Hepatic perfusion disorders: Etiopathogenesis and related diseases

In this article, we have reviewed the hepatic perfusion disorder （HPD）, etiopathogenesis of HPD and corresponding diseases. Review of the literature was based on computer searches （PubMed, Index Medicus） and personal experiences. We considered HPD reflects perfusion differences due to redistribution of arterial blood flow among segments, subsegments and lobes of the liver. The plain CT scan findings of HPD manifests as triangular or wedge-shaped areas of low attenuation. On contrast-enhanced CT scan, HPD manifests multiple （or single） transient wedge-shaped, rotundloid or irregular appearance, homogeneous hyperattenuation （in less cases, hypoattenuation） during the hepatic arterial phase （HAP） and isoattenuated or slightly hyperattenuated areas during the portal arterial phase. Dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance （MR） features are similar to enhanced CT scan. Angiographic findings include non-opacification of portal vein on portograms or wedge-shaped segmental staining in arterial and parenchymal phases on hepatic angiograms. The causes of HPD are arterioportal shunts （APS）, intrahepatic vascular compressions and portal vein occlusion, steal phenomenon by hypervascular tumors, vascular variations and any other unknown reasons. It is very important for radiologists to be familiar with the various appearances of HPD to avoid false-positive diagnosis of pseudolesions and not to overestimate the extent of the disease.

Progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed during follow-up CT scan of digestive system neoplasm

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed during follow-up contrast material-enhanced multi-slice spiral computed tomography （MSCT） scan of digestive system neoplasm. Methods： Three-phase contrast material-enhanced MSCT were performed during the follow-up in patients with digestive system malignant tumor confirmed histologically. The progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed on contrast material-enhanced CT image were investigated at the 2 years follow-up with approximately 6 months interval. Results： The hepatic hyperperfusion disorders were showed in 39 patients on follow-up contrast material-enhanced MSCT scans. Among the 39 patients, initial hyperperfusion disorders were revealed in 6 （15.38%）, 26 （66.67%）, and 7 （17.95%） patients in 6, 12, and 18 months during follow-up respectively. The initial hyperperfusion disorders revealed in 12 months were more frequent than those revealed in 6 months （X2 = 14.82, P 〈 0.05） and 18 months （X2 = 15.02, P 〈 0.05）. Among the 39 patients, the hyperperfusion disorders progressed into liver metastasis based on typical CT findings in 37 （94.87%） patients, and were not obvious changes in 2 （5.13%） patients. Among the 37 patients, the hyperperfusion disorders progressed into metastasis in 10 （25.64%） patients in 6 months after the hyperperfusion disorders were revealed, and in 27（69.23%） patients in 12 months. The hyperperfusion disorders developing into metastasis were more in 12 months than those in 6 months （X2= 14.98, P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Most hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed at the follow-up of digestive system neoplasm may be early manifestations of liver metastasis. The careful follow-up of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders is necessary.

Diagnosis of hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor by fine-needle biopsy

Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor(IPT)is a benign lesion characterized by chronic infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrosis that clinically,radiologically,and pathologically mimics malignancy.However,the epidemiology of IPTs remains unclear.IPTs are often misdiagnosed as malignant lesions because of the lack of characteristic features.We present the case of a 32-year-old man that was misdiagnosed as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by CECT,CEMRI,and CEUS,which was finally confirmed as IPT by fine-needle liver biopsy.In this report,the key factor in the diagnosis of liver inflammatory masses was the presence of hepatic perfusion disorder.