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Hepatic perfusional changes on CT and MRI: a radiology primer

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Abstract

Hepatic perfusional changes are common in response to, or as a result of, a multitude of pathological processes. These can be neoplastic, inflammatory, fibrotic, or ischemic in origin, to name a few. The liver, having a dual blood supply, is a unique organ to study using contrast-enhanced CT and MRI imaging due to its varied appearance on multiphasic imaging. Knowledge of the CT and MRI appearance of hepatic perfusional changes, in addition to the clinical presentation, can often result in an accurate differential diagnosis. Many of the conditions that cause these changes in hepatic blood flow result in similar appearances on imaging. As a result, it is important that radiologists be aware of common pitfalls when dealing with hepatic perfusional changes to prevent misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. As such, this review will focus on some of the various causes of hepatic perfusional changes and how to accurately identify and diagnose them based on their CT and MRI appearance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University College Cork, School of Medicine, Cork, Ireland

    Dane Gunter

  2. Department of Radiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Shaista Riaz

  3. Department of Radiology, McMaster University, St Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada

    Ehsan A. Haider, Ryan Rebello & Abdullah Alabousi

  4. Department of Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Michael N. Patlas

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  1. Dane Gunter
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  2. Shaista Riaz
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  6. Abdullah Alabousi
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Correspondence to Abdullah Alabousi.

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Gunter, D., Riaz, S., Haider, E.A. et al. Hepatic perfusional changes on CT and MRI: a radiology primer. Abdom Radiol 46, 179–196 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-020-02787-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-020-02787-x

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