利用3D打印颅脑辐射等效体模进行个性化适形放疗的剂量验证

目的 建立利用3D打印颅脑辐射等效体模对患者进行个性化放疗剂量验证的方法,为三维适形放射治疗安全提供一种可靠的剂量保证手段。方法 采集两例患者（患者1和患者2）的CT图像数据,基于患者1的图像数据,重建其颅骨与脑组织,制作颅脑体模,验证颅骨与脑组织的等效材料。基于患者2的图像数据,根据3D图像重建并选用组织等效材料重建完全的头颅结构,采用3D打印技术制作全头颅体模。通过对目标区域插入电离室剂量仪并行放射治疗方案,获得头颅体模病灶部的剂量,验证和校准实际放疗计划的安全性。结果 对所获两个体模分别进行DR、CT成像,颅脑体模的等效骨骼与患者1骨骼的X射线灰度值差异为13 721,颅脑体模的等效脑组织与患者1的脑组织的CT值差异为35~40 HU,全头颅体模等效颞肌与患者2的颞肌组织的CT值差异为18~28 HU,影像数据表明体模材质的辐射等效性与人体组织近似,并且等效剂量分布符合常规治疗范围,体模的剂量验证可以有效验证放疗计划系统的准确性。结论 基于3D打印和组织等效技术所设计的个性化放疗体模,可应用于个性化放射治疗验证。体模制作方法简单快速,个性化程度高,为三维适形放射治疗安全提供一种可靠的剂量保证手段。     

基于12和16 bit CT图像的金属伪影校正对放疗剂量分布的影响

目的 利用金属伪影去除技术去除基于12 bit和16 bit CT图像中金属植入物伪影,分析其对图像CT值分布和放疗剂量分布的影响。方法 将金属棒插入模体中,CT扫描得到12和16 bit原始CT图像,运用归一化伪影去除法（NMAR）分别对所得到的原始CT图像进行去伪影处理,得到NMAR修正后图像。临床中选取人工股骨头患者CT图像,对其进行同样处理。比较分析各图像伪影去除前后CT值分布。在放疗计划系统中,基于各图像设计放射治疗计划,计算剂量分布,比较分析各图像的剂量分布差异。结果 12 bit图像中金属CT值为3 071 HU,远小于金属实际CT值11 080 HU;16 bit图像中金属CT值为11 098 HU,与实际值很接近。原始CT图像在金属周围含有大量伪影,CT值与参考图像CT值偏差很大;NMAR校正后图像伪影显著减少,CT值与参考图像较接近。NMAR修正后16 bit图像的剂量分布与参考图像最接近,中心轴上最大剂量偏差为1.8%;12 bit图像与参考图像在金属后方剂量差异很大,最大剂量偏差为81.6%。射线穿过原始图像伪影区域后导致剂量分布与参考图像有明显差异,引起最大剂量偏差达21.6%。结论 含有金属植入物时,基于16 bit图像进行NMAR伪影校正可以得到准确的CT值分布,从而得到准确的剂量分布。     

滑轨CT图像引导技术在胸中上段食管癌放疗中的应用研究

目的 将滑轨CT图像引导技术应用于胸中上段食管癌放疗,计算在线CT图像引导和非在线CT引导这两种因素各自的靶区外扩边距。方法 100例胸中上段食管癌计划进行调强放疗的患者,每次放疗前进行CT扫描并与计划CT图像配准比较分析,获得分次间摆位误差数据,并在线修正;根据系统选样法选取50例患者,增加治疗后的CT扫描以分析修正后的误差、治疗中的位移、分次内肿瘤（GTV）位移。结果 与非在线CT图像引导相比,采用在线CT图像引导使得靶区外扩边距在左右、头脚、腹背方向由8.8、9.1和6.1 mm降低到4.1、4.5和4.3 mm。结论 应用在线 CT 图像引导能显著提高靶区精准度,缩小靶区外扩边距。     

