Heterogeneity analysis of triphasic CT scan perfusion parameters in differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and hemangioma

This study is to investigate quantitative measures and heterogeneity of perfusion parameters in the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hemangioma. In total, 32 HCC and 44 hemangioma (types 1, 2, and 3) cases were included in this retrospective study. Hepatic artery coefficient (HAC), portal vein coefficient (PVC), and arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) were calculated. Tumor heterogeneity was analyzed. Perfusion parameters and corresponding percentiles were compared between the HCC and hemangioma (especially atypical hemangioma) cases, as well as between the substantial lesion part and surrounding normal tissue. The mean value, and the 10th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles of PVC were significantly lower in the HCC cases than the types 1 and 2 hemangioma cases (P < .01). Moreover, the 90th percentile PVC in the HCC cases was also significantly lower than the type 3 hemangioma case (P < .01), while the mean value, and all the percentiles of AEF in the HCC cases were higher than the types 2 and 3 hemangioma cases (P < .01). The 10th percentile HAC in the HCC cases was higher than the type 2 hemangioma cases (P < .05). The mean value, and the 10th and 50th percentile HAC in the HCC cases were higher than the type 3 hemangioma case (P < .05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in HAC between the HCC and type 1 hemangioma cases (P > .05). Quantitative measurement of perfusion parameters and heterogeneity analysis show significance differences in the early detection and differential diagnosis of HCC and hemangioma cases, which might contribute to increasing the diagnostic accuracy.