What’s the difference between a CT Three Phase Liver Protocol with contrast and a regular abdominal CT?

[JennerLayne]

Just saw my hepatologist Thursday for a three-month check up. They never mentioned scheduling this test, but I received a note Friday afternoon in my electronic chart to have this test done Mon AM. I am assuming that given I’m stage 4 and under the care of a transplant team (not listed yet and just on their radar), that they are now zeroing in on the liver and screening for HCC? Can anyone tell me more about this? I’m having it done tomorrow morning will not be able to contact the doctor before the test. Thank you.

[AyrshireK]

Basically in a normal CT scan they just do the one lot of images so it doesn't reveal how the contrast is perfusing round the liver at different intervals. In the three phase one you seem to get an initial baseline (pre-contrast) set of images then some at differnet intervals as the contrast makes it's way round the liver and therefore will reveal more about anything that appears there.

It takes a bit longer than the normal CT scan and there is slightly more exposure to the radiation used but it obviously provides clearer and more thorough information about what's going on in the liver.

Hopefully it'll tell doctors what they want to know.

All the best with it, Katie

[JennerLayne in reply to AyrshireK]

All went well yesterday AM with the scan and the report was sent to me about 8 hours later. No liver tumors or new findings . . . all status quo and great news for me!