The combined use of CT and MR imaging techniques in the follow-up process of hepatic carcinoma

Objective　To investigate the value of combined use of CT and MRI routine scan and functional imaging techniques in the follow-up process of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods　44 cases of liver cancer patients received surgical treatment or non-surgical treatment (transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation, and gamma-knife radiotherapy) were enrolled. All patients received CT and MR scanning for follow-up assessment after treatment. The results of conventional scanning (including CT plain scan and dynamic enhancement, MRI T1 weighted imaging, T2 weighted imaging and MR dynamic enhancement) and functional scanning (CT perfusion, MR perfusion and MRI diffusion weighted imaging) in the follow-up study of liver cancer were analysed. Out of 44 patients, the examination in 16 postoperative patients with hepatocellular carcinoma focused around the area of tumor recurrence and inflammatory reaction after surgery. In 28 patients with non-surgical treatment, the examinations focused on comprehensive assessment of activity of the lesion. Results　Definite diagnosis was obtained in all of 44 patients undergoing the CT and MR conventional and functional imaging scanning. Among 16 postoperative patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, tumor recurrence at incision margin was found in 3 cases, and postoperative inflammatory reaction or abnormal focal hepatic perfusion was diagnosed in other 13 patients. As for the 28 patients with non-surgical treatment, complete tumor necrosis was found in 13, and incomplete tumor necrosis was diagnosed in 15. Conclusions　CT and MR functional scan, such as CT perfusion scanning, MR DWI scan and MR perfusion scanning can be used as a beneficial supplement for routine scan and dynamic enhanced scan in follow-up assessment of liver cancer to improve diagnostic accuracy.