Mimics of Hepatic Neoplasms

The normal liver receives a dual blood supply from the hepatic artery and the portal vein, each supplying approximately 25% and 75% of blood volume respectively.1 As a result, there is low enhancement of the normal liver parenchyma during the arterial phase as the contrast transported by the hepatic artery is diluted by a ratio of 4:1 by unopacified portal venous blood. Note that hepatic neoplasms are usually predominantly supplied by the hepatic artery. This distinction is the basis for the multiphase contrast enhanced liver protocol for computed tomography (CT) and MRI.
Source: Seminars in Roentgenology - Category: Radiology Authors: Source Type: research