Dynamic Computed Tomography in Woodchuck Hepatoma Model
Date Issued
2012
Date
2012
Author(s)
Shih, I-Lun
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer worldwide, with especially higher incidence in Asia. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major causes of HCC. For the basic and translational researches for HCC, an appropriate animal model is needed. Eastern woodchuck (Marmota monax) is a useful animal model which is similar to the HBV- related HCC in humans. Woodchuck can be infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV), a virus with high similarity to human HBV, and develops chronic hepatitis. After infection, woodchuck HCC develops within one to four years.
Dynamic computed tomography (CT) is an important imaging technique for diagnosing and follow up human HCC. HCC has typical image appearances on dynamic CT, showing well-enhancement in arterial phase and washout (less enhancement than liver parenchyma) in venous phase. In addition, image acquisition in CT is less operator dependent than in ultrasonography, and is not limited by echo windows. Therefore, we would like to develop dynamic CT techniques as an imaging tool in woodchuck hepatoma model, and could be applied in researches in human HCC.
We performed ultrasonography and dynamic CT in 20 woodchucks with chronic WHV infection. Follow up CT scan was performed after 4 months and 1 year. We analyzed the image appearances in dynamic CT scans, and correlated with findings in sonography and autopsy. Total 18 tumors were identified, and 83.3% of them showed typical image appearances similar to human HCCs. No evidence of liver cirrhosis or major vascular invasion was identified. The sensitivity (90.9%) and specificity (100%) of dynamic CT for diagnosing woodchuck HCC, and could be applied in future researches in this animal model.
Subjects
hepatocellular carcinoma
woodchuck
computed tomography
SDGs
Type
thesis
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