Objectives: To study the relationship between CT imaging features and the severity of chronic viral hepatitis.
Methods: The clinical data and laboratory information of 120 chronic virus hepatitis patients were reviewed retrospectively. They were categorized into mild (34 cases), moderate (22), severe hepatitis (26) and hepatitis gravis (38) groups based on international standardized clinical criteria. All patients underwent standardized contrast-enhanced spiral CT dual-phase scanning of the upper abdomen. The changes of the liver, bile duct, spleen, portal venous system, lymph nodes of the upper abdomen, peritoneal cavity and pleural cavity were examined and noted. Correlation analysis was applied for the relationship of CT imaging features and the severity indices of chronic virus hepatitis.
Results: As the severity of chronic hepatitis increased, which was reflected as serum albumin level went down and the value of ALT went up, the incidences of the following manifestations were also intensified: (1) intrahepatic perivascular lucency, (2) edema of the gallbladder fossa, (3) enlargement of abdominal lymph nodes, (4) ascites and (5) thoracic changes. Correlation between these CT manifestations and clinical severity of chronic viral hepatitis was of statistical significance.
Conclusion: A close correlation exists between certain CT features of chronic hepatitis and the clinical severity of chronic viral hepatitis.