Objective To review the principles and techniques of CT perfusion imaging and its applications in the imaging diagnosis of abdominal disorders. Methods All the relevant literatures were reviewed. The principles and techniques of CT perfusion imaging were described and summarized in detail. The functional information of a target abdominal organ (e.g. the liver and pancreas) revealed by CT perfusion imaging, such as hemodynamics and microcirculation status, was also evaluated. Results In addition to the morphologic information, CT perfusion imaging can also provide functional information about the circulation parameters of target abdominal organs. Moreover, such functional information can be generated for the neovasculature and microcirculation of tumor lesions of abdominal organs, which is very helpful for not only the diagnosis, but also the evaluation of tumor invasiveness and response to treatment. Conclusion CT perfusion imaging offers an effective method for studying abdominal disorders by providing functional information that is quite useful for the differential diagnosis and assessment of therapeutic response.
Objective To introduce the imaging modalities used for the evaluation of postoperative complications of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and to present the imaging findings of these complications. Methods The literatures related to the imaging methods and imaging manifestations of OLT complications were reviewed. Results Ultrasound was the initial imaging technique used for the detection of complications in the early postoperative period. Spiral CT and MRI yielded more accurate and comprehensive evaluation of postoperative complications in later stage. So far, there had been no specific imaging findings to suggest rejection reaction. The spectrum of imaging manifestations of OLT complications, such as vascular complications, biliary complications, liver parenchymal complications, and so on, were summarized and illustrated. Conclusion Imaging examination (especially ultrasound, spiral CT and MRI ) plays an important role in the evaluation of postoperative complications of OLT.
Objective To assess value and limitations of non-invasive methods in assessing liver fibrosis．Methods By summarized current situation and advancement of serum fibrotic markers, ultrasound, CT and MRI in assessing liver fibrosis, we investigated their value and limitations. Results In addition to diagnosis, non-invasive methods of assessing liver fibrosis assess severity of liver fibrosis. For liver fibrosis, however, non-invasive methods can not monitor effectively reaction to therapy and progression. Conclusion Non-invasive methods play important roles in diagnosis and assessing severity of liver fibrosis, and reduce the need of liver biopsy.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic value of CT, MRI, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the localization and qualitative diagnosis of biliary obstruction.MethodsA total of 80 patients with biliary obstruction in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were retrospectively collected. The patients were all examined by CT, MRI, and MRCP. The imaging images of all patients were interpreted by two radiologists with more than 5 years of working experience. Taking the results of operation and histopathology as the gold standard, the diagnostic value of CT, MRI+MRCP, CT+MRI+MRCP in the localization and qualitative diagnosis of biliary obstruction lesions were evaluated.ResultsCompared with the location results of surgery and histopathology, the coincidence rates of CT+MRI+MRCP and MRI+MRCP were higher than that of CT (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between CT+MRI+MRCP and MRI+MRCP (P>0.05); compared with the benign and malignant results of surgery and histopathology, the coincidence rates of CT, CT+MRI+MRCP and MRI+MRCP were close, and there was no statistical significance among them (P>0.05).ConclusionsMRI+MRCP and CT+MRI+MRCP have the same value in the localization and qualitative diagnosis of biliary obstruction. However, MRI+MRCP have the advantages ofnon-radiation or contrast media, it is more suitable for patients who are worried about the impact of radiation, have contrast media allergy or renal insufficiency.
ObjectiveTo introduce the technique of threedimensional portal venography of multidetector row spiral CT and its clinical application in the evaluation of the portosystemic collateral shunts of liver cirrhosis. MethodsAll relevant literatures were retrospectively reviewed on the application of twodimensional and threedimensional reconstruction techniques such as MIP, SSD, VRT of multidetector row spiral CT to demonstrate the collateral vessels of liver cirrhosis.ResultsThe distribution, pathway and anatomy of portosystemic collateral vessels were well shown by multidetector row spiral CT portal venography. Conclusion Multidetector row spiral CT portal venography provides excellent depiction of the anatomic characteristics of the collateral shunts and enables the continuous tracing of vascular structures, thus it is very helpful in the imaging evaluation of the collateral vessels of liver cirrhosis.
Objective To review the current status of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis. Methods The application and recent advances of various kinds of MRI techniques in evaluating hepatic fibrosis were summarized by literature review. Results The state-of-the-art of MRI evaluating of hepatic fibrosis included common contrast-enhanced MRI, double contrast-enhanced MRI, and various functional MRI techniques. Common contrast-enhanced MRI could detect morphological changes of the liver, but little value in phasing. Double contrast-enhanced MRI markedly increased the contrast to noise ratio. Except diagnosis liver fibrosis, functional MRI also could phase it by its serverity. Conclusion MRI techniques, especially those functional MRI techniques, are advancing very fast and have very great potentiality in both the diagnosis and severity assessment of hepatic fibrosis.