基于盆腔迭代锥形束CT图像的剂量学可行性分析

目的 研究利用盆腔迭代锥形束CT（CBCT）图像用于治疗计划剂量计算的可行性分析，为自适应放疗提供图像保障。方法 使用Varian Halcyon 2.0环形加速器对CIRS 062 M模体（CIRS，Norfolk，VA，USA）进行扫描，测量其不同散射条件下的CT值并计算其平均值，建立锥形束CT-电子密度转换曲线（iterative Cone-beam CT to electron density，ICBCT-ED）。采集CIRS 002PRA盆腔调强专用模体的CT和不同位置的ICBCT图像，设计基于CT图像的VMAT计划，移植至ICBCT图像上，重新进行剂量计算，比较靶区、危及器官及三维体积剂量γ通过率的差异。以患者实际治疗计划为基准，回顾性分析10例盆腔患者全流程三维剂量γ通过率的差异。结果 无散射体的孤立模式与全散射中心位置的CT值偏差较大，最大偏差144 HU。其他全散射位置与中心位置CT值相近，最大偏差<50 HU。基于盆腔模体不同位置处的ICBCT图像的计算结果，无论靶区还是危及器官的剂量偏差均<1 Gy。与基于CT图像的计划相比，基于ICBCT图像的三维剂量γ通过率1%/1 mm和2%/2 mm的平均值分别为（88.86±1.18）%和（98.38±0.89）%。10例盆腔肿瘤患者2%/2 mm和3%/3 mm的平均值范围分别为90.03%~95.43%和93.58%~97.78%。最差结果为膀胱过充盈引起的外轮廓变化造成的剂量差异，2%/2 mm和3%/3 mm的三维剂量通过率仅为85.90%和92.90%。结论 在足够的散射条件下，重建ICBCT-ED转换曲线，利用Halcyon直线加速器的ICBCT图像进行治疗计划设计，其精度是可以满足临床应用的标准的，为将来的自适应放疗提供了保障。     

质子和碳离子治疗中CT值与相对阻止本领转换曲线的测量

目的 利用计算机断层扫描设备（CT）及质子重离子装置测量组织等效模体CT值与其对应的相对阻止本领转换曲线。方法 CT值与粒子阻止本领转换曲线在一定程度上决定了剂量计算的准确性。利用12个组织等效模体材料,经计算机断层扫描,获得其对应CT值,再利用质子重离子射线装置的质子、碳离子束流测量这些模体的相对阻止本领,从而获得CT值与质子、碳离子相对阻止本领转换曲线。结果 除肺等效模体以外,其他组织等效模体利用质子和碳离子束流测量得到的相对阻止本领之间的差异≤0.64%。结论 针对质子和碳离子束流,分别建立了基于等效模体测量的CT值-相对阻止本领转换曲线。     

基于形变配准的鼻咽癌调强放射治疗计划剂量学研究

目的 探讨形变配准技术在鼻咽癌患者治疗过程中靶区、正常组织的几何改变及相应的剂量学改变。方法 选取12例采用IMRT-SIB治疗的鼻咽癌患者,针对首次定位CT制定放疗计划为计划1(CT1), 治疗20~25次后,针对复位CT制定放疗计划为计划2(CT2)。将 CT1中的剂量分布形变配准至图像CT2上,为计划1(CT2);同时将患者CT1中25次治疗剂量和 CT2中的剩余5次治疗剂量进行剂量叠加,为计划1+2(CT2)。比较计划1(CT1)、计划1(CT2)和计划1+2(CT2)中的剂量分布。结果 图像CT2和CT1相比,右侧和左侧腮腺体积明显缩小(24.6±11.9)%、(35.1±20.1)%。与计划1 (CT1)相比,在计划1 (CT2)中靶区(D₉₅)和PGTV、PTV2(Dmean)明显降低,计划1+2 (CT2)中数据表明,如果25次后修改计划会提高靶区剂量。在12例患者中有5例患者如果不重新修改计划则脑干脊髓受量会超过剂量限制,如果修改计划则会降低。结论 鼻咽癌患者在治疗中靶区及腮腺体积有明显缩小,重新定位修改计划可确保靶区足够剂量,并且使危及器官受量控制在安全范围之内。     

