Computed Tomography of the Liver

Multidetector Computed Tomography (CT) plays a pivotal role in the evaluation of liver pathologies due to its fast acquisition time, thinner image thickness and narrow collimation, resulting in high temporal and spatial resolution, fundamental to detect subtle liver lesions and to optimize radiation exposure. State-of-the-art liver imaging requires proper patient preparation, the implementation of optimized contrast dye injection strategies, and a thorough CT scanner configuration. A multiphasic CT examination is mandatory to maximize diagnostic performances in terms of lesion identification and is the current choice in daily clinical practice. In the other hand, functional imaging, such as CT perfusion, provides quantitative parameters that improve diagnostic capabilities in selected cases. Operators needs to know different imaging reconstruction strategies and master all the available post-processing techniques, in order to select the best option in every clinical scenario. Over the last decades, Dualenergy CT has further expanded the diagnostic possibilities in liver imaging and is currently widely implemented in multiple Institutions worldwide. Eventually, photon-counting CT is the very latest technical advancement in CT imaging and is at the forefront of scientific research, bearing the potential to revolutionize liver imaging.