Preoperative assessment of focal liver lesions: multidetector computed tomography challenges magnetic resonance imaging

2005 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Numminen ◽  
H. Isoniemi ◽  
J. Halavaara ◽  
P. Tervahartiala ◽  
H. Mäkisalo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Multidetector Computed Tomography ◽  
Intraoperative Ultrasound ◽  
Preoperative Assessment ◽  
Liver Lesion ◽  
Lesion Detection ◽  
Extrahepatic Disease ◽  
Focal Liver Lesions ◽  
Liver Lesions

Purpose: To investigate prospectively multidetector computed tomography (CT) (MDCT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI) in the preoperative assessment of focal liver lesions. Material and Methods: Multiphasic MDCT and conventional gadolinium‐enhanced MRI were performed on 31 consecutive patients prior to hepatic surgery. All images were blindly analyzed as consensus reading. Lesion counts and their relation to vascular structures and possible extrahepatic disease were determined. The data from the MDCT and MRI were compared with the results obtained by intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) and palpation. Histopathologic verification was available. Results: At surgery, IOUS and palpation revealed 45 solid liver lesions. From these, preoperative MDCT detected 43 (96%) and MRI 35 (78%) deposits. MDCT performed statistically better than MRI in lesion detection ( P = 0.008). Assessment of lesion vascular proximity was correctly determined by MDCT in 98% of patients and by MRI in 87%. Statistical difference was found ( P = 0.002). IOUS and palpation changed the preoperative surgical plan as a result of extrahepatic disease in 8/31 (26%) cases. In MDCT as well in MRI extrahepatic involvement was suspected in two cases. Conclusion: MDCT was superior to MRI and nearly equal to IOUS in liver lesion detection and in the determination of lesion vascular proximity. However, both techniques fail to reliably detect extrahepatic disease.

The value of preoperative computed tomography combined with ultrasound in the investigation of small indeterminate liver lesions in patients with colorectal cancer

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 1288-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirna Abraham-Nordling ◽  
Emma Öistämö ◽  
Thomas Josephson ◽  
Fredrik Hjern ◽  
Lennart Blomqvist
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Liver Metastases ◽  
Liver Lesion ◽  
Liver Cyst ◽  
Focal Liver Lesion ◽  
Focal Liver Lesions ◽  
Liver Lesions ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Work Up

Background Computed tomography (CT) is used routinely for the preoperative detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases. When small indeterminate focal liver lesions are detected that are too small to characterize (TSTC) on CT, additional imaging is usually needed, resulting in a potential delay in obtaining a complete diagnostic work-up. Purpose To determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound (US) of the liver performed in direct conjunction to CT in the preoperative investigation among patients with newly diagnosed CRC when indeterminate liver lesions were found on CT. Material and Methods Preoperative investigations with CT and consecutive US where CT had shown at least one focal liver lesion in 74 patients diagnosed with CRC between June 2009 and February 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Either histopathological findings or a combination of imaging and clinical follow-up one to three years after surgery was used as the reference. Results Liver metastases were diagnosed with CT/US in 13 out of 74 patients (17.6%). In one patient, a liver cyst was preoperatively regarded as liver metastasis by a combined CT/US. The sensitivity and specificity for the CT with consecutive US procedure was 100% (13/13) and 98.4% (60/61). Conclusion US performed in conjunction with CT in patients with indeterminate focal liver lesions on CT is an accurate work-up for detection of liver metastases in patients with newly diagnosed CRC. Although our results are promising, they cannot be considered safely generalizable to all hospitals.

scholarly journals Can optimized model-based iterative reconstruction improve the contrast of liver lesions in CT?

2022 ◽  
pp. 028418512110701
Author(s):  
Jonas Oppenheimer ◽  
Keno Kyrill Bressem ◽  
Fabian Henry Jürgen Elsholtz ◽  
Bernd Hamm ◽  
Stefan Markus Niehues
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Iterative Reconstruction ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Liver Lesion ◽  
Lesion Detection ◽  
Focal Liver Lesions ◽  
Reconstruction Method ◽  
Liver Lesions ◽  
Low Contrast ◽  
Model Based

Background Computed tomography is a standard imaging procedure for the detection of liver lesions, such as metastases, which can often be small and poorly contrasted, and therefore hard to detect. Advances in image reconstruction have shown promise in reducing image noise and improving low-contrast detectability. Purpose To examine a novel, specialized, model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) technique for improved low-contrast liver lesion detection. Material and Methods Patient images with reported poorly contrasted focal liver lesions were retrospectively reconstructed with the low-contrast attenuating algorithm (FIRST-LCD) from primary raw data. Liver-to-lesion contrast, signal-to-noise, and contrast-to-noise ratios for background and liver noise for each lesion were compared for all three FIRST-LCD presets with the established hybrid iterative reconstruction method (AIDR-3D). An additional visual conspicuity score was given by two experienced radiologists for each lesion. Results A total of 82 lesions in 57 examinations were included in the analysis. All three FIRST-LCD algorithms provided statistically significant increases in liver-to-lesion contrast, with FIRSTMILD showing the largest increase (40.47 HU in AIDR-3D; 45.84 HU in FIRSTMILD; P < 0.001). Substantial improvement was shown in contrast-to-noise metrics. Visual analysis of the lesions shows decreased lesion visibility with all FIRST methods in comparison to AIDR-3D, with FIRSTSTR showing the closest results ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Objective image metrics show promise for MBIR methods in improving the detectability of low-contrast liver lesions; however, subjective image quality may be perceived as inferior. Further improvements are necessary to enhance image quality and lesion detection.

Is multidetector computed tomography comparable to magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of lumbar foraminal stenosis?

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-203
Author(s):  
Woo Young Kang ◽  
Joong Mo Ahn ◽  
Joon Woo Lee ◽  
Eugene Lee ◽  
Yun Jung Bae ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Multidetector Computed Tomography ◽  
Excellent Agreement ◽  
Observer Agreement ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Foraminal Stenosis ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis

Background Both multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used for assessment of lumbar foraminal stenosis (LFS). Therefore, it is relevant to assess agreement between these imaging modalities. Purpose To determine intermodality, inter-, and intra-observer agreement for assessment of LFS on MDCT and MRI. Material and Methods A total of 120 foramina in 20 patients who visited our institution in January and February 2014 were evaluated by six radiologists with different levels of experience. Radiologists evaluated presence and severity of LFS on sagittal CT and MR images according to a previously published LFS grading system. Intermodality agreement was analyzed by using weighted kappa statistics, while inter- and intra-observer agreement were analyzed by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and kappa statistics. Results Overall intermodality agreement was moderate to good (kappa, 0.478–0.765). In particular, two professors and one fellow tended to overestimate the degree of LFS on CT compared with MRI. For inter-observer agreement of all six observers, ICCs indicated excellent agreement for both CT (0.774) and MRI (0.771), while Fleiss’ kappa values showed moderate agreement for CT (0.482) and MRI (0.575). There was better agreement between professors and fellows compared with residents. For intra-observer agreement, ICCs indicated excellent agreement, while kappa values showed good to excellent agreement for both CT and MRI. Conclusion MDCT was comparable to MRI for diagnosis and assessment of LFS, especially for experienced observers. However, there was a tendency to overestimate the degree of LFS on MDCT compared with MRI.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document