鼻咽癌调强放疗中实施同一计划对剂量的影响

目的 探讨鼻咽癌调强放疗过程中实施同一治疗计划的可行性。方法 选10例采用调强放射治疗的鼻咽癌患者,用Pinnacle³制定IMRT计划。在患者放疗中期重新行CT定位扫描,把基于初次定位CT图像所做的IMRT计划复制到重新定位CT图像上,使得照射野参数保持一致,测得基于两套图像计划中的肿瘤靶区、脊髓、脑干和腮腺的受量。统计在整个放疗过程中如果实施同一计划,患者靶区及各器官的剂量变化率。结果 两组计划相比,等中心层面外轮廓左右和前后长度平均缩小8%、3%。靶区PTV₁(D₉₅)减少0.6%~5.3%;放疗中期和放疗前相比右侧和左侧腮腺体积分别缩小13.1%~41.4%、12.0%~49.0%;右侧和左侧腮腺平均剂量增加5.6%~45.1%、3.3%~32.2%;脊髓最大剂量变化为-4.1%~13.9%;脑干剂量变化为-3.9%~9.3%。结论 对于采用鼻咽癌调强放射治疗的患者,在不考虑摆位误差的影响因素下,由于靶区及正常组织显著变化等因素影响有重新定位修改计划的必要性。     

左侧乳腺癌根治术后调强放疗中剂量累加的研究

目的 通过形变配准及刚性配准进行左侧乳腺癌放疗中靶区及危及器官剂量累加的研究,探讨二者受量的变化规律。方法 回顾分析16例女性左侧乳腺癌根治术后患者,靶区包括锁上淋巴结引流区加胸壁,均采用6 MV X射线调强放疗（IMRT）。所有患者均接受定位、二程CT扫描,在定位图像（CT1）上制定放疗计划为Plan1,在二程定位图像（CT2）上制定放疗计划为Plan2。利用Velocity软件将Plan2的剂量进行刚性、形变配准到CT1剂量累加后获得Plan-rigid、Plan-deform。比较4个计划中靶区及危及器官的剂量学差异。结果 CT2比CT1的CTV体积平均缩小6.64%;形变后靶区剂量均匀性指数（HI）提高23.05%,而形变后心脏、左、右肺戴斯相似系数（DSC）均低于形变前（0.94±0.01 vs.0.89±0.05、0.96±0.01 vs.0.91±0.03、0.96±0.01 vs.0.92±0.03）,且差异均有统计学意义（Z=-3.208、-3.533、-3.535,P<0.05）;心脏及左肺各剂量-体积指标在Plan2、Plan-rigid、Plan-deform与Plan1的组间差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）;在Plan-rigid组各剂量-体积指标均高于Plan-deform组。结论 靶区及危及器官体积、剂量-体积指标变化较小的左乳癌根治术后患者在进行放疗剂量累加时,推荐使用刚性配准,且初次调强计划的剂量-体积指标可基本反映双肺及心脏的受量情况。     

