Helical CT Assessment on Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Comparison Value of Arterial Phase and Portovenous Phase Correlation
Chalida Aphinives MD*, Panaya Tumsatan MD*, Jiraporn Srinakarin MD*, Vallop Laopaiboon MD*, Potchavit Aphinives MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen ** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Objective : To study the correlation between the findings of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in hepatic arterial
phase and portal venous phase. Attention will focus on whether the arterial phase imaging shows more detail
than portal phase imaging.
Materials and Methods : Descriptive study design with retrospective data collection in Srinagarind Hospital,
Khon Kaen University. CT scans of the upper abdomen of 34 patients with pathologically proven hilar
cholangiocarcinoma between 2002 and 2004 were reviewed for: 1) characteristic of the tumor, 2) adenopathy,
3) arterial involvement, 4) venous involvement, and 5) degree of biliary involvement on both the hepatic
arterial and portal venous phases.
Results : The correlation was high for characteristics of the tumor, the tumor enhancement pattern, and
detection of adenopathy, degree of biliary involvement, and arterial involvement, but low for portal venous
involvement which the portal venous phase detected better than the hepatic arterial phase.
Conclusion : In hilar type cholangiocarcinoma, the portal venous phase yielded the best findings. Furthermore,
it showed all findings that were seen in the hepatic arterial phase. According to the present study, the authors
suggest doing a pre-contrast study then a portal venous phase imaging for evaluation and diagnosis of hilar
type cholangiocarcinoma. There is no necessity to perform hepatic arterial phase in hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Keywords : Hilar cholangiocarcinoma, Helical CT, Portovenous phase
