Study of 16-slice Spiral CT Angiography Technique in the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the capability of 16-slice spiral CT angiography technique in displaying hepatic vessels and its clinical value.Methods 105 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent multiphase enhanced liver scan involved in this study.The maximum intensity projection(MIP)and volume rendering(VR)were used to reconstruct liver vessel three-dimensionally in arterial phase and portal vein phase.The demonstration of hepatic artery and portal vein were analyzed and compared each other.58 cases were performed hepatic arterial DSA at the same time and used as reference.Results In the arterial phase,celiac trunk and its branches,hepatic artery,variant hepatic artery and tumor feeding artery could be demonstrated clearly.No significant difference was found between VR and MIP in displaying hepatic artery branches under grade 2 and tumor feeding artery,however,MIP was better than VR in demonstrating hepatic artery branches under grade 3 and tumor vascular changes with great significance(P0.05).Of the 57 patients underwent DSA examination at the same time,DSA was better than MIP in displaying hepatic artery under grade 4 with great significance(P0.05),but MIP had the same ability as DSA in displaying feeding artery and no significant difference was found in displaying hepatic artery under grade 3.Portal vein grade under grade 4 could be demonstrated on CTA and no significant difference was found between VR and MIP(P0.05).Conclusion 16-slice spiral CTA can display the relation between hepatic vessels system and HCC.This technique can meet clinical needs completely and provide creditable gist before surgery and intervention.