重复CT模拟定位分析肿瘤体积变化对鼻咽癌调强放疗的影响

目的 利用重复CT模拟定位分析肿瘤体积变化对鼻咽癌调强放疗的影响。 方法 选取2011年7月至2012年11月期间20例鼻咽癌调强放疗的患者,于放疗前进行首次CT模拟定位,放疗中在患者接受30 Gy剂量照射时进行重复CT模拟定位扫描。在治疗计划系统将首次扫描的CT图像与重复扫描的CT图像进行融合,计算GTV体积的退缩率;在重复CT图像上利用原计划重新计算剂量分布,根据剂量体积直方图,分别计算出危及器官脑干和脊髓的受量变化。 结果 重复CT模拟定位比较首次CT模拟定位GTV体积平均退缩率为28.7%。重复CT模拟定位比首次CT模拟定位脑干和脊髓的单次最大剂量、1 cm³体积的剂量和平均剂量的百分比均有所增加(t=0.83~3.17,P<0.05)。 结论 利用重复CT模拟定位发现,鼻咽癌调强放疗患者在接受30 Gy剂量照射时,GTV体积的退缩率较明显,进而导致危及器官剂量的增加。     

碳离子放射治疗泪囊泪腺肿瘤的剂量学研究

目的 比较碳离子治疗泪囊泪腺肿瘤相对于光子放疗的剂量学差异。方法 利用上海市质子重粒子医院治疗的10例术后残留的泪囊腺肿瘤患者CT图像,重新制定碳离子计划,光子容积调强计划（VMAT）与固定野光子调强计划（IMRT）,所有患者处方均为给予临床靶区54 Gy相对生物学效能（RBE）/18次,并给予临床加量靶区同步加量至63 Gy（RBE）/18次。在计划靶区覆盖相似情况下,比较正常组织受量。结果 在计划靶区覆盖差异无统计学意义的情况下,与光子VMAT和与IMRT相比,碳离子计划患侧与健侧的眼球平均剂量、视神经近似最大剂量（D_2%）与平均剂量均降低（患侧：t=7.35、3.79、4.66、8.48、2.52、2.76,P<0.05;健侧：t=3.87、10.49、9.16、4.43、6.53、5.12,P<0.05）;脑组织平均剂量由（5.65±3.58）和（5.76±2.09）Gy（RBE）降至（0.81±0.90）Gy（RBE）,差异具有统计学意义（t=6.76、17.33,P<0.05）。结论 与光子VMAT与IMRT相比,碳离子计划能有效降低泪囊泪腺肿瘤周围视觉器官受照体积与剂量,具有降低放疗不良反应的潜在优势。     

Effects of lipiodol retention on MRI signal intensity from hepatocellular carcinoma and surrounding liver treated by chemoembolization

Opinion is divided regarding the influence of iodized oil on MRI signal intensity of hepatic tumours treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), in which lipiodol deposits. The aim of our study was to ascertain whether or not lipiodol directly influences the MRI signal intensity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by TACE and that of the surrounding liver. Thirteen patients with HCC were studied retrospectively. CT and MRI scans were performed both before and 3 months after TACE. The CT scan was performed to check whether embolized nodules contained lipiodol and how lipiodol was distributed within them. In addition, eight patients were examined prospectively within 7 days after TACE. In these patients a CT scan was performed to see how lipiodol was distributed in the neoplastic nodules and in normal hepatic parenchyma. In the first group of patients the contrast-to-noise (C/N) ratio on T1-weighted (T1W) images and the T2 relaxation time on T2-weighted (T2W) images were calculated for both neoplasm and surrounding liver. In the second group of patients we also measured the signal intensity of non-neoplastic liver that was either permeated or not permeated by lipiodol. The data were analysed with Wilcoxon's test. On T1W images we observed that the retention of lipiodol increased the C/N ratio in all the tumours studied within 1 week after TACE. In the patients studied 3 months after TACE the C/N ratio was not significantly increased. On T2W images lipiodol retention did not change tumour signal intensity. The iodized oil did not change the signal intensity of the liver surrounding the tumour, in comparison with the liver not permeated by lipiodol, on either T1W or T2W images. The results indicate that lipiodol does not modify the signal intensity in non-neoplastic hepatic parenchyma in which it is deposited; after 3 months it does not significantly affect the signal of the tumours that accumulated it. Lipiodol produces a high signal on T1W images over the first few days following TACE in those tumours in which it is deposited. Received 21 June 1995; Revision received 22 January 1996; Accepted 24 January 1996     

