Impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt implantation on liver perfusion measured by volume perfusion CT

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt: Devices Evolution, Technical Tips and Future Perspectives

Portal hypertension (PH) constitutes a pivotal factor in the progression of cirrhosis, giving rise to severe complications and a diminished survival rate. The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure has undergone significant evolution, with advancements in stent technology assuming a central role in managing PH-related complications. This review aims to outline the progression of TIPS and emphasizes the significant influence of stent advancement on its effectiveness. Initially, the use of bare metal stents (BMSs) was limited due to frequent dysfunction. However, the advent of expanding polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent grafts (ePTFE-SGs) heralded a transformative era, greatly enhancing patency rates. Further innovation culminated in the creation of ePTFE-SGs with controlled expansion, enabling precise adjustment of TIPS diameters. Comparative analyses demonstrated the superiority of ePTFE-SGs over BMSs, resulting in improved patency, fewer complications, and higher survival rates. Additional technical findings highlight the importance of central stent placement and adequate stent length, as well as the use of smaller calibers to reduce the risk of shunt-related complications. However, improving TIPS through technical means alone is inadequate for optimizing patient outcomes. An extensive understanding of hemodynamic, cardiac, and systemic factors is required to predict outcomes and tailor a personalized approach. Looking forward, the ongoing progress in SG technology, paired with the control of clinical factors that can impact outcomes, holds the promise of reshaping the management of PH-related complications in cirrhosis.

Balloon-compression endoscopic injection sclerotherapy versus transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for esophageal variceal rebleeding

BACKGROUND

In cirrhotic patients, recurrent bleeding after the first episode of esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) is common and lethal. The present study was aimed to compare balloon-compression endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (bc-EIS) with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for the prophylaxis of variceal rebleeding.

METHODS

Between June 2020 and September 2022, 81 cirrhotic patients with EVB (42 in the bc-EIS group and 39 in the TIPS group) were evaluated retrospectively. The occurrence of rebleeding, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) or other complications, as well as liver functions and survival rate were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

During the 12 months of follow-up, variceal eradication was achieved in 40 (95.24%) patients of the bc-EIS group after a mean of 1.80 ± 0.94 sessions. TIPS was successfully performed in 39 (100%) patients. No significant difference in the variceal rebleeding rate was observed between bc-EIS and TIPS groups (16.67 vs. 17.95%; p = 0.111). While the bc-EIS group showed significantly decreased incidence of HE (2.38 vs. 17.95%; p < 0.001) and lower level of total bilirubin (p < 0.05) in comparison with the TIPS group. The difference in mortality between the two groups failed to reach statistical significance (0.00 vs. 7.69%; p = 0.107).

CONCLUSION

Bc-EIS is not inferior to TIPS in the survival and control of variceal rebleeding, but associated with decreased risk of HE and liver dysfunction.

Computed tomography perfusion in differentiating portal hypertension: A correlation study with hepatic venous pressure gradient

BACKGROUND

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold standard for diagnosis of portal hypertension (PH), invasiveness and potential risks in the process of measurement limited its widespread use.

AIM

To investigate the correlation of computed tomography (CT) perfusion parameters with HVPG in PH, and quantitatively assess the blood supply changes in liver and spleen parenchyma before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).

METHODS

Twenty-four PH related gastrointestinal bleeding patients were recruited in this study, and all patients were performed perfusion CT before and after TIPS surgery within 2 wk. Quantitative parameters of CT perfusion, including liver blood volume (LBV), liver blood flow (LBF), hepatic arterial fraction (HAF), spleen blood volume (SBV) and spleen blood flow (SBF), were measured and compared before and after TIPS, and the quantitative parameters between clinically significant PH (CSPH) and non-CSPH (NCSPH) group were also compared. Then the correlation of CT perfusion parameters with HVPG were analyzed, with statistical significance as P < 0.05.

RESULTS

For all 24 PH patients after TIPS, CT perfusion parameters demonstrated decreased LBV, increased HAF, SBV and SBF, with no statistical difference in LBF. Compared with NCSPH, CSPH showed higher HAF, with no difference in other CT perfusion parameters. HAF before TIPS showed positive correlation with HVPG (r = 0.530, P = 0.008), while no correlation was found in other CT perfusion parameters with HVPG and Child-Pugh scores.

