CT Manifestations Of Chronic Viral Hepatitis And Relationship With Disease Severity

[Purpose] To investigate the CT manifestations of chronic viral hepatitis and to address the relationship between CT features and the severity of chronic viral hepatitis.[Materials and Methods] According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the clinical data and laboratory information of 120 patients with chronic virus hepatitis were reviewed retrospectively. They were classified into mild (34 cases), moderate (22), severe hepatitis (26) and hepatitis gravis (38) respectively based on international standardized clinical criteria. All patients underwent standardized contrast-enhanced spiral CT dual-phase scanning of the upper abdomen. CT images were interpreted by two experienced radiologists through consensus reading. The morphological changes of the liver, bile duct, portal venous system, lymph node of the upper abdomen, peritoneal cavity and pleural cavity were observed and noted. Correlation analysis was applied for the relationship of CT imaging features and the severity indices of chronic hepatitis.[Results] (1) CT manifestations of chronic viral hepatitis were as follows: ?changes of the configuration and shape of the liver, ? changes of the density of the liver, ?intrahepatic perivascular lucency, ?thickening of gallbladder wall and edema of the gallbladder fossa, ?splenomegaly, ?enlargement of abdominal lymph nodes, ?ascites, ?abnormalities related to portal hypertension (collateral circulation), ?secondary thoracic changes (pleural and pericardial effusion). (2) There was some close association between certain CT features of chronic hepatitis and the clinical status of chronic hepatitis. With the progression and deterioration of chronic hepatitis, serum albumin level went down and value of ALT went up, the incidences of ? intrahepatic perivascular lucency, ?edema of the gallbladder fossa, ? enlargement of abdominal lymph nodes, ? ascites and ?secondary and thoracic changes increased markedly. Correlation between these CT manifestations and clinical severity of chronic viral hepatitis was of statistical significance.[Conclusions] Chronic viral hepatitis can demonstrate several abnormal findings on contrast-enhanced CT scanning. To certain extent, some CT features, such as intrahepatic perivascular lucency, edema of gallbladder fossa, enlargement of abdominal lymph nodes, ascites and secondary thoracic changes, can reflect the clinical severity of chronic viral hepatitis.