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Yin Y, de Haas RJ, Alves N, Pennings JP, Ruiter SJS, Kwee TC, Yakar D. Machine learning-based radiomic analysis and growth visualization for ablation site recurrence diagnosis in follow-up CT. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2024; 49:1122-1131. [PMID: 38289352 PMCID: PMC10955006 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-023-04178-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Detecting ablation site recurrence (ASR) after thermal ablation remains a challenge for radiologists due to the similarity between tumor recurrence and post-ablative changes. Radiomic analysis and machine learning methods may show additional value in addressing this challenge. The present study primarily sought to determine the efficacy of radiomic analysis in detecting ASR on follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans. The second aim was to develop a visualization tool capable of emphasizing regions of ASR between follow-up scans in individual patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Lasso regression and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) classifiers were employed for modeling radiomic features extracted from regions of interest delineated by two radiologists. A leave-one-out test (LOOT) was utilized for performance evaluation. A visualization method, creating difference heatmaps (diff-maps) between two follow-up scans, was developed to emphasize regions of growth and thereby highlighting potential ASR. RESULTS A total of 55 patients, including 20 with and 35 without ASR, were included in the radiomic analysis. The best performing model was achieved by Lasso regression tested with the LOOT approach, reaching an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.97 and an accuracy of 92.73%. The XGBoost classifier demonstrated better performance when trained with all extracted radiomic features than without feature selection, achieving an AUC of 0.93 and an accuracy of 89.09%. The diff-maps correctly highlighted post-ablative liver tumor recurrence in all patients. CONCLUSIONS Machine learning-based radiomic analysis and growth visualization proved effective in detecting ablation site recurrence on follow-up CT scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchao Yin
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert J de Haas
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Natalia Alves
- Diagnostic Image Analysis Group, Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Pieter Pennings
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Simeon J S Ruiter
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas C Kwee
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Derya Yakar
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Radiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Cheng Z, Wang Y, Yuan M, Liang J, Feng Y, Shi Y, Zhang Z, Shan F. CT perfusion imaging can detect residual lung tumor early after radiofrequency ablation: a preliminary animal study on both tumoral and peri-tumoral region assessment. J Thorac Dis 2022; 14:64-75. [PMID: 35242369 PMCID: PMC8828527 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-21-967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat lung cancer. Timely evaluation on residual lung tumor after RFA is crucial to the prognosis, hence, our objective is to assess CT perfusion (CTP) on detection of residual lung tumor early after RFA. METHODS CTP imaging was performed in 24 lung VX2 tumor models 1 day before and within 1 hour after RFA. CTP maps with dual-input (n=24) and single-input [n=13, with predominant ground glass opacity (GGO) after RFA] models were generated using the maximal slope method. Regions of interest were independently placed on the maximal cross-sectional tumor before and after RFA and on GGO after RFA by two thoracic radiologists. The bronchial flow (BF), pulmonary flow (PF) and perfusion index (PI) were compared between pre-RFA and post-RFA images. The parameters (BF, PF and PI of tumor; PF of GGO) of the complete and incomplete RFA groups were compared based on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH) and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and were correlated with the microvascular density (MVD). RESULTS The BF and PF decreased after RFA (all P values <0.03). The decrease in BF and PF (ΔBF and ΔPF) in the complete RFA group was higher (P=0.01; 0.02). The areas under the curve (AUC) of ΔBF and ΔPF at 14.85 and 17.25 mL/min/100 mL in determination of tumor with complete ablation were 0.80 and 0.78, respectively. ΔBF was positively correlated with MVD (P=0.046, r=0.468). PF of GGO with incomplete RFA was higher (P=0.001). The AUC of PF ≤29.4 mL/min/100 mL in determination of tumor with complete ablation was 0.99. CONCLUSIONS CTP could detect residual lung tumor early after RFA in a rabbit model, which might provide a clinical solution to early treatment assessment after RFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenghui Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yixue Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Yuan
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianxiao Liang
- Department of Radiology, Dongying People’s Hospital, Dongying, China
| | - Yanling Feng
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxin Shi
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Shan
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Yue X, Dong X, Huang M, Yang H, Qian K, Yi C, Alwalid O, Ren Y, Han P, Li Q. Early Assessment of Response to Radiofrequency Ablation With CT Perfusion Imaging in Rabbit VX2 Liver Tumor Model. Front Oncol 2021; 11:728781. [PMID: 34900679 PMCID: PMC8656278 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.728781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To discriminate viable tumors from benign periablational enhancement (BPE) in early stage after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a major confounding problem. The goal of this study is to evaluate quantitative assessment and diagnostic value of CT perfusion between viable tumors and BPE after RFA in the rabbit liver VX2 tumor model, with pathological results as the standard. Methods Twenty-eight VX2 liver tumors were treated with RFA, on days 1, 3, 7, and 14, seven rabbits were randomly chosen for CT perfusion and performed pathology examinations immediately. The perfusion parameters along with the profile of time-density curves (TDCs) and pseudo-color images of the parameters were observed in both BPE and viable tumors, then compared with the pathology results. The perfusion parameters included blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), time to peak (TTP), permeability (P), arterial liver perfusion (ALP), portal venous perfusion (PVP) and hepatic perfusion index (HPI). Results A total of 26/28 rabbits successfully underwent CT perfusion, while 6/26 lesions were confirmed to be viable tumors. The TDCs of BPE were mainly speed-up platform curves (15/26), while the viable tumors showed mainly speed-up speed-down (3/6) and speed-up platform (2/6) curves. The PVP values were significantly higher, and the HPI values were significantly lower for BPE at all time points than viable tumors (P < 0.05). Both of PVP value and HPI value have high efficiency for the differential diagnosis of the viable tumors and BPE at each time point. These characteristics of CT perfusion parameters were consistent with pathological changes. Conclusions The TDCs, PVP and HPI have the potential to indicate BPE and viable tumors effectively early after RFA treatment, the results were highly consistent with pathology. CT perfusion has advantages with great efficacy in monitoring the therapeutic effect early after RFA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Yue
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangjun Dong
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengting Huang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongli Yang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Kun Qian
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Changhong Yi
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Osamah Alwalid
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanqiao Ren
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Han
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, China
