First-pass perfusion computed tomography: Initial experience in differentiating adrenal adenoma from metastasis

Objective

To differentiate adrenal adenoma from metastasis in patients using perfusion computed tomography (PCT) imaging.

Methods

Thirty-two patients with adrenal masses underwent first-pass PCT imaging. Of these patients, twenty-one were diagnosed with adrenal adenoma, and the others with metastases. Perfusion maps of blood volume (BV), blood flow (BF), mean transit time (MTT) and permeability surface-area production (PS) were generated with an Advantage Windows workstation using the CT perfusion 3.0 software (General Electric Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI). Histopathologic sections immunostained for CD34 were quantitatively evaluated for microvessel density (MVD).

Results

The perfusion parameters such as BV, BF and PS were statistically significant different between the two groups, with adenomas showing higher mean BV (12.18 versus 3.86), BF (97.51 versus 45.99) and PS (21.73 versus 10.93) compared with metastases (p < 0.05). For BV, a cutoff point of 7.30 was found to have a sensitivity of 95.2% and a specificity of 100% to differentiate between adenoma and metastasis. The sensitivity and specificity were 81.0 and 80.0%, respectively, for BF with a cutoff point of 71.96; and 85.7 and 86.7%, respectively, for PS with a cutoff point of 12.70 to differentiate adenoma and metastasis. A comparison of MVD counts from adenomas with those from metastases showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the four perfusion parameters and MVD between lipid rich and lipid poor adenomas.

Conclusion

PCT may be useful for evaluating the neovascularization of adrenal masses and differentiating adenoma from metastasis on the basis of PCT parameters. Adenomas show higher BV, BF and PS compared with metastases. According our data, the optimal threshold BV is 7.30, resulting in a sensitivity of 95.2% and a specificity of 100% for the differentiation of adenoma from metastasis. Adrenal adenomas have similar hemodynamic profiles, which are apparently independent of the lipid content of an adenoma.     

CT hepatic perfusion measurement: comparison of three analytic methods

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.     

Hepatic computed tomography perfusion: comparison of maximum slope and dual-input single-compartment methods

Purpose  

The aim of the study was to compare two analytical methods—maximum slope (MS) and the dualinput single-compartment model (CM)—in computed tomography (CT) measurements of hepatic perfusion and to assess the effects of extrahepatic systemic factors.     

基于原发性肝癌血流再分布的胰腺灌注变化的CT研究

目的：探讨基于原发性肝癌血流再分布状态下的胰腺血流灌注特点。方法：90例患者按纳入标准分为 A、B、C 三组,其中 A 组（正常对照组）49例,B 组（原发性肝癌组）21例,C 组（原发性肝癌合并门脉癌栓组）20例。所有患者均行常规 CT 平扫和增强扫描以及 CT 灌注成像。测量每例患者胰腺实质的灌注参数值,包括血流量（BF）、血容量（BV）、表面通透性（PS）和平均时间（MTT）。对3组间各灌注参数值的差异进行统计学分析（方差分析法或秩和检验）。结果：A、B、C 三组中胰腺的 BF、BV、PS 和 MTT 的测量值：A 组分别为（159．60±68．14）mL／（100g·min）、（49．00±18．89）mL／100g、（221．52±51．55）mL／（100g·min）和（28．16±7．25）s;B 组依次为（106．48±24．63）mL／（100g·min）、（37．63±21．67）mL／100g、（232．07±78．38）mL／（100g·min）和（30．33±6．83）s;C 组依次为（105．14±26．13）mL／（100g·min）、（39．44±18．65）mL／100g、（212．48±43．53）mL／（100g·min）和（25．78±8．12）s。三组中 A 组的 BF 值与 B、C 组之间的差异具有统计学意义（Z 值分别为－4．428和－4．722,P ＜0．05）;三组间 BV、MTT 和 PS 值的差异无统计学意义（P ＞0．05）。结论：原发性肝癌无论有无门静脉癌栓形成,都可能导致肝脏周围血流再分布并进而影响胰腺的血流灌注,使胰腺的血流量降低;MSCT 灌注成像能较敏感地显示胰腺血流灌注的改变。     

Whole tumour quantitative measurement of first-pass perfusion of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma using 64-row multidetector computed tomography: Correlation with microvessel density

Purpose

To assess correlations between whole tumour first-pass perfusion parameters obtained with 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), and microvessel density (MVD) in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-one consecutive patients with surgically confirmed oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas were enrolled into our study. All the patients underwent whole tumour first-pass perfusion scan with 64-row MDCT. Perfusion parameters, including perfusion (PF), peak enhanced density (PED), blood volume (BV), and time to peak (TTP) were measured using Philips perfusion software. Postoperative tumour specimens were assessed for MVD. Pearson correlation coefficient tests were performed to determine correlations between each perfusion parameter and MVD.

