Question

Difficulty: HardInterpreting Imaging Results

Match the following classic multiphasic contrast-enhanced imaging (CT or MRI) findings of the liver with their most likely corresponding hepatic lesion.

  • A well-circumscribed liver mass exhibiting intense hyperenhancement during the late arterial phase, followed by rapid contrast washout during the portal venous and delayed phases, along with a persistently enhancing peripheral pseudocapsule.Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • A well-defined hypodense hepatic lesion on non-contrast imaging that demonstrates peripheral, nodular, and discontinuous enhancement during the arterial phase, progressing to complete, uniform, centripetal contrast fill-in on delayed images.Cavernous hemangioma
  • A highly vascular liver lesion demonstrating prominent and uniform arterial phase hyperenhancement with a central hypodense region that progressively accumulates contrast, becoming hyperdense relative to the surrounding lesion on delayed imaging.Focal nodular hyperplasia
  • A solitary, well-demarcated heterogeneous hepatic mass showing moderate arterial enhancement without a central scar, often containing macroscopic fat or areas of acute intratumoral hemorrhage.Hepatocellular adenoma

Answer

The correct pairings match Hepatocellular carcinoma with arterial hyperenhancement and venous washout; Cavernous hemangioma with peripheral nodular centripetal fill-in; Focal nodular hyperplasia with intense arterial enhancement and a delayed-enhancing central scar; and Hepatocellular adenoma with heterogeneous arterial enhancement lacking a central scar.
Each primary hepatic lesion demonstrates a unique and predictable hemodynamic behavior on multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT or MRI that directly correlates with its underlying histological architecture.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the multiphasic contrast enhancement pattern for the first lesion description.
Identified arterial hyperenhancement with venous washout and an enhancing pseudocapsule.
This combination of findings reflects the exclusive arterial neovascularization of hepatocellular carcinoma, often allowing for definitive diagnosis without biopsy in at-risk patients.
2
Evaluate the contrast progression for the second lesion description.
Noted peripheral, discontinuous nodular enhancement with centripetal fill-in.
This delayed pooling of contrast confirms a cavernous hemangioma, the most common benign liver tumor, distinguished by its sluggish, center-directed hemodynamics.
3
Examine the third lesion's enhancement and internal structural features.
Identified intense arterial enhancement with a central scar showing delayed contrast retention.
The delayed enhancement of the central stellate scar reliably differentiates focal nodular hyperplasia from other hypervascular liver lesions.
4
Assess the fourth lesion's composition and vascular behavior.
Noted heterogeneous arterial enhancement, macroscopic fat, and intralesional hemorrhage without a scar.
These findings, particularly the presence of hemorrhage due to lacking a robust stromal framework, are highly characteristic of hepatocellular adenomas.

Key Concept

Radiographic differentiation of primary hepatic lesions using multiphasic contrast-enhanced imaging.
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