Image analysis
tumor, cancer lesions, necrosis
LYMPH NODE ENLARGEMENT, DILATION, TUMOR, NECROSIS
The CT images were review independently by two radiologists with ten years of experience, and any discrepancies were resolved through consultation between the two or with a senior doctor who has twenty years of work experience. CT features include: (1) the measurement of the tumor size in the portal phase. (2) Assessing whether the tumor margin was smooth (smooth border) or non-smooth (lobulated or irregularly protruding) as it intrudes into the surrounding normal liver parenchyma. (3) Evaluating whether the tumor has a enhancing capsule, and whether the enhancing capsule was complete (none, complete, or incomplete). The enhancing capsule was defined as uniform and smooth enhancement around the tumor and was evaluated at its evident stage (in the venous phase or equilibrium phase). A complete capsule was defined as continuous coverage of more than 80% of the tumor. (4) The peritumoral enhancement in arterial phase was also determined (none or yes), which was defined as the presence of obvious enhancement in the peritumoral liver parenchyma in the arterial phase and isodensity in the portal venous phase and equilibrium phase. (5) Intratumoral necrosis was identified (none, < 25%, 25%-50%, 51%-75%, > 75%), defined as a low-density area within the tumor without enhancement on enhanced scan. (6) The presence of peritumoral satellite lesions (absent or present) was also recorded, which were defined as cancer lesions that were less than 2 cm from the tumor margin and less than 2 cm in diameter. (7) The dilation of bile duct (none or yes) was examined, defined as low-density conduits accompanying the blood vessels in portal venous phase. (8) Large vein invasion (none or yes) was evaluated, defined as portal vein or hepatic vein filling defect in the venous phase of enhanced scanning. (9) Hepatic porta and para-aortic lymph node enlargement (absent or present) were also noted, defined as lymph node short diameter of 1 cm or more. (10) Finally, the enhancement mode (wash in and wash out, inhomogeneous enhancement, or persistence enhancement) was identified [