不同CT值赋值法对脑转移瘤放疗剂量计算影响的研究

目的研究不同CT值赋值法对脑转移瘤放疗计划剂量计算的影响,为基于磁共振(MR)图像进行放疗计划设计提供基础。方法选取35例接受放疗的脑转移瘤患者,每位患者在放疗前同一天分别进行CT和MR模拟定位,基于CT图像制定三维适形放射治疗(3D-CRT)或调强放射治疗(IMRT)计划为原计划Plan1。将CT图像和MR图像刚性配准,在CT和MR图像上勾画主要的组织和器官,计算各组织器官的群体化CT值。基于CT图像,采用3种CT值赋值法生成3组伪CT,分别为:全组织赋予140 HU;空腔、骨骼和软组织分别赋予-700、700和20 HU;不同组织器官分别赋予群体化的CT值。Plan1在3组伪CT上重新计算剂量分布,分别获得Plan2、Plan3、Plan4,然后比较这3组计划和Plan1的剂量学差异。结果骨骼、空腔平均CT值分别为(735.3±68.0)、(-723.9±27.0)HU,软组织的平均CT值基本分布在-70~70 HU。Plan2、Plan3、Plan4相比Plan1的剂量差异依次减小,在剂量指标比较中,眼晶状体最大剂量差异最大,分别可达5.0%以上、1.5%~2.0%、1.0%~1.5%,其余剂量指标差异的95%置信区间上限基本不超过2.0%、1.2%、0.8%。在像素点剂量比较中,局部靶区病例中差异>1%的区域主要分布在靠近射野的皮肤处,而全脑靶区病例中主要分布在骨骼与空腔、软组织交界处,以及靠近射野的皮肤处。此外,CT值赋值法在3D-CRT的剂量学差异大于IMRT,在全脑靶区病例大于局部靶区病例。结论不同CT值赋值法对脑转移瘤放疗计划剂量计算的影响显著,对骨骼、空腔和软组织赋予合适CT值,剂量计算偏差可基本控制于1.2%以内,而对各组织器官赋予群体化的CT值,可进一步将偏差控制于0.8%以内,满足临床要求。     

Sodium Cholate Bile Acid-Stabilized Ferumoxytol-Doxorubicin-Lipiodol Emulsion for Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PurposeTo develop bile acid-stabilized multimodal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT)-visible doxorubicin eluting lipiodol emulsion for transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and MethodsFerumoxytol, a US Food and Drug Administration-approved iron oxide nanoparticle visible under MR imaging was electrostatically complexed with doxorubicin (DOX). An amphiphilic bile acid, sodium cholate (SC), was used to form a stable dispersion of ferumoxytol-DOX complex in lipiodol emulsion. Properties of the fabricated emulsion were characterized in various component ratios. Release kinetics of DOX were evaluated for the chemoembolization applications. Finally, in vivo multimodal MR imaging/CT imaging properties and potential therapeutic effects upon intra-arterial (IA) infusion bile acid-stabilized ferumoxytol-DOX-lipiodol emulsion were evaluated in orthotopic McA-Rh7777 HCC rat models.ResultsDOX complexed with ferumoxytol through electrostatic interaction. Amphiphilic SC bile acid at the interface between the aqueous ferumoxytol-DOX complexes and lipiodol enabled a sustained DOX release (17.2 ± 1.6% at 24 hours) at an optimized component ratio. In McA Rh7777 rat HCC model, IA-infused emulsion showed a significant contrast around tumor in both T2-weighted MR imaging and CT images (P = .044). Hematoxylin and eosin and Prussian blue staining confirmed the local deposition of IA-infused SC bile acid-stabilized emulsion in the tumor. The deposited emulsion induced significant increases in TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) stain-positive cancer cell apoptosis compared to those in a group treated with the nonstabilized emulsion.ConclusionsSC bile acid-stabilized ferumoxytol-DOX-lipiodol emulsion demonstrated sustained drug release and multimodal MR imaging/CT imaging capabilities. The new lipiodol-based formulation may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemoembolization in HCC.     

