Types and patterns of contrast enhancement of hepatic tumours (hepatoma, hemangioma and metastasis) with dynamic computed tomography.

: Dynamic sequential computed tomography (d-CT) of the liver was performed in 69 patients with histopathologic findings of hepatoma (HCC), 62 patients with hemangioma and in 78 patients with proved 134 liver metastases. Dynamic enhancement in hepatoma, hemangioma and metastases was analysed during the nonequilibrium phase (30-150s) and delayed equilibrium phase (2,5-7 min) using the following classification of tumour: totally hyperdense, centrally hyperdense, mixed density, totally isodense and totally hypodense. In the early examination phase 14 (19%) HCC were totally hyperdense or peripherally hyperdense, and 40 (57%) HCC were totally hypodense. In the early phase 49 (79%) hemangiomas were peripherally hyperdense. In the early nonequilibrium examination phase 62% metastases were hypodense. In the delayed phase 94% HCC were totally hypodense. Hemangiomas in the delayed phase were totally hyperdense and totally isodense (17/29). In the equilibrium examination phase 97% metastases were hypodense. The contrast enhancement pattern of hepatomas, hemangiomas and metastases seen in dynamic CT scanning is useful in diagnosis of these tumours.