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Maas M, Beets-Tan R, Gaubert JY, Gomez Munoz F, Habert P, Klompenhouwer LG, Vilares Morgado P, Schaefer N, Cornelis FH, Solomon SB, van der Reijd D, Bilbao JI. Follow-up after radiological intervention in oncology: ECIO-ESOI evidence and consensus-based recommendations for clinical practice. Insights Imaging 2020; 11:83. [PMID: 32676924 PMCID: PMC7366866 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-020-00884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Interventional radiology plays an important and increasing role in cancer treatment. Follow-up is important to be able to assess treatment success and detect locoregional and distant recurrence and recommendations for follow-up are needed. At ECIO 2018, a joint ECIO-ESOI session was organized to establish follow-up recommendations for oncologic intervention in liver, renal, and lung cancer. Treatments included thermal ablation, TACE, and TARE. In total five topics were evaluated: ablation in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), TARE in CRLM, TACE and TARE in HCC, ablation in renal cancer, and ablation in lung cancer. Evaluated modalities were FDG-PET-CT, CT, MRI, and (contrast-enhanced) ultrasound. Prior to the session, five experts were selected and performed a systematic review and presented statements, which were voted on in a telephone conference prior to the meeting by all panelists. These statements were presented and discussed at the ECIO-ESOI session at ECIO 2018. This paper presents the recommendations that followed from these initiatives. Based on expert opinions and the available evidence, follow-up schedules were proposed for liver cancer, renal cancer, and lung cancer. FDG-PET-CT, CT, and MRI are the recommended modalities, but one should beware of false-positive signs of residual tumor or recurrence due to inflammation early after the intervention. There is a need for prospective preferably multicenter studies to validate new techniques and new response criteria. This paper presents recommendations that can be used in clinical practice to perform the follow-up of patients with liver, lung, and renal cancer who were treated with interventional locoregional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Maas
- Dept of Radiology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Regina Beets-Tan
- Dept of Radiology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Yves Gaubert
- Dept of Radiology, CHU Hospital Timone, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, LIIE, Marseille, France
| | - Fernando Gomez Munoz
- Dept of Radiology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Dept of Radiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paul Habert
- Dept of Radiology, CHU Hospital Timone, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, LIIE, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Niklaus Schaefer
- Dept of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Stephen B Solomon
- Dept of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | | | - Jose Ignacio Bilbao
- Dept of Radiology, University Clinic of Navarra, Calle Benjamín de Tudela, 2, 31008, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
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Gregory J, Dioguardi Burgio M, Corrias G, Vilgrain V, Ronot M. Evaluation of liver tumour response by imaging. JHEP Rep 2020; 2:100100. [PMID: 32514496 PMCID: PMC7267412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2020.100100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of assessing tumour response on imaging is to identify patients who are likely to benefit - or not - from anticancer treatment, especially in relation to survival. The World Health Organization was the first to develop assessment criteria. This early score, which assessed tumour burden by standardising lesion size measurements, laid the groundwork for many of the criteria that followed. This was then improved by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) which was quickly adopted by the oncology community. At the same time, many interventional oncology treatments were developed to target specific features of liver tumours that result in significant changes in tumours but have little effect on tumour size. New criteria focusing on the viable part of tumours were therefore designed to provide more appropriate feedback to guide patient management. Targeted therapy has resulted in a breakthrough that challenges conventional response criteria due to the non-linear relationship between response and tumour size, requiring the development of methods that emphasize the appearance of tumours. More recently, research into functional and quantitative imaging has created new opportunities in liver imaging. These results have suggested that certain parameters could serve as early predictors of response or could predict later tumour response at baseline. These approaches have now been extended by machine learning and deep learning. This clinical review focuses on the progress made in the evaluation of liver tumours on imaging, discussing the rationale for this approach, addressing challenges and controversies in the field, and suggesting possible future developments.
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Key Words
- (c)TACE, (conventional) transarterial chemoembolisation
- (m)RECIST, (modified) Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours
- 18F-FDG, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose
- 90Y, yttrium-90
- ADC, apparent diffusion coefficient
- APHE, arterial phase hyperenhancement
- CEUS, contrast-enhanced ultrasound
- CRLM, colorectal liver metastases
- DWI, diffusion-weighted imaging
- EASL
- EASL, European Association for the Study of the Liver criteria
- GIST, gastrointestinal stromal tumours
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HU, Hounsfield unit
- Imaging
- LI-RADS
- LI-RADS, Liver Imaging Reporting And Data System
- Liver
- Metastases
- PD, progressive disease
- PET, positron emission tomography
- PR, partial response
- RECIST
- SD, stable disease
- SIRT, selective internal radiotherapy
- TR, treatment response
- Tumours
- WHO, World Health Organization
- mRECIST
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules Gregory
- Department of Radiology, APHP, University Hospitals Paris Nord Val de Seine, Beaujon, Clichy, France
- University of Paris, Paris, France
- INSERM U1149, CRI, Paris, France
| | - Marco Dioguardi Burgio
- Department of Radiology, APHP, University Hospitals Paris Nord Val de Seine, Beaujon, Clichy, France
- University of Paris, Paris, France
- INSERM U1149, CRI, Paris, France
| | - Giuseppe Corrias
- Department of Radiology, APHP, University Hospitals Paris Nord Val de Seine, Beaujon, Clichy, France
- University of Paris, Paris, France
- INSERM U1149, CRI, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Vilgrain
- Department of Radiology, APHP, University Hospitals Paris Nord Val de Seine, Beaujon, Clichy, France
- University of Paris, Paris, France
- INSERM U1149, CRI, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, APHP, University Hospitals Paris Nord Val de Seine, Beaujon, Clichy, France
- University of Paris, Paris, France
- INSERM U1149, CRI, Paris, France
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Andersen IR, Thorup K, Jepsen BN, Mortensen FV, Nielsen DT, Rasmussen F. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography in the treatment evaluation of patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with ablation: a feasibility study. Acta Radiol 2019; 60:936-945. [PMID: 30335477 DOI: 10.1177/0284185118806661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background A major concern following ablation treatment is the risk of insufficient heating leaving vital tumor tissue at the treatment site, leading to recurrent disease and reduced survival. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) has the potential to evaluate the treatment site in an objective and standardized manner and provide a marker of recurrent disease. Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of measuring changes in the dynamic parameters of the treatment site following ablation of colorectal liver metastases, assessed by DCE-CT using a novel evaluation method, applying a circumferential semi-automated attenuation-restricted volume of interest (VOI). Material and Methods Forty-three treatment sites following ablation in 39 patients with colorectal liver metastases were evaluated using DCE-CT. A total of 159 DCE-CT scans were analyzed using the circumferential semi-automatized VOI. Results We found no significant differences in the dynamic parameters over time between a group of patients with recurrent disease and a group without. No consistent associations between time to recurrence and the dynamic histogram parameters were identified. Conclusion In this exploratory feasibility study, we were not able to differentiate between the two groups (recurrence/no recurrence) using the dynamic parameters derived from the standardized circumferential VOI. In time, the method may have potential to evaluate the treatment site following ablation in an objective and standardized manner. Currently, the method needs further refinement before clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iben R Andersen
- Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kennet Thorup
- Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Betina N Jepsen
- Department of Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Dennis T Nielsen
- Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Finn Rasmussen
- Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Lee D, Park S, Ang MJC, Park JG, Yoon S, Kim C, Lee SK, Cho KO, Choi J. Evaluation of liver lesions by use of shear wave elastography and computed tomography perfusion imaging after radiofrequency ablation in clinically normal dogs. Am J Vet Res 2019; 79:1140-1149. [PMID: 30372151 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.79.11.1140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate acute changes of the liver by use of shear wave elastography (SWE) and CT perfusion after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). ANIMALS 7 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES RFA was performed on the liver (day 0). Stiffness of the ablation lesion, transitional zone, and normal parenchyma were evaluated by use of SWE, and blood flow, blood volume, and arterial liver perfusion of those regions were evaluated by use of CT perfusion on days 0 and 4. All RFA lesions were histologically examined on day 4. RESULTS Examination of the SWE color-coded map distinctly revealed stiffness of the liver tissue, which increased from the normal parenchyma to the transitional zone and then to the ablation zone. For CT perfusion, blood flow, blood volume, and arterial liver perfusion decreased from the transitional zone to the normal parenchyma and then to the ablation zone. Tissue stiffness and CT perfusion variables did not differ significantly between days 0 and 4. Histologic examination revealed central diffuse necrosis and peripheral hyperemia with infiltration of lymphoid cells and macrophages. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Coagulation necrosis induced a loss of blood perfusion and caused tissue hardening (stiffness) in the ablation zone. Hyperemic and inflammatory changes of the transitional zone resulted in increased blood perfusion. Acute changes in stiffness and perfusion of liver tissue after RFA could be determined by use of SWE and CT perfusion. These results can be used to predict the clinical efficacy of RFA and to support further studies, including those involving hepatic neoplasia.
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Jiang HY, Chen J, Xia CC, Cao LK, Duan T, Song B. Noninvasive imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma: From diagnosis to prognosis. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:2348-2362. [PMID: 29904242 PMCID: PMC6000290 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i22.2348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and a major public health problem worldwide. Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complex multistep process at molecular, cellular, and histologic levels with key alterations that can be revealed by noninvasive imaging modalities. Therefore, imaging techniques play pivotal roles in the detection, characterization, staging, surveillance, and prognosis evaluation of HCC. Currently, ultrasound is the first-line imaging modality for screening and surveillance purposes. While based on conclusive enhancement patterns comprising arterial phase hyperenhancement and portal venous and/or delayed phase wash-out, contrast enhanced dynamic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the diagnostic tools for HCC without requirements for histopathologic confirmation. Functional MRI techniques, including diffusion-weighted imaging, MRI with hepatobiliary contrast agents, perfusion imaging, and magnetic resonance elastography, show promise in providing further important information regarding tumor biological behaviors. In addition, evaluation of tumor imaging characteristics, including nodule size, margin, number, vascular invasion, and growth patterns, allows preoperative prediction of tumor microvascular invasion and patient prognosis. Therefore, the aim of this article is to review the current state-of-the-art and recent advances in the comprehensive noninvasive imaging evaluation of HCC. We also provide the basic key concepts of HCC development and an overview of the current practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Yu Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Chun-Chao Xia
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Li-Kun Cao
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ting Duan
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Bin Song
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
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Ronot M, Clift AK, Vilgrain V, Frilling A. Functional imaging in liver tumours. J Hepatol 2016; 65:1017-1030. [PMID: 27395013 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Functional imaging encompasses techniques capable of assessing physiological parameters of tissues, and offers useful clinical information in addition to that obtained from morphological imaging. Such techniques may include magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted sequences or hepatobiliary contrast agents, perfusion imaging, or molecular imaging with radiolabelled tracers. The liver is of major importance in oncological practice; not only is hepatocellular carcinoma one of the malignancies with steadily rising incidence worldwide, but hepatic metastases are regularly observed with a range of solid neoplasms. Within the realm of hepatic oncology, different functional imaging modalities may occupy pivotal roles in lesion characterisation, treatment selection and follow-up, depending on tumour size and type. In this review, we characterise the major forms of functional imaging, discuss their current application to the management of patients with common primary and secondary liver tumours, and anticipate future developments within this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, APHP, University Hospitals Paris Nord Val de Seine, Beaujon, Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France; University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; INSERM U1149, Centre de recherche biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon, CRB3, Paris, France
| | | | - Valérie Vilgrain
- Department of Radiology, APHP, University Hospitals Paris Nord Val de Seine, Beaujon, Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France; University Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France; INSERM U1149, Centre de recherche biomédicale Bichat-Beaujon, CRB3, Paris, France.
| | - Andrea Frilling
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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10
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Enite AM, Rabee H. Multi-detector CT perfusion as a diagnostic imaging modality to evaluate local therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrnm.2016.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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Chang XW, Ma XX, Zhu RT, Li J. Imaging evaluation of residual cancer after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2016; 24:1539-1544. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v24.i10.1539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, and only a few patients have the chance of surgical resection. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a good treatment for patients with unresectable liver cancer. The existence of residual cancer after radiofrequency ablation has a direct impact on the prognosis of patients, so it is important to accurately determine whether there is residual cancer after RFA treatment in order to reduce the local recurrence and prolong the survival time of patients. In this paper, we discuss the evaluation of residual cancer after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma by ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and nuclear medicine modalities.