Results

Mean values for PF, PED, BV and TTP of the whole tumour were 28.85 ± 20.29 ml/min/ml, 23.16 ± 8.09 HU, 12.13 ± 5.21 ml/100 g, and 35.05 ± 13.85 s, respectively. Mean MVD in whole tumour at magnification (×200) was 15.75 ± 4.34 microvessel/tumour sample (vessels/0.723 mm²). PED and BV were correlated with MVD (r = 0.651 and r = 0.977, respectively, all p < 0.05). However, PF and TTP were not correlated with MVD (r = 0.070 and r = 0.100, respectively, all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The BV value of first-pass perfusion CT could reflect MVD in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and can be an indicator for evaluating the tumour angiogenesis.     

Multislice computed tomography perfusion imaging for visualization of acute pulmonary embolism: animal experience

The purpose of our animal study was to evaluate a new computed tomography (CT) subtraction technique for visualization of perfusion defects within the lung parenchyma in subsegmental pulmonary embolism (PE). Seven healthy pigs were entered into a prospective trial. Acute PE was artificially induced by fresh clot material prior to the CT scans. Within a single breath-hold, whole thorax CT scans were performed with a 16-slice multidetector-row CT scanner (SOMATOM Sensation 16; Siemens, Forchheim, Germany) before and after intravenous application of 80 ml of contrast medium with a flow rate of 4 ml/s, followed by a saline chaser. The scan parameters were 120 kV and 100 mAs_eff, using a thin collimation of 16×0.75 mm and a table speed/rotation of 15–18 mm (pitch, 1.25–1.5; rotation time, 0.5 s). Axial source images were reconstructed with an effective slice thickness of 1 mm (overlap, 30%). A new automatic subtraction technique was used. After 3D segmentation of the lungs in the plain and contrast-enhanced series, threshold-based extraction of major airways and vascular structures in the contrast images was performed. This segmentation was repeated in the plain CT images segmenting the same number of vessels and airways as in the contrast images. Both scans were registered onto each other using nonrigid registration. After registration both image sets were filtered in a nonlinear fashion excluding segmented airways and vessels. After subtracting the plain CT data from the contrast data the resulting enhancement images were color-encoded and overlaid onto the contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CTA) images. This color-encoded combined display of parenchymal enhancement of the lungs was evaluated interactively on a workstation (Leonardo, Siemens) in axial, coronal and sagittal plane orientations. Axial contrast-enhanced CTA images were rated first, followed by an analysis of the combination images. Finally, CTA images were reread focusing on areas with perfusion deficits indicating PE on the color-coded enhancement display. Subtraction was feasible for all seven studies. In one animal, opacification of the pulmonary arteries was suboptimal owing to heart insufficiency. In the remaining six pigs, a total of 37 perfusion defects were clearly assessable downstream of occluded subsegmental arteries, showing lower or missing enhancement compared with normally perfused lung parenchyma. Indeterminate findings from CTA showed typical PE perfusion defects in four out of six cases on CT subtraction. Additionally, 22 peripheral triangular-shaped enhancement defects were delineated. Nine of these findings were reclassified as definitely being caused by PE on second reading of the CTA data sets. Our initial results have shown that this new subtraction technique for perfusion imaging of PE is feasible, using routine contrast delivery. Dedicated examination protocols are mandatory for adequate opacification of the pulmonary arteries and for optimization of data sets for subsequent subtraction. Perfusion imaging allows a comprehensive assessment of morphology and function, providing more accurate information on acute PE.This paper contains data on behalf of the Amersham Health Research Fellowship Grant, ECR 2003.     

Whole tumour first-pass perfusion using a low-dose method with 64-section multidetector row computed tomography in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose

To propose a low-dose method at tube current-time product of 50 mAs for whole tumour first-pass perfusion of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma using 64-section multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), and to assess the original image quality and accuracy of perfusion parameters.

