containing iodized oil after transcatheter oily chemoembolization when compared with conventional CT.

Spiral CT with single 24-s breath-hold technique was compared with conventional sequential CT in 42 patients with suspected hepatocellular carcinomas. Two sets of CT scans obtained after transcatheter oily chemoembolization were independently reviewed by two radiologists. The slice thickness was 10 mm for both data sets. The number and sizes of focal hepatic nodules containing iodized oil were documented. All 42 patients had at least hepatic nodule. The lesion size varied from 2 mm to 12 cm.

In six of the 42 patients, more hepatic nodules could be identified on spiral CT compared with conventional CT. When scans with spiral CT were used, 107 nodules were detected, whereas 98 nodules were detected with conventional CT. Overall, nine (9%) more nodules were detected with spiral CT (p = .002). If lesions larger than 2 cm are excluded, nine (15%) more lesions were detected with spiral CT (p = .002).

Spiral CT results in increased rate of detection of focal hepatic nodules after transcatheter oily chemoembolization, particularly in lesions smaller than 2 cm.