Hepatocellular carcinoma is becoming one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. The survival rate averages between 6 and 20 months. Patients with hepatitis B and C are the most susceptible. The main blood supply of the tumor tissue is through the hepatic artery. For this reason, the tumor exhibits a classic pattern of enhancement in the arterial phase of triphasic CT study and washout in portal and delayed phases.

Portal vein thrombosis is present in 40% of hepatocellular carcinoma cases at the time of diagnosis. Thrombus enhancement is highly suggestive of malignant thrombus. Triphasic CT shows high specificity for the diagnosis of malignant portal vein invasion.