Materials and methods

Fifty-nine consecutive patients with confirmed oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas were enrolled into our study, and underwent whole tumour first-pass perfusion scan with 64-section MDCT at 50 mAs. Image data were statistically reviewed focusing on original image quality demonstrated by image-quality scores and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios; and perfusion parameters including perfusion (PF, in ml/min/ml), peak enhanced density (PED, in HU), time to peak (TTP, in seconds) and blood volume (BV, in ml/100 g) for the tumour. To test the interobserver agreement of perfusion measurements, perfusion analyses were repeatedly performed.

Results

Original image-quality scores were 4.71 ± 0.49 whereas S/N ratios were 5.21 ± 2.05, and the scores were correlated with the S/N ratios (r = 0.465, p < 0.0001). Mean values for PF, PED, TTP and BV of the tumour were 33.27 ± 24.15 ml/min/ml, 24.06 ± 9.87 HU, 29.42 ± 8.61 s, and 12.45 ± 12.22 ml/100 g, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient between the replicated measurements of each perfusion parameter was greater than 0.99, and mean difference of the replicated measurements of each parameter was close to zero.

Conclusion

Whole tumour first-pass perfusion with 64-section MDCT at low-dose radiation could be reproducible to assess microcirculation in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma without compromising subjective original image quality of the tumour.     

Comparison between perfusion computed tomography and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in assessing glioblastoma microvasculature

PurposePerfusion computed tomography (PCT) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) provide independent measurements of biomarkers related to tumor perfusion. The aim of this study was to compare the two techniques in assessing glioblastoma microvasculature.Materials and methodsTwenty-five patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (14 males and 11 females; 51 ± 11 years old, ranging from 33 to 70 years) were includede in this prospective study. All patients underwent both PCT and DCE-MRI. Imaging was performed on a 256-slice CT scanner and a 3-T MRI system. PCT yielded permeability surface-area product (PS) using deconvolution physiological models; meanwhile, DCE-MRI determined volume transfer constant (K^trans) using the Tofts-Kermode compartment model. All cases were submitted to surgical intervention, and CD105-microvascular density (CD105-MVD) was measured in each glioblastoma specimen. Then, Spearman’s correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were obtained for PS, K^trans and CD105-MVD. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsTumor PS and K^trans values were correlated with CD105-MVD (r = 0.644, P < 0.001; r = 0.683, P < 0.001). In addition, PS was correlated with K^trans in glioblastoma (r = 0.931, P < 0.001). Finally, Bland-Altman plots showed no significant differences between PS and K^trans (P = 0.063).ConclusionPCT and DCE-MRI measurements of glioblastoma perfusion biomarkers have similar results, suggesting that both techniques may have comparable utility. Therefore, PCT may serve as an alternative modality to DCE-MRI for the in vivo evaluation of glioblastoma microvasculature.     

Quantification of hepatic arterial and portal perfusion with dynamic computed tomography: comparison of maximum-slope and dual-input one-compartment model methods

Purpose  The aim of this study was to compare the maximum-slope (MS) and dual-input one-compartment model (DOCM) methods in hepatic perfusion computed tomography (CT). Materials and methods  A total of 37 patients with known or suspected liver disease underwent single-location dynamic CT after arterial or venous bolus injection of contrast material. Perfusion CT images were created by the MS (dividing the peak gradient of the time-attenuation curve by the peak vessel CT number) and DOCM—calculating from the equation dC _L (t)/dt = k _a C _a (t − τ _a ) + k _p C _p (t − τ _p ) − k _v C _L (t)—methods. The perfusion parameters hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP), portal venous perfusion (PVP), and hepatic perfusion index (HPI) were determined. Results  The PVP of the tumor-free hepatic parenchyma determined by the MS method was lower than that obtained by the DOCM method (P < 0.001) with both injections. HAP determined by the MS method was lower than that obtained by the DOCM method with venous injection (P = 0.001), although there was no difference between the methods for HAP with arterial injection (P = 0.154). Most of the perfusion parameters showed linear correlations between the two analytical methods. Conclusion  Except for HAP with arterial injection, the perfusion parameters obtained with the MS method were lower than those obtained with the DOCM method.     

