Abstract: Objective To investigate the enhanced computer tomography (CT) findings and tumor diameter in patients with microvascular invasion (MVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The clinical data of 68 patients with HCC who received surgical treatment in our hospital from October 2017 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into invasion group (n=35) and non invasion group (n=33) according to whether complicated with vascular invasion. Enhanced CT findings (edge enhancement, tumor capsule, tumor classification, intratumoral artery, tumor number) and tumor diameter were compared between two groups. The differences between the 2 groups were included in the logistic regression analysis model to evaluate CT findings and tumor diameter and find risk factors of MVI in patients with HCC. Results The proportion of the existence of tumor capsule (66.67% vs 40.00%), single tumor focus (66.67% vs 22.86%), no intratumoral artery (60.61% vs 31.43%) and tumor diameter < 5 cm (66.67% vs 28.57%) of non invasion group were significantly higher than those of invasion group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of MVI in patients with HCC were non-capsule or incomplete tumor capsule (β=1.864, P=0.034, 95%CI=1.154 ~ 36.073), non single tumor focus (β=0.984, P=0.022, 95%CI=1.154 ~ 6.196), intratumoral artery (β=1.494, P=0.040, 95%CI=1.074 ~ 18.488) and tumor diameter ≥5 cm (β=1.908, P=0.026, 95%CI=1.258~36.122). Conclusion Enhanced CT scan and tumor diameter observation have a high value in diagnosing MVI of patients with HCC before operation.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Microvascular invasion, Enhanced computer tomography scan