Imaging diffuse liver disease : part 2

Abstract

CT scan protocols for the liver may be classified single-, dual- or triple-phase techniques. An initial non-contrast enhanced scan is obtained with all three techniques. In the case of a single phase technique, the nonenhanced scan is followed by a scan in the portal venous phase (40 seconds after the peak aortic enhancement). In the dual-phase technique, scans are obtained in the late hepatic arterial phase (20 seconds after peak aortic enhancement) and in the portal venous phase. In the triple-phase technique, late arterial and late portal venous scans are followed by a hepatic venous phase scan (60 seconds after peak aortic enhancement).