Evaluation of the dual vascular supply patterns in ground-glass nodules with a dynamic volume computed tomography

BACKGROUNDIn recent years, the detection rate of ground-glass nodules (GGNs) has been improved dramatically due to the popularization of low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening with high-resolution CT technique. This presents challenges for the characterization and management of the GGNs, which depends on a thorough investigation and sufficient diagnostic knowledge of the GGNs. In most diagnostic studies of the GGNs, morphological manifestations are used to differentiate benignancy and malignancy. In contrast, few studies are dedicated to the assessment of the hemodynamics, i.e., perfusion parameters of the GGNs. AIMTo assess the dual vascular supply patterns of GGNs on different histopathology and opacities.METHODSForty-seven GGNs from 47 patients were prospectively included and underwent the dynamic volume CT. Histopathologic diagnoses were obtained within two weeks after the CT examination. Blood flow from the bronchial artery [bronchial flow (BF)] and pulmonary artery [pulmonary flow (PF)] as well as the perfusion index (PI) = [PF/(PF + BF)] were obtained using first-pass dual-input CT perfusion analysis and compared respectively between different histopathology and lesion types (pure or mixed GGNs) and correlated with the attenuation values of the lesions using one-way ANOVA, student’s t test and Pearson correlation analysis.RESULTSOf the 47 GGNs (mean diameter, 8.17 mm; range, 5.3-12.7 mm), 30 (64%) were carcinoma, 6 (13%) were atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and 11 (23%) were organizing pneumonia. All perfusion parameters (BF, PF and PI) demonstrated no significant difference among the three conditions (all P > 0.05). The PFs were higher than the BFs in all the three conditions (all P < 0.001). Of the 30 GGN carcinomas, 14 showed mixed GGNs and 16 pure GGNs with a higher PI in the latter (P < 0.01). Of the 17 benign GGNs, 4 showed mixed GGNs and 13 pure GGNs with no significant difference of the PI between the GGN types (P = 0.21). A negative correlation (r = -0.76, P < 0.001) was demonstrated between the CT attenuation values and the PIs in the 30 GGN carcinomas. CONCLUSIONThe GGNs are perfused dominantly by the PF regardless of its histopathology while the weight of the BF in the GGN carcinomas increases gradually during the progress of its opacification.     

低浓度等渗对比剂结合低管电压在兔肝脏CT灌注成像中的可行性研究

目的 探讨低管电压和低浓度等渗对比剂结合迭代算法在家兔肝脏CT灌注成像应用的可行性。方法 健康新西兰大白兔15只,每只兔子分别进行两次肝脏CT灌注检查,两次检查间隔时间为24 h。第1次扫描作为常规组,使用100 kV和370 mg I/ml对比剂,传统滤过反投影法（FBP）重建图像;第2次扫描作为双低组,采用低管电压80 kV和270 mg I/ml对比剂,并采用第3代适应性迭代降噪（AIDR-3D）重建图像。两名医师对获得的肝脏灌注图进行双盲法评分,并比较观察者评分的一致性。对两组的灌注参数值包括肝动脉灌注量（HAP）、门静脉灌注量（PVP）、肝灌注指数（HPI）及全肝灌注量（TLP）值和腹主动脉平均CT值、图像噪声（N）、信噪比（SNR）、对比信噪比（CNR）、图像优良指数（FOM）进行配对样本t检验。计算和比较不同条件下的有效剂量E和碘的摄入量。结果 两组肝灌注图像的主观评分分别为（4.0±0.76）、（4.3±0.62）分,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。两名医师评分的一致性良好（Kappa=0.81,P<0.05）。两组中的PVP、HAP、HPI及TLP值差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。双低组剂量E为19.85 mSv,较常规组的32.43 mSv降低38.79%。双低组总碘量较常规组减低27.03%。结论 使用等渗低浓度对比剂结合低管电压肝脏灌注检查可以在不降低图像质量的前提下明显减低辐射剂量和碘摄入量。     

Analysis of microvascularity after reperfused acute myocardial infarction using the maximum slope method of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze microvas-cularity after reperfused acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using the maximum slope method of contrastenhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CMR and resting (201)T1 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images were obtained in 30 consecutive patients after reperfused AMI and 10 controls. After bolus injection of gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, first-pass CMR images were obtained using the True-FISP sequence. Time-intensity curves were generated by measuring the signal intensity in the myocardium and left ventricle. The arterial input function was obtained from the left ventricular time-intensity curve. On the basis of the maximum slope method, the microvascular index (MVI) was calculated by dividing the maximum initial upslope of the myocardium by the initial upslope of the left ventricle. RESULTS: The MVI was significantly lower in the segments related to the occluded coronary artery. MVIs in segments with (201)Tl uptake of 50%-59% of peak were significantly lower than in those with (201)Tl uptake of 60%-69%. MVIs in segments with (201)Tl uptake of <50% of peak were significantly lower than in those with (201)Tl uptake of 50%-59%. CONCLUSION: This study presents a method that directly assesses microvascularity after reperfused AMI.     