CONCLUSION

HAF, an index of CT perfusion, was positive correlation with HVPG, and higher in CSPH than NCSPH before TIPS. While increased HAF, SBF and SBV, and decreased LBV, were found after TIPS, which accommodates a potential non-invasive imaging tool for evaluation of PH.

The role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: Recent evolution and open questions

In selected patients with cirrhosis and ascites, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement improves control of ascites and may reduce mortality. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge concerning the use of TIPS for the treatment of ascites in patients with cirrhosis, from pathophysiology of ascites formation to hemodynamic consequences, patient selection, and technical issues of TIPS insertion. The combination of these factors is important to guide clinical decision-making and identify the best strategy for each individual patient. There is still a need to identify the best timing for TIPS placement in the natural history of ascites (recurrent vs. refractory) as well as which type and level of renal dysfunction is acceptable when TIPS is proposed for the treatment of ascites in cirrhosis. Future studies are needed to define the optimal stent diameter according to patient characteristics and individual risk of shunt-related side effects, particularly hepatic encephalopathy and insufficient cardiac response to hemodynamic consequences of TIPS insertion.

The Relationship and Changes of Liver Blood Supply, Portal Pressure Gradient, and Liver Volume following TIPS in Cirrhosis

AIM

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) alters the liver blood supply and reduces portal pressure. This study was to investigate the changes and associations of the hepatic blood flow, liver volume, and portal pressure gradient (PPG) after TIPS in liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with liver cirrhosis who received TIPS were recruited. The contrast CT images were used to assess the iodine density (ID) of liver parenchymal and liver volume. The ID of the liver parenchyma was used to reflect hepatic blood flow. We used a paired t-test and regression analysis to investigate the effect of TIPS on hepatic blood flow, liver volume, and PPG in individuals with cirrhosis and the factors that affect changes in liver volume.

RESULTS

After TIPS, there was a significant improvement in the ID of liver parenchyma at arterial phase (AP) and PPG in individuals with cirrhosis (P < 0.05). Each 1 unit increase in the ID change of whole liver parenchyma at the venous phase (VP) was significantly associated with a 269.44 cm³ increase in the liver volume after TIPS (b = 269.44, P = 0.012). With an increasing ID change of whole liver parenchyma at VP, the change in liver volume followed an increasing trend (P for overall association = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that there was a significant improvement in hepatic blood flow, especially at AP, after TIPS and the change in hepatic blood supply from the portal vein is positively associated with the change in liver volume after TIPS. Increasing the blood supply to the liver from the portal vein may improve the reduction of liver volume.

Computed tomography perfusion in liver and spleen for hepatitis B virus-related portal hypertension: A correlation study with hepatic venous pressure gradient

BACKGROUND

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold standard for diagnosis of portal hypertension (PH). However, its use can be limited because it is an invasive procedure. Therefore, it is necessary to explore a non-invasive method to assess PH.

AIM

To investigate the correlation of computed tomography (CT) perfusion of the liver with HVPG and Child-Pugh score in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related PH.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients (4 female, 24 male) with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding induced by HBV-related PH were recruited in our study. All patients received CT perfusion of the liver before transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPS) therapy. Quantitative parameters of CT perfusion of the liver, including liver blood flow (LBF), liver blood volume (LBV), hepatic artery fraction, splenic blood flow and splenic blood volume were measured. HVPG was recorded during TIPS therapy. Correlation of liver perfusion with Child-Pugh score and HVPG were analyzed, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed. Based on HVPG (> 12 mmHg vs ≤ 12 mmHg), patients were divided into moderate and severe groups, and all parameters were compared.

RESULTS

Based on HVPG, 18 patients were classified into the moderate group and 10 patients were classified into the severe group. The Child-Pugh score, HVPG, LBF and LBV were significantly higher in the moderate group compared to the severe group (all P < 0.05). LBF and LBV were negatively associated with HVPG (r = -0.473, P < 0.05 and r = -0.503, P < 0.01, respectively), whereas splenic blood flow was positively associated with hepatic artery fraction (r = 0.434, P < 0.05). LBV was negatively correlated with Child-Pugh score. Child-Pugh score was not related to HVPG. Using a cutoff value of 17.85 mL/min/100 g for LBV, the sensitivity and specificity of HVPG ≥ 12 mmHg for diagnosis were 80% and 89%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

LBV and LBF were negatively correlated with HVPG and Child-Pugh scores. CT perfusion imaging is a potential non-invasive quantitative predictor for PH in HBV-related liver cirrhosis.

