"Flat-detector computed tomography perfusion [FD-CTP] could provide a means to measure the cerebral blood volume [BV] at an accuracy comparable to that of CT perfusion examination," Zhi Guo Zhuang told AuntMinnie.com. "Cerebral BV measurements from FD-CTP have been validated in animals and applied in some patients. However, this technique has not been applied to measure liver perfusion."
The group examined 15 cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using CT perfusion and flat-panel CT perfusion before TACE, using a commercial software package (syngo VPCT Body, Siemens Healthcare) for postprocessing. Blood volume was measured both in CTP and flat-panel CTP in tumors and in three regions of interest within the liver parenchyma, extracting the arterial perfusion portion of CTP blood volume from total blood volume.
The team found good correlation between flat-panel blood-volume measurements and CT perfusion blood-volume measurements; however, flat-panel CT blood volume was higher than arterial blood volume in tumor and liver parenchyma (p < 0.001).
"Flat-panel CTP offers the ability to measure objective quantitative changes in perfusion during TACE therapy," Zhuang explained. "The ability of FD-CTP to assess hepatic arterial [blood volume] in the angiographic suite could help to optimize the management of [hepatocellular carcinoma] diagnosis and treatment in the future studies."