Regadenoson dynamic computed tomography myocardial perfusion using low-dose protocol for evaluation of the ischemic burden. ULYSSES study

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of low-dose dynamic regadenoson computed tomography perfusion (CTP) protocol, and to determine which parameters provide the best diagnostic yield for the presence and burden of ischemia in reference to the magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging (MR MPI).MethodsFifty six patients with ≥1 intermediate (50–90%) coronary artery stenosis on CTA underwent dynamic stress CTP and MR MPI. The distribution of contrast agent in CTP was represented for each myocardial segment as either absolute or indexed: myocardial blood flow (MBF), myocardial blood volume (MBV), perfused capillary blood volume (PCBV), peak value (PV), time to peak (TTP), respectively.ResultsOf 56 patients (25 females, 63.5 ± 8.5y), 15 (27%) were diagnosed with reversible ischemia and 3 (5%) with fixed ischemia on the MR MPI. The median radiation dose for dynamic CTP scan was 352.00 [276.4–496.6] mGy*cm. The optimal cut-off point for the prediction of reversible ischemia on MR MPI for the absolute parameters were: MBF ≤156.49 (AUC=0.899), MBV ≤15.06 (AUC=0.901), PCBV ≤7.90 (AUC=0.880), PV ≤ 88.30 (AUC=0.766), TTP ≥22.58 (AUC=0.595); and for the indexed: indexed MBF ≤0.78 (AUC=0.926), indexed MBV ≤0.81 (AUC=0.924), indexed PCBV ≤0.70 (AUC=0.894); indexed PV ≤ 0.79 (AUC=0.869), indexed TTP ≤0.87 (AUC=0.685). The best parameters for ischemia detection were indexed MBF and indexed MBV, with sensitivities 91% and 89%, specificities 97% and 96%, NPV 99% and 99%, PPV 76% and 69%, and accuracies 96% and 95%, respectively. In per patient analysis, indexed MBF correlated significantly better with the ischemia burden than any of the absolute parameters (p < 0.01 for all comparisons).ConclusionsRegadenoson dynamic CTP using low-dose protocol is feasible while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy. The best diagnostic value may be provided by indexed parameters, of which indexed MBF and indexed MBV may provide best incremental value in identification of the presence and burden of ischemia.     

Measurement of regional changes in myocardial perfusion using dynamic computed tomography and contrast medium

Changes in regional myocardial perfusion were measured using rapid sequence dynamic transmission tomography to detect differences in the initial distribution of contrast medium injected as an intravenous bolus. The experiments were carried out on 8 mongrel dogs instrumented with flow probes and vascular occluders around the coronary arteries. Flow reductions of 50 per cent or more were detected as regions of myocardium with less contrast enhancement than those with normal perfusion. Reactive hyperemia induced by transient ischemia was detected as areas of relatively increased contrast enhancement. These changes could be demonstrated on the images and quantitated using data depicting changes in HU (Hounsfield units) with time to develop an index of perfusion. The images obtained were of satisfactory quality and differences between the underperfused and normal myocardium were made more prominent by using dipyridamole infusions.     

双源CT心肌灌注碘成像与核素心肌灌注显像诊断犬急性心肌梗死的研究

目的 评价双源CT(DSCT)心肌灌注碘成像诊断犬实验性急性心肌梗死的可行性和准确性.方法 6只犬开胸结扎冠状动脉左前降支(LAD)建立心肌梗死模型,另3只仅开胸而不结扎LAD作为对照组,分别于术前及术后3 h行DSCT心肌灌注碘成像扫描,然后行99Tcm-甲氧基异丁异腈(MIBI)SPECT静息态心肌灌注检查.检查结...     

Diagnostic value of the delayed phase image for iso-attenuating pancreatic carcinomas in the pancreatic parenchymal phase on multidetector computed tomography

Purpose

To assess the value of the delayed phase (DP) in pancreatic carcinomas which appear iso-attenuating in the pancreatic parenchymal phase (PPP).

