Experimental study of CT perfusion imaging in rabbits with liver fibrosis

Objective To explore the value of CT perfusion imaging in early diagnosis of liver fibrosis in adult rabbits. Methods Liver fibrosis was induced in rabbits (n=62) by intragastric administration of CCl4 once a week. The doses of CCl4 were modified according to the index of liver function. Controls received equivalent water. Eight rabbits in experiment group and 2 rabbits in control group were killed at 8,12,16,20 weeks respectively. Before animals were sacrificed, CT perfusion scan were performed, then functional maps and perfusion parameters including HAP, HPP, HTP, HPI were computed and analyzed. Each liver lobe was processed for histological examination, which was the basis of pathologic classification of liver fibrosis. Results With the progress of liver fibrosis, HPP decreased whereas HAP increased. The differences of HPP and HTP between S3 stage, S4 stage and control group were significant. HPI in S4 stage was significantly different from that of S1 stage and control group. Conclusion CT perfusion imaging can demonstrate hemodynamic trend in different liver fibrosis stage. Hepatic perfusion parameters measured with CT can evaluate the severity of advanced liver fibrosis or early stage hepatic cirrhosis. The data of CT perfusion, especially the changes should be valuable for early clinical treatment and following up.