SCT diagnosis of hepatic abscess

Objective: To discuss the diagnostic features of hepatic abscess in multislice spiral CT(MSCT) with contrast enhancement(CE). Methods: Analysis of the plain MSCT scanning and 3-phase CE scanning findings of the bacterial hepatic abscess in 25 cases were carried out. All of which were diagnosed clinically. The delay times of the three phases were 25s, 60s and 120s respectively. Results: The typical features of the hepatic abscess in CE examination are as followings: ①High perfusion sign of the normal liver tissue around the lesions in arterial phase and portal phase; ②Single or multiple enhancement rims or rings are in and/or around the lesions; ③Thin or thick irregular septations can be seen in the lesions; ④The edematous zones around the lesions are showed most clearly in the portal phase; ⑤In the delayed phase, the wall, septations and edematous zone of the abscess are all isodense, only the necrotic areas are not enhanced and was hypodense. Some hepatic abscesses have atypical CT manifestations. The hepatic carcinoma can be complicated with the hepatic abscess. Conclusion: Three phase contrast enhancing MSCT scanning is specific in diagnosing hepatic abscess and is an indispensable examination method.