Occult Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated With Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts in Liver Transplant Recipients

Transplant eligibility for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is determined by the imaging identification of tumor burden within the Milan criteria. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(s) (TIPS) reduce portal hypertension but may impact HCC visualization. It was hypothesized that the presence of pretransplant TIPS would correlate with occult HCC and reduced survival. A single-center, retrospective, case control study was performed among liver transplant recipients with HCC (2000-2017). The primary endpoint was occult disease on explant pathology. Backward stepwise logistic regression was performed. The secondary endpoints disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Of 640 patients, 40 had TIPS and more frequently exhibited occult disease (80.0% versus 43.1%; P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 4.16; P < 0.001). Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) similarly correlated with occult disease (OR, 1.97; P = 0.02). Explant tumor burden was equivalent between TIPS subgroups; accordingly, TIPS status was not independently associated with reduced DFS or OS. However, exceeding the Milan criteria was associated with reduced DFS (hazard ratio, 3.21; P = 0.001), and TIPS status in patients with a single suspected lesion (n = 316) independently correlated with explant tumor burdens beyond these criteria (OR, 13.47; P = 0.001). TIPS on pretransplant imaging are associated with occult HCC on explant pathology. Comparable occult disease findings in patients with PVT suggest that the mechanism may involve altered hepatic perfusion, obscuring imaging diagnosis. TIPS are not independently associated with reduced DFS or OS but are associated with exceeding the Milan criteria for patients with a single suspected lesion. The presence of TIPS may necessitate a higher index of suspicion for occult HCC.

Hepatic parenchyma and vascular blood flow changes after TIPS with spectral CT iodine density in HBV-related liver cirrhosis

To compare changes in spectral CT iodine densities of hepatic parenchyma and vessels before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis. Twenty-five patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis who received TIPS for gastroesophageal varices bleeding were recruited. Each patient underwent three phases contrast CT before and after TIPS within 4 weeks, with the raw data reconstructed at 1.25-mm-thick slices. Iodine density (in milligrams per milliliter) was measured on iodine-based material decomposition image. Multiple regions of interest (ROIs) in liver parenchyma, aorta and portal vein were selected from three slices of images. Portal vein trunk was set as the central one, and mean liver parenchymal iodine densities from arterial phase (AP), venous phase (VP) and equilibrium phase (EP) were recorded. Quantitative indices of iodine density (ID), including normalized ID in liver parenchyma for arterial phase (NIDLAP), ID of liver parenchyma for venous phase (IDLVP), ID of portal vein in venous phase (IDPVP) and liver arterial iodine density fraction (AIF), were measured and compared before and after TIPS. Based on Child–Pugh stage, 4, 12 and 9 patients were classified as grade A, B, and C, respectively. Liver volume was comparable before and after TIPS (1110.5 ± 287.4 vs. 1092.0 ± 276.3, P = 0.28). After TIPS, ID was decreased in aorta (146.0 ± 34.5 vs. 120.9 ± 30.7, P < 0.01) whereas increased in liver parenchyma at arterial phase, as demonstrated by IDAP (9.3 ± 3.1 vs. 13.4 ± 4.4 mg/mL) and AIF (0.40 ± 0.11 vs. 0.58 ± 0.11, P < 0.01). For venous or equilibrium phase, quantitative indices remained stable (23.1 ± 4.5 vs. 23.0 ± 5.3, 19.8 ± 4.1 vs. 19.4 ± 4.6) mg/mL (Ps > 0.05). For portal vein, ID and NID were increased after TIPS (23.1 ± 11.7 vs. 36.5 ± 13.0, 16.4 ± 8.5 vs. 31.8 ± 12.8) (P < 0.01). No positive correlation between iodine density and preoperative Child–Pugh score was observed. Based on iodine density measurement, spectral CT as a noninvasive imaging modality may assess hepatic parenchyma and vascular blood flow changes before and after TIPS in HBV-related liver cirrhosis.