双能量CT虚拟单能量重建技术显示肝癌TACE术后碘油沉积的价值

目的：探讨双能量CT虚拟单能量重建技术对肝癌经导管动脉化疗栓塞（TACE）术后碘油沉积的临床诊断价值。方法：对11例肝癌TACE术后患者进行双能量腹部CT平扫。在100 kVp、140 kVp、线性融合图像（M＝0．5）和以9组虚拟单能量（40、60、80、100、120、140、160、180和190 keV）图像上,在碘油沉积最显著的层面,测量伪影区及正常肝实质区的CT值,计算图像噪声（SD）和伪影指数（AI）。对伪影大小、图像噪声、碘油形态及综合图像质量分别进行主观评分。结果：客观评估：80 keV 图像的AI 值最小;线性融合图像、80 keV 图像的噪声最小。主观评估：在140 kVp、100～190 keV图像上伪影较少;线性融合图像和80 keV 图像的噪声评分最小;碘油形态以140 kVp、线性融合图像、80及100 keV图像上显示较为清晰。整体综合评分以线性融合图像和80 keV图像最高。结论：双能量CT 虚拟单能量重建技术在肝癌TACE术后碘油沉积的显示中,可以改善图像质量,以80 keV的虚拟单能量重建图像为最佳。     

Quantitative Assessment of Lipiodol Deposition after Chemoembolization: Comparison between Cone-Beam CT and Multidetector CT

PurposeTo evaluate the ability of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) performed directly after transarterial chemoembolization to assess ethiodized oil (Lipiodol) deposition in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and compare it with unenhanced multidetector computed tomography (CT).Materials and MethodsConventional transarterial chemoembolization was used to treat 15 patients with HCC, and CBCT was performed to assess Lipiodol deposition directly after transarterial chemoembolization. Unenhanced multidetector CT was performed 24 hours after transarterial chemoembolization. Four patients were excluded because the margin of tumor or area of Lipiodol deposition was unclear. The image enhancement density of the entire tumor and liver parenchyma was measured by ImageJ software, and tumor-to-liver contrast (TLC) was calculated. In addition, volumetric measurement of tumor and Lipiodol was performed by semiautomatic three-dimensional volume segmentation and compared using linear regression to evaluate consistency between the two imaging modalities.ResultsThe mean value of TLC on CBCT was not significantly different from TLC on multidetector CT (337.7 HU ± 233.5 vs 283.0 HU ± 152.1, P = .103).The average volume of the whole tumor and of only the regions with Lipiodol deposition and the calculated average percentage of Lipiodol retention on CBCT were not significantly different compared with multidetector CT (tumor volume, 9.6 cm³ ± 11.8 vs 10.8 cm³ ± 14.2, P = .142; Lipiodol volume, 6.3 cm³ ± 7.7 vs 7.0 cm³ ± 8.1, P = .214; percentage of Lipiodol retention, 68.9% ± 24.0% vs 72.2% ± 23.1%, P = .578). Additionally, there was a high correlation in the volume of tumor and Lipiodol between CBCT and multidetector CT (R² = 0.919 and 0.903).ConclusionsThe quantitative image enhancement and volume analyses demonstrate that CBCT is similar to multidetector CT in assessing Lipiodol deposition in HCC after transarterial chemoembolization.     

