Authors: Tong San Koh Choon Hua Thng Septian Hartono Puor Sherng Lee Su Pin Choo Donald Y H Poon Han Chong Toh Sotirios Bisdas
Publish Date: 2009/01/10
Volume: 19, Issue: 5, Pages: 1184-
Abstract
Dynamic contrastenhanced DCE CT imaging of four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma HCC was performed using a dualphase imaging protocol designed with initial rapid dynamic imaging to capture the initial increase in contrast medium enhancement in order to assess perfusion followed by a delayed imaging phase with progressively longer intervals to monitor subsequent tissue enhancement behaviour in order to assess tissue permeability The DCE CT images were analysed using a dualinput twocompartment distributed parameter model to yield separate estimates for blood flow and permeability as well as fractional intravascular and extravascular volumes The HCCs and surrounding cirrhotic liver tissues were found to exhibit enhancement curves that can be appropriately described by two distinct compartments separated by a semipermeable barrier Early contrast arrival was also found for HCC as compared with background liver These findings are consistent with the current understanding of sinusoidal capillarization and hepatocarcinogenesis
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