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Is CT perfusion ready for liver cancer treatment evaluation? J Am Coll Radiol 2015; 12:111-3. [PMID: 25557575 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2014.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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De Robertis R, Tinazzi Martini P, Demozzi E, Puntel G, Ortolani S, Cingarlini S, Ruzzenente A, Guglielmi A, Tortora G, Bassi C, Pederzoli P, D’Onofrio M. Prognostication and response assessment in liver and pancreatic tumors: The new imaging. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:6794-6808. [PMID: 26078555 PMCID: PMC4462719 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i22.6794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and perfusion computed tomography (CT) are technical improvements of morphologic imaging that can evaluate functional properties of hepato-bilio-pancreatic tumors during conventional MRI or CT examinations. Nevertheless, the term “functional imaging” is commonly used to describe molecular imaging techniques, as positron emission tomography (PET) CT/MRI, which still represent the most widely used methods for the evaluation of functional properties of solid neoplasms; unlike PET or single photon emission computed tomography, functional imaging techniques applied to conventional MRI/CT examinations do not require the administration of radiolabeled drugs or specific equipments. Moreover, DWI and DCE-MRI can be performed during the same session, thus providing a comprehensive “one-step” morphological and functional evaluation of hepato-bilio-pancreatic tumors. Literature data reveal that functional imaging techniques could be proposed for the evaluation of these tumors before treatment, given that they may improve staging and predict prognosis or clinical outcome. Microscopic changes within neoplastic tissues induced by treatments can be detected and quantified with functional imaging, therefore these techniques could be used also for post-treatment assessment, even at an early stage. The aim of this editorial is to describe possible applications of new functional imaging techniques apart from molecular imaging to hepatic and pancreatic tumors through a review of up-to-date literature data, with a particular emphasis on pathological correlations, prognostic stratification and post-treatment monitoring.
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van Tilborg AA, Scheffer HJ, van der Meijs BB, van Werkum MH, Melenhorst MC, van den Tol PM, Meijerink MR. Transcatheter CT Hepatic Arteriography–Guided Percutaneous Ablation to Treat Ablation Site Recurrences of Colorectal Liver Metastases: The Incomplete Ring Sign. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2015; 26:583-7.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2014.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
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Kim SH, Kamaya A, Willmann JK. CT perfusion of the liver: principles and applications in oncology. Radiology 2014; 272:322-44. [PMID: 25058132 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.14130091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
With the introduction of molecularly targeted chemotherapeutics, there is an increasing need for defining new response criteria for therapeutic success because use of morphologic imaging alone may not fully assess tumor response. Computed tomographic (CT) perfusion imaging of the liver provides functional information about the microcirculation of normal parenchyma and focal liver lesions and is a promising technique for assessing the efficacy of various anticancer treatments. CT perfusion also shows promising results for diagnosing primary or metastatic tumors, for predicting early response to anticancer treatments, and for monitoring tumor recurrence after therapy. Many of the limitations of early CT perfusion studies performed in the liver, such as limited coverage, motion artifacts, and high radiation dose of CT, are being addressed by recent technical advances. These include a wide area detector with or without volumetric spiral or shuttle modes, motion correction algorithms, and new CT reconstruction technologies such as iterative algorithms. Although several issues related to perfusion imaging-such as paucity of large multicenter trials, limited accessibility of perfusion software, and lack of standardization in methods-remain unsolved, CT perfusion has now reached technical maturity, allowing for its use in assessing tumor vascularity in larger-scale prospective clinical trials. In this review, basic principles, current acquisition protocols, and pharmacokinetic models used for CT perfusion imaging of the liver are described. Various oncologic applications of CT perfusion of the liver are discussed and current challenges, as well as possible solutions, for CT perfusion are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Hyung Kim
- From the Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr, Room H1307, Stanford, CA 94305-5621 (S.H.K., A.K., J.K.W.); and Department of Radiology and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea (S.H.K.)
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Assessment of Prostate Cancer With Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Using an En Bloc Approach. Invest Radiol 2014; 49:571-8. [DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Ippolito D, Fior D, Bonaffini PA, Capraro C, Leni D, Corso R, Sironi S. Quantitative evaluation of CT-perfusion map as indicator of tumor response to transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation in HCC patients. Eur J Radiol 2014; 83:1665-1671. [PMID: 24962900 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2014.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Revised: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess if radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) may influence the evaluation of perfusion parameters obtained with CT-perfusion (CT-p) in HCC treated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-three consecutive cirrhotic patients with biopsy-proven diagnosis of HCC lesions and candidates to TACE or RFA were included. The CT-p study of hepatic parenchyma and of treated lesions was performed about 1 month after treatment on 16 multidetector CT after injection of 50mL of non ionic contrast agent (350mg I/mL) at a flow rate of 6mL/s acquiring 40 dynamic scans. A dedicated perfusion software which generated a quantitative map of arterial and portal perfusion by means of colour scale was employed.The following perfusion parameters were assessed before and after RFA or TACE treatment: hepatic perfusion (HP), arterial perfusion (AP), blood volume (BV), time to peak (TTP), hepatic perfusion index (HPI). RESULTS A complete treatment was obtained in 16 cases and incomplete treatment in the 17 remaining cases. The perfusion data of completely treated lesions were: HP 10.2±6.3; AP 10.4±7; BV 4.05±4.8; TTP 38.9±4.2; HPI 9.9±9.2, whereas in partially treated lesions were: HP 43.2±15.1mL/s/100g; AP 38.7±8.8mL/min; BV 20.7±9.5mL/100mg; TTP 24±3.7s; HPI 61.7±7.5%. In adjacent cirrhotic parenchyma, the parameters of all evaluated patients were: HP 13.2±4; AP 12.3±3.4; BV 11.8±2.8; TTP 43.9±2.9; and HPI 17.1±9.8. A significant difference (P<0.001) was found for all parameters between residual viable tumor tissue (P<0.001) compared to successfully treated lesion due to the presence of residual arterial vascular structure in viable portion of treated HCC. CONCLUSION According to our results, CT-p evaluation is not influenced by TACE or RFA treatments, thus representing a feasible technique that allows a reproducible quantitative evaluation of treatment response in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ippolito
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo Monza, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy.
