C E Woodhouse1, D R Ney, J V Sitzmann, E K Fishman. 1. Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical resection of metastatic neoplasms of the liver can prolong survival of patients. The decision to resect a tumor depends to a great extent on the location of lesions relative to hepatic vasculature. Spiral computed tomography arterial portography (SCTAP) is an excellent technique for preoperative localization of tumors. The addition of three-dimensional rendering of image data sets should enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the interpretation of these data by the surgeon. METHODS: Fourteen patients with surgically and pathologically proven solitary and multiple metastatic hepatic neoplasms underwent SCTAP: Volume data sets thus derived were used to produce life-like three-dimensional animated images through a process known as volumetric rendering. These images were presented to the surgeon, who evaluated them based on several criteria. RESULTS: Accurate and clinically useful images were produced routinely in 13 of 14 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical utility of three-dimensional rendering of SCTAP data sets for preoperative localization of hepatic lesions has been shown retrospectively. A larger, prospective study is suggested to demonstrate the accuracy and efficacy of the technique.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical resection of metastatic neoplasms of the liver can prolong survival of patients. The decision to resect a tumor depends to a great extent on the location of lesions relative to hepatic vasculature. Spiral computed tomography arterial portography (SCTAP) is an excellent technique for preoperative localization of tumors. The addition of three-dimensional rendering of image data sets should enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the interpretation of these data by the surgeon. METHODS: Fourteen patients with surgically and pathologically proven solitary and multiple metastatic hepatic neoplasms underwent SCTAP: Volume data sets thus derived were used to produce life-like three-dimensional animated images through a process known as volumetric rendering. These images were presented to the surgeon, who evaluated them based on several criteria. RESULTS: Accurate and clinically useful images were produced routinely in 13 of 14 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical utility of three-dimensional rendering of SCTAP data sets for preoperative localization of hepatic lesions has been shown retrospectively. A larger, prospective study is suggested to demonstrate the accuracy and efficacy of the technique.