4D-CT: a new development in three-dimensional hepatic computed tomography.

Abstract

1. OBJECTIVE: Addition of contrast dynamics to three-dimensional hepatic tumor CT imaging. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients with hepatic cavernous hemangioma with a mean age of 57 years were included in the study. Two of the patients were male and four were female. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) was carried out on the tumors in six phases by helical CT, using bolus injection of contrast medium intravenously. Using maximum intensity projection (MIP), a separate three-dimensional image was then reconstructed for each phase, and rotational images around the longitudinal axis of the torso were observed using the CRT monitor. 3. RESULTS: The patterns of contrast enhancement of hepatic cavernous hemangiomas were obtained on 3D-images. In all patients, the reciprocal relations between the tumor and the portal veins and the hepatic veins were clearly imaged three-dimensionally. 4. CONCLUSIONS: We have succeeded in adding the dynamic observation of a contrast medium to static three-dimensional imaging. This will be valuable for the diagnosis of hepatic tumors, and it opens up new prospects for diagnostic imaging.