| | - Davide Fior
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo Monza, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Pietro Andrea Bonaffini
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo Monza, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Cristina Capraro
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo Monza, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Davide Leni
- Department of Interventional Radiology, H. S. Gerardo Monza, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Rocco Corso
- Department of Interventional Radiology, H. S. Gerardo Monza, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Sandro Sironi
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, H. S. Gerardo Monza, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
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Ippolito D, Bonaffini PA, Capraro C, Leni D, Corso R, Sironi S. Viable residual tumor tissue after radiofrequency ablation treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma: evaluation with CT perfusion. ABDOMINAL IMAGING 2013; 38:502-510. [PMID: 22743839 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-012-9924-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the role of CT perfusion technique in detection of blood flow changes related to the therapeutic effects in HCC lesion treated with RFA. METHODS 14 cirrhotic patients with known HCC underwent a perfusion study about 4 months (range 1-13 months) after RFA on a 16-slice MDCT scanner (Brilliance, Philips). Dynamic CT was performed acquiring 8 dynamic slice/scan, after injection of 50 mL of contrast media. In treated lesion, surrounding parenchyma and hypervascular tissue suspicious for residual disease/recurrence, the following perfusion parameters were analyzed: perfusion (P, mL/100 g min); arterial perfusion (AP, mL/min); blood volume (BV, mL/100 mg); hepatic perfusion index (HPI, %), and time to peak (TTP, s). Univariate Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS In patients with residual disease (8/14) values of perfusion parameters measured within tumor were: P, median = 45.2; AP, median = 48.2; BV, median = 18.9; HPI, median = 35.8; and TTP, median = 19.4. The values calculated in ablated area were: P, median = 10.9; AP, median = 9.6; BV, median = 5.5; HPI, median = 14.6; TTP, median = 39.6. The parameters calculated in the surrounding parenchyma were: P, median = 15.8; AP, median = 14.2; BV, median = 12.0; HPI, median = 17.9; TTP, median = 43.2. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in mean values of P, AP, and HPI, calculated between treated lesions with residual tumor and those successfully treated. CONCLUSION Perfusion CT enables assessment of HCC vascularity after RFA treatment, by adding quantitative information about the presence of residual arterial vessels within the viable residual neoplastic tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ippolito
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Via Pergolesi 33, Monza, MB, Italy.
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Wang X, Xue HD, Jin ZY, Su BY, Li Z, Sun H, Chen Y, Liu W. Quantitative hepatic CT perfusion measurement: comparison of Couinaud's hepatic segments with dual-source 128-slice CT. Eur J Radiol 2012; 82:220-6. [PMID: 23083523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Revised: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 09/22/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the quantitative liver computed tomography perfusion (CTP) differences among eight hepatic segments. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was based on 72 acquired upper abdomen CTP scans for detecting suspected pancreas tumor. Patients with primary or metastatic liver tumor, any focal liver lesions except simple cyst (<3 cm in diameter), history of liver operation or splenectomy, evidence of liver cirrhosis or invasion of portal vein were excluded. The final analysis included 50 patients (M:F=21:29, mean age=43.2 years, 15-76 years). Arterial liver perfusion (ALP), portal-venous perfusion (PVP), total hepatic perfusion (THP=ALP+PVP), and hepatic perfusion index (HPI) of each hepatic segment were calculated and compared by means of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferonni correction method. RESULTS Compared to hepatic segments 5, 6, 7 and 8, segments 2 and 3 showed a tendency of higher ALPs, lower PVPs, and higher HPIs, most of which were statistically significant (p<0.05). Hepatic segments 1 and 4 had higher mean values of ALP and HPI and lower mean values of PVP than segments 5, 6, 7 and 8 as well, although no significant differences were detected except for ALP and HPI for liver segments 1 and 7 (p=0.001 and 0.035 respectively), and ALP for liver segments 1 and 5 (p=0.039). Higher ALP and HPI were showed in hepatic segment 3 compared to segment 4 (p=0.000 and 0.000 respectively). No significant differences were found for THP among eight segments. CONCLUSIONS Intra-hepatic perfusion differences exist in normal hepatic parenchyma especially between lateral sector (segments 2 and 3) and right lobe (segments 5, 6, 7 and 8). This might have potential clinical significance in liver-perfusion-related protocol design and result analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
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Abstract
Based on recent clinical practice guidelines, imaging is largely replacing pathology as the preferred diagnostic method for determination of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A variety of imaging modalities, including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and angiography, are currently used to examine patients with chronic liver disease and suspected HCC. Advancements in imaging techniques such as perfusion imaging, diffusion imaging, and elastography along with the development of new contrast media will further improve the ability to detect and characterize HCC. Early diagnosis of HCC is essential for prompt treatment, which may in turn improve prognosis. Considering the process of hepatocarcinogenesis, it is important to evaluate sequential changes via imaging which would help to differentiate HCC from premalignant or benign lesions. Recent innovations including multiphasic examinations, high-resolution imaging, and the increased functional capabilities available with contrast-enhanced US, multidetector row CT, and MRI have raised the standards for HCC diagnosis. Although hemodynamic features of nodules in the cirrhotic liver remain the main diagnostic criterion, newly developed cellspecific contrast agents have shown great possibilities for improved HCC diagnosis and may overcome the diagnostic dilemma associated with small or borderline hepatocellular lesions. In the 20th century paradigm of medical imaging, radiological diagnosis was based on morphological characteristics, but in the 21st century, a paradigm shift to include biomedical, physiological, functional, and genetic imaging is needed. A multidisciplinary team approach is necessary to foster an integrated approach to HCC imaging. By developing and combining new imaging modalities, all phases of HCC patient care, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and therapy, can be dramatically improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Byung Ihn Choi
