CT during arterial portography: diagnostic pitfalls.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Computed tomography (CT) during arterial portography (CTAP) is an important technique for evaluating the liver before hepatic tumor resection. With this technique, most tumors are of low attenuation compared with that of enhancing parenchyma. At times, low-attenuation lesions are encountered that represent perfusion abnormalities rather than tumor deposits. These perfusion abnormalities can be categorized as (a) those resulting from improper technique; (b) those extending from hilum to capsule (straight-line sign), with or without an obstructing mass; (c) perihilar and periligamentous abnormalities; (d) subcapsular defects (linear or wedge shaped); and (e) those seen with cirrhosis or regenerating nodules. Adjuvant use of delayed CT, magnetic resonance imaging, and intraoperative ultrasound aids in characterization of these nontumorous defects, thereby improving specificity. The authors conclude that when potential candidates are evaluated for hepatic tumor resection, knowledge of the existence of the various diagnostic pitfalls of CTAP and their imaging characteristics is imperative to avoid inadvertent false results.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Nelson, RC; Thompson, GH; Chezmar, JL; Harned, RK; Fernandez, MP
Published Date
- July 1992
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 12 / 4
Start / End Page
- 705 - 718
PubMed ID
- 1321980
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0271-5333
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1148/radiographics.12.4.1321980
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States