[Helical double-phase CT scan imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma and pathology of false-positive lesions].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The helical double-phase CT scan imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) overlap those of other hepatic lesions. This study was to investigate the helical double-phase CT scan imaging features of HCC to improve diagnosis accuracy.

METHODS

Double-phase CT data and pathologic data of 52 HCC patients, received resection in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University from Dec. 2000 to Dec. 2002, were analyzed. The double-phase CT features of HCC lesions were summarized. The pathology of false-positive lesions was analyzed.

RESULTS

CT scan showed 56 lesions in the 52 patients: 51 were cancer lesions, including 49 HCC lesions and 2 mixed lesions of HCC and cholangioma, 5 were false-positive lesions. Arterial phase of these HCC lesions showed obvious heterogeneous enhancement, and the portal vein phase showed heterogeneous low dense. Necrosis was seen in all massive lesions, but was seldom seen in nodular and small lesions. Most lesions had clear borders and amicula. The pathologic diagnoses of the 5 false-positive lesions were hepatic cirrhosis with hepatocellular nodular hyperplasia, regenerative nodule, hepatic cirrhosis, bile duct calculus companied with inflammatory reaction, and fibrosis hyperplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

Helical double-phase CT scan can be used to diagnose typical HCC lesions. There are no obvious differences in helical double-phase CT scan between HCC lesions and false-positive lesions. The diagnosis of HCC must be based on clinical information, follow-up or biopsy.