Diagnosis
Hepatocellular
cancer, treated by chemoembolization.
Findings
Pretreatment MPR CT
images
(first and second images) demonstrate a hypervascular mass in the
right lobe of the liver, supplied by hypertrophied branches of the
right hepatic artery. The coronal 3D CT image (third image) clearly
defines this arterial anatomy, again showing hypertrophied arteries
supplying the inferior right hepatic mass. Findings are consistent
with the given history of hepatocellular carcinoma. The coronal 3D
dual phase image (fourth image) again shows the arterial anatomy,
but also shows patency of the main portal veins.
Posttreatment MPR CT
images
(fifth image) demonstrate high attenuation material concentrated in
the inferior right lobe of the liver, in the location of the
hepatocellular carcinoma. Findings represent expected findings of
intraarterial chemotherapy administration following selective right
hepatic artery catheterization.
Discussion
Advances in CT imaging have
allowed improved visualization of the tumor size and vascular
supply. These advanced techniques can also help to
plan the optimum vascular approach to deliver the embolic material.
The 3D volume image in this case is especially helpful for
visualizing tortuous or complex vascular supplies to the tumor and
the area of liver tissue supplied by each vessel.