OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to ascertain the optimal timing and scanning method for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a high density mass during the early phase of dynamic hepatic CT and to confirm its clinical effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied retrospectively 39 patients with clinically diagnosed HCC who underwent dynamic hepatic CT. RESULTS: All nine lesions that were scanned within 60 s after initiating injections were detected as high density masses. However, 15 of 21 lesions (71%) that were scanned > 70 s after initiating injections could not be detected as high density masses. Using helical scanning, which permitted scanning the entire liver within 60 s after initiating injections, 27 of 31 lesions (87%) were detected as high density masses. CONCLUSION: We concluded that most HCCs can be detected as high density masses during the early phase of dynamic CT using helical scanning.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to ascertain the optimal timing and scanning method for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a high density mass during the early phase of dynamic hepatic CT and to confirm its clinical effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied retrospectively 39 patients with clinically diagnosed HCC who underwent dynamic hepatic CT. RESULTS: All nine lesions that were scanned within 60 s after initiating injections were detected as high density masses. However, 15 of 21 lesions (71%) that were scanned > 70 s after initiating injections could not be detected as high density masses. Using helical scanning, which permitted scanning the entire liver within 60 s after initiating injections, 27 of 31 lesions (87%) were detected as high density masses. CONCLUSION: We concluded that most HCCs can be detected as high density masses during the early phase of dynamic CT using helical scanning.