Materials and methods

Fifty-seven preoperative MDCT studies of pancreatic carcinomas were retrospectively reviewed. The size of the tumors, and the Hounsfield unit (HU) of the tumors and pancreatic parenchyma were measured. The tumor-to-pancreas contrast (TPC: |HU [tumor] − HU [normal pancreas]|) was calculated.

Results

Eight cases (14.0%) showed iso-attenuation and 49 showed hypo-attenuation in the PPP. The DP images revealed seven of eight (87.5%) iso-attenuating tumors to be hyper-attenuating. The size of iso-attenuating tumors was smaller than that of hypo-attenuating tumors (mean ± S.D.: 12.4 ± 4.8 mm vs. 30.3 ± 9.0 mm, p < 0.0001). In hypo-attenuating tumors, TPC in the PPP (60.2 ± 24.6 HU) was higher than those in the portal venous phase (PVP, 40.5 ± 23.0 HU, p < 0.0001) and DP (18.3 ± 11.8 HU, p < 0.0001). In contrast, in iso-attenuating tumors, TPC in the DP (26.0 ± 4.9 HU) was higher than those in the PPP (9.2 ± 3.7 HU, p = 0.0003) and PVP (7.1 ± 4.7 HU, p = 0.001) phases.

Conclusion

The DP image is helpful in depicting small iso-attenuating pancreatic carcinomas as slightly hyper-attenuating tumors.     

Influence of intracoronary attenuation on coronary plaque measurements using multislice computed tomography: observations in an ex vivo model of coronary computed tomography angiography

Assessment of attenuation (measured in Hounsfield units, HU) of human coronary plaques was performed using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in an ex vivo model. In three ex vivo specimens of left coronary arteries in oil, MSCT was performed after intracoronary injection of four solutions of contrast material (400 mgI/ml iomeprol). The four solutions were diluted as follows: 1/, 1/200, 1/80, and 1/20. All scans were performed with the following parameters: slices/collimation 16/0.75 mm, rotation time 375 ms. Each specimen was scored for the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. In each plaque the attenuation was measured in four regions of interest for lumen, plaque (non-calcified thickening of the vessel wall), calcium, and surrounding (oil surrounding the vessel). The results were compared with a one-way analysis of variance test and were correlated with Pearsons test. There were no significant differences in the attenuation of calcium and oil in the four solutions. The mean attenuation in the four solutions for lumen (35±10, 91±7, 246±18, 511±89 HU) and plaque (22±22, 50±26, 107±36, 152±67 HU) was significantly different between each decreasing dilution (p<0.001). The mean attenuation of lumen and plaque of coronary plaques showed high correlation, while the values were significantly different (r=0.73; p<0.001). Intracoronary attenuation modifies significantly the attenuation of plaques assessed with MSCT.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic liver disease: functional computed tomography with perfusion imaging in the assessment of tumor vascularization

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to prospectively determine the value of perfusion computed tomography (CT) in the quantitative assessment of tumor-related angiogenesis in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients met all the following inclusion criteria: 1) Child-Pugh class A or B liver cirrhosis; 2) presence of a single lesion suspected as HCC at screening ultrasound examination; and 3) lesion diameter between 1 and 3 cm. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound, pre- and post-contrast triple-phase CT, and perfusion computed tomographic study using multidetector 16-slice CT. Six parameters related to the blood microcirculation and tissue perfusion were measured for the focal liver lesion and cirrhotic parenchyma: perfusion (P), tissue blood volume (BV), hepatic perfusion index (HPI), arterial perfusion (AP), portal perfusion (PP), and time to peak (TTP). Perfusion parameters were described with quartile values of their distribution; univariate paired and unpaired Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: HCC was diagnosed in 21 of the 47 patients; in the remaining 26, HCC was not found at contrast-enhanced ultrasound and multidetector 16-slice computed tomographic study. The values of perfusion parameters measured within tumor tissue were: P (ml/s/100 g): median = 47.0 (first quartile = 36.0, third quartile = 61.4); BV (ml/100 mg): median = 24.0 (first quartile = 18.7, third quartile = 29.3); HPI (%): median = 78.4 (first quartile = 62.9, third quartile = 100); AP (ml/min): median = 45.9 (first quartile = 39.0, third quartile = 60.1); PP (ml/min): median = 9.0 (first quartile = 0.0, third quartile = 24.5); and TTP (seconds): median = 18.7 (first quartile = 16.3, third quartile = 26.5). The corresponding values calculated in cirrhotic surrounding parenchyma were P (ml/s/100 g): median = 11.5 (first quartile = 9.4, third quartile = 13.9); BV (ml/100 mg): median = 10.7 (first quartile = 7.1, third quartile = 14.2); HPI (%): median = 10.6 (first quartile = 8.7, third quartile = 11.9); AP (ml/min): median = 13.2 (first quartile = 10.1, third quartile = 15.5); PP (ml/min) median = 55.2 (first quartile = 40.1, third quartile = 79.5); and TTP (seconds): median = 41.7 (first quartile = 38.9, third quartile = 44.6). P, BV, HPI, and AP values were higher (P < .001), whereas PP and TTP were lower (P < .001) in HCC relative to the surrounding liver. Values of perfusion parameters in the cirrhotic liver of patients with and without HCC were not significantly different (P > .001). CONCLUSION: In cirrhotic patients with HCC, perfusion computed tomographic technique can provide quantitative information about tumor-related angiogenesis.     

