Evaluation of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis with multi-slices spiral CT / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the multi-slices spiral CT (MSCT) findings of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(HAE), and to evaluate the value of MSCT for diagnosis of HAE. Methods Twenty-six cases with HAE were scanning by MSCT. The raw data were transmitted to advanced workstation for reconstruction imaging. Correlated studies were made between the CT features and pathology or other imaging results. Results Altogether 28 lesions were detected. They all revealed as heterogeneous hypodense mass with ill-defined boundary in plain CT but were easily being distinguished from surrounding parenchyma after contrast medium injection.Characteristics of the lesions include different amount of calcification (26/26), liquefied necrosis in center area (20/26), peripheral lacunae or alveolar signs (15/26), compensatory hypertrophy of healthy hepatic part (18/26) and the retraction in the involved hepatic lobe or segment (12/26). The lesions that located at or extended to hepatic hilum caused dilatation of intra-hepatic biliary ducts(9/26), splenomegaly (12/26), and ascites (1/26). MSCT angiography (CTA) depicted signs of abnormalities of hepatic vessels such as compression, displacement, encasement and occlusion. Compared with findings of operation, the sensitivity, specificity and positive prediction value of CTA for evaluating the hepatic artery system disorders were 88%, 96% and 93%, respectively; and for portal venous system were 95%, 100% and 95%, respectively; while for hepatic venous system were 96%, 86% and 96%, respectively. Conclusion MSCT is able to comprehensive display the CT features and vessels complication of HAE. It provides reliable imaging for both accuracy diagnosis and proper treatment of the disease.