TACE联合CT导向下125I放射性粒子植入治疗肝癌

目的探讨经皮导管动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）联合CT导向下^125I放射性粒子植入治疗肝癌的方法。方法16例接受过碘油柃塞治疗的患者术前均行CT扫描,根据扫描结果制订术前计划,确定放射性粒子植入数量及位置,勾画肿瘤靶区时应超出碘油沉积范围0．5～1．0cm,^125I粒子平均能量27～35keV。结果27例患者中完全缓解2例,部分缓解16例,无变化6例,进展3例,总有效率66．7％。术后6个月随访,除1例死于远处转移外,其余患者均生存。结论TACE联合CT导向下^125I碘放射性粒子植入是治疗肝癌的安全有效的方法。     

Transcatheter CT Arterial Portography and CT Hepatic Arteriography for Liver Tumor Visualization during Percutaneous Ablation

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of combining transcatheter computed tomography (CT) arterial portography or transcatheter CT hepatic arteriography with percutaneous liver ablation for optimized and repeated tumor exposure.Materials and MethodsStudy participants were 20 patients (13 men and 7 women; mean age, 59.4 y; range, 40–76 y) with unresectable liver-only malignancies—14 with colorectal liver metastases (29 lesions), 5 with hepatocellular carcinoma (7 lesions), and 1 with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (2 lesions)—that were obscure on nonenhanced CT. A catheter was placed within the superior mesenteric artery (CT arterial portography) or in the hepatic artery (CT hepatic arteriography). CT arterial portography or CT hepatic arteriography was repeatedly performed after injecting 30–60 mL 1:2 diluted contrast material to plan, guide, and evaluate ablation. The operator confidence levels and the liver-to-lesion attenuation differences were assessed as well as needle-to-target mismatch distance, technical success, and technique effectiveness after 3 months.ResultsTechnical success rate was 100%; there were no major complications. Compared with conventional unenhanced CT, operator confidence increased significantly for CT arterial portography or CT hepatic arteriography cases (P < .001). The liver-to-lesion attenuation differences between unenhanced CT, contrast-enhanced CT, and CT arterial portography or CT hepatic arteriography were statistically significant (mean attenuation difference, 5 HU vs 28 HU vs 70 HU; P < .001). Mean needle-to-target mismatch distance was 2.4 mm ± 1.2 (range, 0–12.0 mm). Primary technique effectiveness at 3 months was 87% (33 of 38 lesions).ConclusionsIn patients with technically unresectable liver-only malignancies, single-session CT arterial portography–guided or CT hepatic arteriography–guided percutaneous tumor ablation enables repeated contrast-enhanced imaging and real-time contrast-enhanced CT fluoroscopy and improves lesion conspicuity.     

Spectral CT Imaging–Based Quantification of Iodized Oil Retention following Chemoembolization: Phantom and Animal Studies

PurposeTo evaluate accuracy of iodine quantification using spectral CT and the potential of quantitative iodized oil analysis as an imaging biomarker of chemoembolization.Materials and MethodsA phantom of an artificial liver with 6 artificial tumors containing different amounts of iodized oil (0–8 vol%) was scanned by spectral CT, and iodized oil density (mg/mL) and Hounsfield unit (HU) values were measured. In addition, VX2 hepatoma was induced in 23 rabbits. After chemoembolization using iodized oil chemoemulsion, the rabbits were scanned by spectral CT. The accumulation of iodized oil in the tumor was quantified in terms of iodized oil density and HUs, and the performances in predicting a pathologic complete response (CR) were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.ResultsThe mean difference between true iodine densities and spectral image–based measurements was 0.5 mg/mL. Mean HU values were highly correlated with mean iodine density (r² = 1.000, P < .001). In the animal study, a pathologic CR was observed in 17 of 23 rabbits (73.9%). The range of area under the curve values of iodine and HU measurements was 0.863–0.882. A tumoral iodine density of 3.57 mg/mL, which corresponds to 0.7 vol% iodized oil in the tumor, predicted a pathologic CR with a sensitivity of 70.6% and a specificity of 100.0%.ConclusionsSpectral CT imaging has a potential to predict tumor responses after chemoembolization by quantitatively assessing iodized oil in targets.