Question

There is a substantial enhancement of the liver compared to tumors during the ________ phase, but during the __________ phase, there is the possibility of tumor enhancement, which may make hepatic tumors isodense with liver tissue.

a. bolus, equilibrium
b. non-equilibrium, equilibrium
c. non-equilibrium, bolus
d. equilibrium, non-equilibrium

Answer 1

The answer to the question about contrast enhancement phases is a. bolus, equilibrium. Hepatocytes are arranged in lobules, supported by other cell types, to enhance liver function and maintain homeostasis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The contrast enhancement of hepatic tumours compared to normal liver tissue in medical imaging exams, such as computed tomography (CT), depends on the timing of imaging after contrast administration. The correct answer to the question regarding the phases where there is enhancement of the liver compared to tumours is during the bolus phase, and the potential for tumour enhancement making hepatic tumours isodense with liver tissue occurs during the equilibrium phase. Thus, the answer is a. bolus, equilibrium.

Hepatocytes are located in liver lobules, which enhance their function by maximizing exposure to blood-borne substances that need to be processed. Different cell types, such as Kupffer cells and endothelial cells, are integrated into this three-dimensional environment to maintain liver homeostasis, which is essential for proper liver function. Additionally, primary hepatocyte cultures and human hepatic tumour cell lines like HepG2 play significant roles in research due to their ability to mimic in vivo conditions, despite some limitations.