ABSTRACT

Background:

Extensive use of imaging studies has increased the detection rates of hepatic lesions. Focal hepatic
lesions constitute a daily challenge in the clinical setting. However, noninvasive methods can be
useful in the detection and characterization of these lesions. Accurate diagnosis allows the
appropriate selection of optimal management. This paper focuses on the use of computed
tomography (CT) in diagnosing focal liver lesions and their patterns.

Objective:

To assess the prevalence and patterns of focal liver lesions in patients who underwent contrast
enhanced abdominal CT scans at St. Paul’s Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) from June
1, 2021 to November 30, 2021.

Method:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who underwent Abdominal CT scan at

SPHMMC. Data was collected by using a structured check list. The data was entered to SPSS for
analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed. For categorical variables frequency
distribution and percentages was used for summarization. For continuous variables, appropriates
measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion was applied. The results was narrated
and summarized by using texts, frequency tables and graphs.

Results

Out of 1755 patients with abdominal CT at SPHMMC in the period between June and November
2021, 328 (18.6%) patients had focal liver lesions. Most common focal liver lesions in this study
were metastases (31.6%), hemangioma (23.3%), simple cysts (15%), HCC (13.5%) and
cholangiocarcinoma (6.8%). Majority of the lesions (54.9%) were hypoenhancing or
nonenhancing and the rest were hyperenhancing. Seventy five percent of the lesions were solid
and 21% were cystic. Females had higher prevalence of focal liver lesion with a female to male
ratio of 2:1. The mean age of patients was 46 years. Most of the lesions (62.4%) were multiple
lesions with mean size of 4 cm. Metastatic work up was the most common indication for abdominal
CT (32.8%) and metastases was the most common radiologic diagnosis (31.6%).

Conclusion:

Significant proportion of patients with abdominal CT (18.6%) had focal liver lesions. Of all focal
liver lesions detected on abdominal CT, metastases, hepatic hemangioma and simple hepatic cysts
represent more than 70% of all detected focal liver lesions and first consideration should be given
to them. The finding of FNH, FLC or an adenoma is rare discovery. In hypoenhancing lesions,
metastases is the leading diagnosis and should be first considered and hepatic hemangioma is the
most common hyperenhancing lesion and should be ruled out first.
 St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College

Department of Radiology

PREVALENCE AND PATTERNS OF FOCAL LIVER LESIONS ON

TRIPHASIC CONTRAST ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) IN
St. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE: A CROSS-
SECTIONAL STUDY

INVESTIGATOR: Mukhtar Muse (MD, Radiology Resident)

THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RADIOLOGY, SPHMMC

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
SPECIALITY CERTIFICATE IN RADIOLOGY

October, 2021

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College

Department of Radiology

PREVALENCE AND PATTERNS OF FOCAL LIVER LESIONS ON

TRIPHASIC CONTRAST ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) IN
St. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE : A CROSS-
SECTIONAL STUDY

INVESTIGATOR: Mukhtar Muse (MD, Radiology Resident)

ADVISORS: Solomon Tessema (MD, Radiologist)

Fantu Lombamo (MD, MPH, Assistant Professor)

THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RADIOLOGY, SPHMMC

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
SPECIALITY CERTIFICATE IN RADIOLOGY

October, 2021

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Budget Plan
The estimated budget is about 25,000 Birr and distributed as follows

1. Data collection
Data collection No. No of days Per diem Total cost ETB
PI 1 45 200 9,000
Data collectors 4 11 200 8,800

Chart collectors 133 charts ---- 5 birr per chart 665

Total --- --- --- 18465

2. Stationary
Material Unit Total needed Unit cost Total cost
Duplicating paper Ream 1 500 500 birr
Pen Each 10 10 100 birr
Flash disk Each 2 400 800 birr
CD(RW) Each 10 25 250 birr
Mobile card Hours 10 30 300
Communication and Months 2 1500 3000
Internet

Total ---- ------ ------ 4950

3. Printing
Checklist Unit Total needed Unit cost Total cost
Proposal first draft Pages 25 5 125
Proposal second draft Pages 30 5 150
Research Pages 50 5 250
Checklist Pates 150 5 750
Cover pages, laminating and _________ ___________ ___________ 500
other printing expenses
Total 1775

Grand total

Category Price ETB

Data collection 18465
Material 4950
Printing 1775
Grand total 25,190 ETB.