- *Byung Ihn Choi, MD, Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744 (Korea), Tel. +82 2 2072 2515, E-Mail
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Lee JM, Yoon JH, Joo I, Woo HS. Recent Advances in CT and MR Imaging for Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver Cancer 2012; 1:22-40. [PMID: 24159569 PMCID: PMC3747553 DOI: 10.1159/000339018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Accurate diagnosis and assessment of disease extent are crucial for proper management of patients with HCC. Imaging plays a crucial role in early detection, accurate staging, and the planning of management strategies. A variety of imaging modalities are currently used in evaluating patients with suspected HCC; these include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and angiography. Among these modalities, dynamic MRI and CT are regarded as the best imaging techniques available for the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC. Recent improvements in CT and MRI technology have made noninvasive and reliable diagnostic assessment of hepatocellular nodules possible in the cirrhotic liver, and biopsy is frequently not required prior to treatment. Until now, the major challenge for radiologists in imaging cirrhosis has been the characterization of small cirrhotic nodules smaller than 2 cm in diameter. Further technological advancement will undoubtedly have a major impact on liver tumor imaging. The increased speed of data acquisition in CT and MRI has allowed improvements in both spatial and temporal resolution, which have made possible a more precise evaluation of the hemodynamics of liver nodules. Furthermore, the development of new, tissue-specific contrast agents such as gadoxetic acid has improved HCC detection on MRI. In this review, we discuss the role of CT and MRI in the diagnosis and staging of HCC, recent technological advances, and the strengths and limitations of these imaging modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeong-Hee Yoon
- *Jeong Min Lee, MD, Department of Radiology and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744 (South Korea), Tel. +82 2 2072 3154, E-Mail
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Reiner CS, Goetti R, Burger IA, Fischer MA, Frauenfelder T, Knuth A, Pfammatter T, Schaefer N, Alkadhi H. Liver perfusion imaging in patients with primary and metastatic liver malignancy: prospective comparison between 99mTc-MAA spect and dynamic CT perfusion. Acad Radiol 2012; 19:613-21. [PMID: 22285400 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2011.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2011] [Revised: 12/23/2011] [Accepted: 12/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To prospectively analyze the correlation between parameters of liver perfusion from technetium99m-macroaggregates of albumin (99mTc-MAA) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with those obtained from dynamic CT perfusion in patients with primary or metastatic liver malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five consecutive patients (11 women, 14 men; mean age 60.9 ± 10.8; range: 32-78 years) with primary (n = 5) or metastatic (n = 20) liver malignancy planned to undergo selective internal radiotherapy underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced CT liver perfusion imaging (four-dimensional spiral mode, scan range 14.8 cm, 15 scans, cycle time 3 seconds) and 99m)Tc-MAA SPECT after intraarterial injection of 180 MBq 99mTc-MAA on the same day. Data were evaluated by two blinded and independent readers for the parameters arterial liver perfusion (ALP), portal venous perfusion (PVP), and total liver perfusion (TLP) from CT, and the 99mTc-MAA uptake-ratio of tumors in relation to normal liver parenchyma from SPECT. RESULTS Interreader agreements for quantitative perfusion parameters were high for dynamic CT (r = 0.90-0.98, each P < .01) and 99mTc -MAA SPECT (r = 0.91, P < .01). Significant correlation was found between 99mTc-MAA uptake ratio and ALP (r = 0.7, P < .01) in liver tumors. No significant correlation was found between 99mTc-MAA uptake ratio, PVP (r = -0.381, P = .081), and TLP (r = 0.039, P = .862). CONCLUSION This study indicates that in patients with primary and metastatic liver malignancy, ALP obtained by dynamic CT liver perfusion significantly correlates with the 99mTc-MAA uptake ratio obtained by SPECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caecilia S Reiner
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistr. 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
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Ippolito D, Capraro C, Casiraghi A, Cestari C, Sironi S. Quantitative assessment of tumour associated neovascularisation in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma: role of dynamic-CT perfusion imaging. Eur Radiol 2012; 22:803-811. [PMID: 22086560 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-011-2307-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the value of perfusion computed tomography (CT-p) in the quantitative assessment of tumour-related neoangiogenesis processes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two biopsy proven HCC lesions were examined with dynamic CT investigations during injection of 50 mL of contrast agent (350 mgI/mL). A dedicated perfusion software which generated a quantitative map of arterial and portal perfusion by means of a colour scale was employed. The following parameters related to the blood microcirculation and tissue perfusion were calculated: hepatic perfusion (Perf), tissue blood volume (BV), hepatic perfusion index (HPI), arterial perfusion (AP), portal perfusion (PP), and time to peak (TTP). Perfusion parameters were statistically analysed, comparing neoplastic lesions with cirrhotic parenchyma. RESULTS Perf, BV, HPI and AP values were higher (P < 0.001), whereas PP and TTP were lower (P < 0.001) in HCC relative to the surrounding liver. No significant correlation was found between perfusion parameters and HCC grade. Values of perfusion parameters in the cirrhotic liver of patients with and without HCC were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that CT-p can help in non-invasive quantification of tumour blood supply, related to the formation of new arterial structures (neoangiogenesis), which are essential for tumour growth. KEY POINTS Perfusion computed tomography (CT) enables depiction of tumour vascular physiology. Perfusion CT is non-invasive and is now quick to perform and analyse. Quantitative measurements of hepatic perfusion provide important information about hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Such perfusion CT data may help in the determination of the outcome of HCC. Perfusion CT can act as an in-vivo biomarker of tumour-related angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ippolito
