Diagnostic Efficacy of Triple-Phase Multidetector CT in the Evaluation of Focal Hepatic Lesions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71393/7wbq3v15Keywords:
Triple-phase MDCT; Focal hepatic lesions; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Hepatic hemangioma; Liver metastasis; Contrast-enhanced CT; Hepatic imaging.Abstract
Introduction: Focal hepatic lesions comprise a wide spectrum of benign and malignant pathologies, requiring accurate imaging-based differentiation for appropriate clinical management. Triple-phase Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) plays a vital role in lesion characterization by evaluating dynamic enhancement patterns during different vascular phases.
Aim & Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of triple-phase MDCT in the characterization and differentiation of focal hepatic lesions and to correlate imaging findings with histopathological examination.
Materials & Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over 12 months in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital. Fifty patients aged >20 years with suspected or ultrasonographically detected focal liver lesions underwent triple-phase MDCT. Lesions were assessed for morphology, enhancement patterns, vascular involvement, and extrahepatic features. Histopathology (FNAC, biopsy, or surgical specimens) served as the reference standard where available.
Results: Among the 50 patients studied, benign lesions constituted 68% of cases, while malignant lesions accounted for 32%. Hepatic abscess was the most common benign lesion (36%), whereas metastasis was the most common malignant lesion (18%). Hemangiomas demonstrated characteristic peripheral nodular enhancement with centripetal fill-in, while hepatocellular carcinoma showed arterial hyperenhancement with portal venous washout. Triple-phase MDCT correctly characterized 43 out of 44 histopathologically correlated cases, yielding an overall diagnostic accuracy of 97.5%. Additional findings such as portal vein thrombosis, inflammatory hyperemia, and metastatic spread were effectively demonstrated.
Conclusion: Triple-phase MDCT is a highly sensitive, rapid, and reliable imaging modality for evaluating focal hepatic lesions. Characteristic enhancement patterns enable accurate differentiation of benign & malignant lesions and provide essential information for diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning.
