Dual Arterial Phase Liver CT in Patients With Suspected Portal Hypertension

Multiphasic Liver CT Scan Including Dual Arterial Phase Imaging in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis and Suspected Portal Hypertension: Evaluation of Acquisition of Appropriate Late Arterial Phase Imaging

Patients with liver cirrhosis is at risk of developing HCC. To diagnose or detect HCC at CT/MRI, optimal late arterial phase (LAP) acquisition is critical to capture the tumor. For LAP acquisition, bolus-tracking is often used at CT. In patients with portal hypertension, however, bolus-tracking occasionally capture early arterial phase which may be related with slow portomesenteric flow. In this study, we obtain dual arterial phase in patients with suspected portal hypertension and determine whether this protocol (dual arterial phase) would provide higher incidence of LAP acquisition than single arterial phase acquisition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Older than 20 years
• Liver cirrhosis diagnosed with characteristic imaging feature or histology
• Presence of portal hypertension sign (splenomegaly and varices)
• Scheduled for liver CT
• And signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Relative or absolute contra-indication of contrast-enhanced CT