- School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
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Kele PG, de Jong KP, van der Jagt EJ. Increase in volume of ablation zones during follow-up is highly suggestive of ablation site recurrence in colorectal liver metastases treated with radiofrequency ablation. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2012; 23:537-44. [PMID: 22341635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2011.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 12/07/2011] [Accepted: 12/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that volume changes of ablation zones (AZs) on successive computed tomography (CT) scans could predict ablation site recurrences (ASRs) in patients with colorectal liver metastases treated by radiofrequency (RF) ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS RF ablation was performed in 58 patients with 117 metastases. Metastasis volumes and AZ volumes were measured before RF ablation, 1 week after RF ablation (t1), and every 3 months in the first year after RF ablation (t2-t5). Volumetry was performed semiautomatically on CT scans by drawing freehand regions of interest in the portal venous phase on 2-mm-thickness slices. ASR was defined as contrast enhancement on follow-up imaging or by a hot spot on fludeoxyglucose F 18 positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scanning. Proportional volume change of an AZ was defined as the difference in volume percentages between two successive time points of measurement. Negative values represented a volume decrease, and positive values represented a volume increase. Intraobserver variability and interobserver variability were evaluated by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). RESULTS ASRs occurred in 15 patients with 27 AZs. An increase in volume occurred in 26 AZs (96%) with ASRs. AZs without ASR showed no volume increase. Although proportional volume changes at t1-t2 were not predictive for ASR, subsequent volume changes were predictive for ASR. Contrast-enhanced CT-based evaluation detected ASRs in 17 (63%) of 27 AZs, 7 (26%) of 27 AZs were negative, and there was doubt in 3 (11%) of 27 AZs. Intraobserver variability and interobserver variability were good (0.998 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.996-0.999; P < .001] and 0.993 [95% CI 0.987-0.996; P < .001]). CONCLUSIONS Volumetry of AZs is useful because a volume increase of an AZ during follow-up is highly suggestive of ASR. Negative volume changes of the AZ from t1-t2 were not correlated with the development of ASRs, but subsequent volume changes were predictive for ASRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra G Kele
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Kanda T, Yoshikawa T, Ohno Y, Fujisawa Y, Kanata N, Yamaguchi M, Seo Y, Yano Y, Koyama H, Kitajima K, Takenaka D, Sugimura K. Perfusion measurement of the whole upper abdomen of patients with and without liver diseases: initial experience with 320-detector row CT. Eur J Radiol 2011; 81:2470-5. [PMID: 22055684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Revised: 10/10/2011] [Accepted: 10/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To report initial experience of upper abdominal perfusion measurement with 320-detector row CT (CTP) for assessment of liver diseases and therapeutic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-eight patients who were suspected of having a liver disease underwent CTP. There were two patients with liver metastases, two with hemangiomas, and four with cirrhosis (disease group). CTP was repeated for four patients with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after therapy. Hepatic arterial and portal perfusion (HAP and HPP) and arterial perfusion fraction (APF), and arterial perfusion (AP) of pancreas, spleen, stomach, and intra-portal HCC were calculated. For disease-free patients (normal group), the values were compared among liver segments and among pancreatic and gastric parts. The values were compared between groups and before and after therapy. RESULTS No significant differences were found in the normal group except between APFs for liver segments 3 and 5, and fundus and antrum. Mean HAP and APF for the disease group were significantly higher than for the normal group. APF increased after partial splenic embolization or creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. HPP increased and AP of intra-portal HCC decreased after successful radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS 320-Detector row CT makes it possible to conduct perfusion measurements of the whole upper abdomen. Our preliminary results suggested that estimated perfusion values have the potential to be used for evaluation of hepatic diseases and therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Kanda
- Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunokicho, Chuoku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan. k
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Response to treatment series: part 2, tumor response assessment--using new and conventional criteria. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2011; 197:18-27. [PMID: 21701006 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.11.6581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Conventional anatomic imaging biomarkers, including World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), although effective, have limitations. This article will discuss the conventional and newer morphologic imaging biomarkers for the assessment of tumor response to therapy. CONCLUSION Applying established methods of assessing tumor response to therapy allows consistency in image interpretation and facilitates communication with oncologists. Because of the new methods of treatment, assessment of necrosis and volumetric information will need to be incorporated into size-based criteria.
