On contrast-enhanced CT of the liver in a 45-year-old woman, a well-defined lesion shows intense peripheral nodular enhancement in the arterial phase, progressive centripetal fill-in on portal venous phase, and becomes isodense with the hepatic parenchyma on delayed phase. This pattern is MOST characteristic of:
- A Hepatocellular carcinoma
- B Hepatic metastasis from colon cancer
- C Hepatic haemangioma ✓
- D Focal nodular hyperplasia
Correct answer: C. Hepatic haemangioma
Explanation
The classic CECT pattern of hepatic haemangioma is peripheral nodular enhancement in the arterial phase (filling from the periphery with enhancement equal to the aorta), progressive centripetal fill-in on portal venous and delayed phases, ultimately becoming isodense with liver parenchyma. HCC shows arterial hyperenhancement with portal-venous washout. Metastases show arterial or portal enhancement with central necrosis. FNH shows homogeneous arterial enhancement with a central scar.
Reference: Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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