Original Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1999. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 15, 1999; 5(3): 225-227
Published online Jun 15, 1999. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v5.i3.225
CT arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography in detection of micro liver cancer
Li Li, Pei-Hong Wu, Yun-Xian Mo, Hao-Gao Lin, Lie Zheng, Jin-Qing Li, Li-Xia Lu, Chao-Mei Ruan, Lin Chen
Li Li, Pei-Hong Wu, Yun-Xian Mo, Hao-Gao Lin, Lie Zheng, Jin-Qing Li, Li-Xia Lu, Chao-Mei Ruan, Lin Chen, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China
Li Li, male, born on 1968-10-08 in Changsha City, Hunan Province, graduated from Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences as a postgraduate in 1996, now attending doctor of medical imaging, majoring oncological imaging diagnosis and interventional radiology, having 8 papers published.
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by “9·5” National Major Project of National Committee of Sciences and Technology, No. 96-907-03-02.
Correspondence to: Dr. Li Li, Department of Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, 651 Dongfeng Road E, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China. Lililixj@public.guangzhou.gd.cn
Telephone: +86-20-87765368 Ext 3216 Fax: +86-20-87754506
Received: October 8, 1998
Revised: November 22, 1998
Accepted: February 6, 1999
Published online: June 15, 1999
Abstract

AIM: To recognize the characteristic findings of micro-liver cancer (MLC) and to evaluate the effect of CT arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA) in diagnosis of MLC.

METHODS: Between April 1996 to December 1998, CTAP and CTHA were performed in 12 patients with MLC, which were not detected by conventional CT examinations. After CTHA, 3 mL-5 mL mixture of lipiodol, doxorubicin and mitoycin C were injected into hepatic artery through the catheter, and the followed up by CT three or four weeks later (Lipiodol CT Lp-CT).

RESULTS: A total of 22 micro-tumors (0.2 cm-0.6 cm in diameter) were detected in 12 patients, which manifested as small perfusion defects in CTAP and small round enhancement in CTHA. The rate of detectability of CTAP and CTHA was 68.2% (15/22) and 77.3% (17/22) respectively, and the rate of the simultaneous use of both procedures reached 86.4% (19/22). All micro-tumors were demonstrated as punctate lipiodol deposit foci in Lp-CT. After Lp-CT, the elevated serum level of α-fetoprotein (AFP) dropped to the normal level in all patients.

CONCLUSION: The CTAP and CTHA are the most sensitive imaging methods for detecting micro-liver cancer. Confirmed by the change of the elevated serum AFP level and lipiodol deposit foci in Lp-CT, small perfusion defects in CTAP and puntuate enhancement in CTHA may suggest micro-liver cancer.

Keywords: liver neoplasms/diagnosis; CT arterial portography; CT hepatic arteriography