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Kanda T, Yoshikawa T, Ohno Y, Kanata N, Koyama H, Takenaka D, Sugimura K. CT hepatic perfusion measurement: comparison of three analytic methods. Eur J Radiol 2011; 81:2075-9. [PMID: 21802233 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2011] [Revised: 07/03/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy of three analytic methods, maximum slope (MS), dual-input single-compartment model (CM) and deconvolution (DC), for CT measurements of hepatic perfusion and assess the effects of extra-hepatic systemic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-eight patients who were suspected of having metastatic liver tumors underwent hepatic CT perfusion. The scans were performed at the hepatic hilum 7-77 s after administration of contrast material. Hepatic arterial and portal perfusions (HAP and HPP, ml/min/100 ml) and arterial perfusion fraction (APF, %) were calculated with the three methods, followed by correlation assessment. Partial correlation analysis was used to assess the effects on hepatic perfusion values by various factors such as age, sex, risk of cardiovascular diseases, arrival time of contrast material at abdominal aorta, transit time from abdominal aorta to hepatic parenchyma, and liver dysfunction. RESULTS Mean HAP of MS was significantly higher than DC. HPP of CM was significantly higher than MS and CM, and HPP of MS was significantly higher than DC. There was no significant difference in APF. HAP and APF showed significant and moderate correlations among the methods. HPP showed significant and moderate correlations between CM and DC, and poor correlation between MS and CM or DC. All methods showed weak correlations between HAP or APF and age or sex. Finally, MS showed weak correlations between HAP or HPP and arrival time or cardiovascular risks. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic perfusion values arrived at with the three methods are not interchangeable. CM and DC are less susceptible to extra-hepatic systemic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Kanda
- Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunokicho, Chuoku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
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Volumetric arterial enhancement fraction predicts tumor recurrence after hepatic radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases: initial results. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2011; 196:W573-9. [PMID: 21512047 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.10.4410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the volumetric arterial enhancement fraction of the liver with color mapping for the early detection of tumor relapse after hepatic radiofrequency ablation (RFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-three patients (24 men, 29 women; mean age ± SD, 65 ± 10 years) with a total of 215 liver metastases treated by RFA and a mean postinterventional follow-up period of 20 ± 15 (SD) months were included in this retrospective study. Quantitative arterial enhancement fraction color maps of the whole liver were computed from triple-phase contrast-enhanced MDCT images. Follow-up examinations served as the standard of reference. The diagnostic performance of the arterial enhancement fraction color maps to predict subsequent tumor occurrence before tumor was visible on routine multiphase CT images was evaluated. RESULTS The mean arterial enhancement fraction of segments that developed metastases (62% ± 23%) was significantly higher than the mean of segments that did not develop metastases (39% ± 20%) (p < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a probability of 77% for arterial enhancement fraction values to be higher in case of subsequent metastases as compared with liver parenchyma without tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION The arterial enhancement fraction provides incremental value in the imaging surveillance for liver metastases after RFA. Arterial enhancement fraction color maps may be suited to predict tumor recurrence earlier than routine assessment using contrast-enhanced MDCT.
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Haider MA, Farhadi FA, Milot L. Hepatic perfusion imaging: concepts and application. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2011; 18:465-75, x. [PMID: 21094450 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2010.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic perfusion imaging with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an emerging technique for quantitative assessment of diffuse hepatic disease and hepatic lesion blood flow. The principal method that has been used is based on T1 dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging. Perfusion imaging shows promise in the assessment of tumor therapy response, staging of liver fibrosis, and evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma. The future standardization of imaging protocols and MR imaging pulse sequences will allow for broader clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoom A Haider
- Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
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Conversano F, Franchini R, Demitri C, Massoptier L, Montagna F, Maffezzoli A, Malvasi A, Casciaro S. Hepatic vessel segmentation for 3D planning of liver surgery experimental evaluation of a new fully automatic algorithm. Acad Radiol 2011; 18:461-70. [PMID: 21216631 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2010.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 11/15/2010] [Accepted: 11/16/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify the optimal parameter configuration of a new algorithm for fully automatic segmentation of hepatic vessels, evaluating its accuracy in view of its use in a computer system for three-dimensional (3D) planning of liver surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS A phantom reproduction of a human liver with vessels up to the fourth subsegment order, corresponding to a minimum diameter of 0.2 mm, was realized through stereolithography, exploiting a 3D model derived from a real human computed tomographic data set. Algorithm parameter configuration was experimentally optimized, and the maximum achievable segmentation accuracy was quantified for both single two-dimensional slices and 3D reconstruction of the vessel network, through an analytic comparison of the automatic segmentation performed on contrast-enhanced computed tomographic phantom images with actual model features. RESULTS The optimal algorithm configuration resulted in a vessel detection sensitivity of 100% for vessels > 1 mm in diameter, 50% in the range 0.5 to 1 mm, and 14% in the range 0.2 to 0.5 mm. An average area overlap of 94.9% was obtained between automatically and manually segmented vessel sections, with an average difference of 0.06 mm(2). The average values of corresponding false-positive and false-negative ratios were 7.7% and 2.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A robust and accurate algorithm for automatic extraction of the hepatic vessel tree from contrast-enhanced computed tomographic volume images was proposed and experimentally assessed on a liver model, showing unprecedented sensitivity in vessel delineation. This automatic segmentation algorithm is promising for supporting liver surgery planning and for guiding intraoperative resections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Conversano
- Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology Division, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Campus Ecotekne, Lecce, Italy.
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Kanda T, Yoshikawa T, Ohno Y, Kanata N, Koyama H, Nogami M, Takenaka D, Sugimura K. Hepatic computed tomography perfusion: comparison of maximum slope and dual-input single-compartment methods. Jpn J Radiol 2010; 28:714-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s11604-010-0497-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2010] [Accepted: 07/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies quantify the microcirculatory status of liver parenchyma and liver lesions, and can be used for the detection of liver metastases, assessing the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapy, evaluating tumor viability after anti-cancer therapy or ablation, and diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and its severity. In this review, we discuss the basic concepts of perfusion MRI using tracer kinetic modeling, the common kinetic models applied for analyses, the MR scanning techniques, methods of data processing, and evidence that supports its use from published clinical and research studies. Technical standardization and further studies will help to establish and validate perfusion MRI as a clinical imaging modality.
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Thng CH, Hartono S, Koh TS, Koh DM. An Introduction to MR Perfusion Imaging of the Liver. PROCEEDINGS OF SINGAPORE HEALTHCARE 2010. [DOI: 10.1177/201010581001900105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This article introduces the basic principles of magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging of liver and summarized the currently available literature. Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a functional imaging technique that quantifies the microcirculatory status of liver parenchyma and liver lesions such as flow, permeability, fractional intravascular volume and fractional interstitial volume. It potentially allows one to (i) detect liver metastases, (ii) assess effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapy, (iii) assess viable tumour after therapy or ablation, and (iv) diagnose cirrhosis and assess its severity. Further work is required to establish and validate perfusion MRI as a clinical modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon Hua Thng
- Department of Oncologic Imaging, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
| | - Septian Hartono
- Department of Oncologic Imaging, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
| | - Tong San Koh
- Department of Oncologic Imaging, National Cancer Centre, Singapore
| | - Dow Mu Koh
- Department of Radiology, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK
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