犬急性脑栓塞模型的建立及CT灌注成像早期诊断的研究

目的　用介入技术建立一种能用于影像学诊断与溶栓治疗研究的犬急性脑栓塞动物模型 ,并探讨CT灌注成像技术 (CTP)对脑缺血超急性期诊断的应用价值。方法　 10只成年毕格犬 ,抽取犬自体静脉血制作白色血栓。透视下将 4F猎人头导管插至左侧颈内动脉注入血栓 ,分别在栓塞前以及栓塞后即时和 1、2、5h行脑血管造影观察所栓塞血管的通畅情况 ,同时在栓塞后 2h行CTP检查。 2 4h处死动物后取脑组织进行病理检查。结果　 10只犬左侧大脑中动脉全部栓塞成功 ,其中 4只犬合并其他脑血管栓塞 ,至栓塞后 2h造影显示所有被栓塞血管未发生再通 ,5h造影发现 2只犬的栓塞血管出现部分再通。CTP检查发现 9只犬患侧脑局部血流量平均减少为对侧的 4 8.3%± 0 .132 % (33.7%～6 9 .2 % )。CTP与数字减影血管造影诊断比较没有明显的统计学差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。 2 4h后动物均存活 ,未出现严重并发症 ,病理检查证实在深部脑组织皆出现脑梗死病灶。结论　介入栓塞技术建立的犬急性脑栓塞动物模型具有操作简单、创伤小、易存活、栓塞可靠的优点 ,可用于脑梗死的早期诊断及溶栓治疗研究 ;CTP检查可快速、准确、无创地评价犬局部脑缺血模型的脑血流动力学变化     

Correlation of magnetic resonance signal characteristics and perfusion parameters assessed by volume perfusion computed tomography in hepatocellular carcinoma: Impact on lesion characterization

AIMTo find out if magnetic resonance (MR)-signal characteristics of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) correlate with perfusion parameters assessed by volume perfusion computed tomography (VPCT).METHODSFrom October 2009 to January 2014, 26 (mean age, 69.3 years) patients with 36 HCC lesions who underwent both VPCT and MR liver imaging were analysed. We compared signal intensity in the T1w- and T2w-images and wash-in/wash-out kinetics on post-contrast MR images with mean values of blood flow (BF, mL/100 mL per minute), blood volume (BV, mL/100 mL), k-trans (mL/100 mL per minute), arterial liver perfusion (mL/100 mL per minute), portal venous perfusion and hepatic perfusion index (HPI, %) obtained by VPCT. Signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was classified hyper/iso/hypointense compared with surrounding liver parenchyma.RESULTSSignal intensity on native T1w- and T2w-images was hyper/iso/hypo in 4/16/16 and 21/14/1 lesions, respectively. Wash-in and wash-out contrast kinetics were found on MRI in 33 of 36 lesions (91.7%) and 25 of 36 lesions (69.4%), respectively. The latter was observed significantly more often in higher graded lesions (P < 0.005). HPI was 94.7% ± 6.5%. There was no significant relationship between lesion’s MR-signal intensity, MR signal combinations, size and any of the VPCT-perfusion parameters. However HPI was constantly high in all HCC lesions.CONCLUSIONVPCT parameters add limited value to MR-lesion characterization. However in HCC lesions with atypical MR signal characteristics HPI can add a parameter to ensure HCC diagnosis.