Clinical registration number: ChiCTR- DDC-16009986.

Effects of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt using the Viatorr stent on hepatic reserve function in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

As transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation alters the hemodynamic status of the portal system, whether reduced portal blood supply affects the synthetic reserve function of the liver has been the focus of clinical attention. Since the Viatorr stent entered the Chinese market in 2015, it has not yet been widely used in clinical practice. Further, unlike other countries, the main cause of liver cirrhosis in China is viral hepatitis. Therefore, use of the Viatorr stent to establish a TIPS channel in patients with liver cirrhosis with differing etiologies is of great clinical interest.

AIM

To investigate factors affecting changes in liver reserve function after TIPS Viatorr stent implantation.

METHODS

Clinical data from 200 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who received TIPS treatment from March 2016 to March 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups (A-C), according to their disease etiology, with post-hepatitis, autoimmune, and alcoholic cirrhosis, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative liver and renal function and coagulation data, Child-Pugh grade, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using the t-test or chi-square test. The incidence and of hepatic encephalopathy and patient survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The surgical success rate was 100%, with mean portal pressure gradient (mmHg) decreasing from 25.5 ± 5.22 to 10.04 ± 2.76 (t = 45.80; P < 0.001). After 24 mo, the cumulative incidence of hepatic encephalopathy in group A was significantly lower than that in group B/C, while the cumulative survival rate was significantly higher in group A than in group B/C (P < 0.05 for both). The Child-Pugh score for group A was 6.96 ± 1.21, which was significantly better than those of groups B (7.42 ± 0.99; t = -2.44; P = 0.016) and C (7.52 ± 1.12; t = -2.67; P = 0.009). Further, the MELD score for group A (9.62 ± 2.19) was significantly better than those for groups B (10.64 ± 1.90; t = -2.92; P = 0.004) and C (10.82 ± 2.01; t = -3.29; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Insertion of 8 mm internal diameter Viatorr stent has no significant effects on liver reserve function. Changes of liver reserve function in the medium and long term may be related to the etiology and treatment of portal hypertension.

Alteration of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) can treat portal hypertensive complications and modifies hepatic hemodynamics. Modification of liver perfusion can alter contrast enhancement dynamics of liver nodules. This study investigated the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis with TIPS. In this prospective monocentric observational study, CEUS was used to characterize focal liver lesions in patients at risk for HCC with and without TIPS. Times of arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) und washout were quantified. Perfusion-index (PI) and resistance-index (RI) of hepatic artery and portal venous flow parameters were measured via doppler ultrasonography. Diagnostic gold standard was MRI/CT or histology. This study included 49 liver lesions [23 TIPS (11 HCC), 26 no TIPS (15 HCC)]. 26 were diagnosed as HCC by gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity of CEUS to diagnose HCC with and without TIPS were 93.3% and 100% vs. 90.9% and 93.3%, respectively. APHE appeared significantly earlier in patients with TIPS compared to patients without TIPS. TIPS significantly accentuates APHE of HCC in CEUS. CEUS has good diagnostic performance for diagnosis of HCC in patients with TIPS.

A pilot study of low-dose CT perfusion imaging (LDCTPI) technology in patients with triple-negative breast cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate associations between the clinicopathologic features and CT perfusion parameters of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-TNBC using low-dose computed tomography perfusion imaging (LDCTPI), and to find potential clinical applications in the prognosis assessment of TNBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 patients with breast cancer confirmed by pathological examination were studied prospectively using LDCTPI on a 64-slice spiral CT scanner. The acquired volume data were used for calculations, mapping, and analysis by using a tumor perfusion protocol in the CT perfusion software package to measure 2 parameters namely, blood flow (BF), and permeability surface (PS) area product. Patients were grouped into TNBC (n = 27) and non-TNBC (n = 33) subtypes. Associations between these two subtypes and clinicopathologic characteristics were evaluated by both univariate and multivariate logistic regression. CT perfusion parameters values were compared for clinicopathologic characteristics using independent 2-sample t test.

RESULTS

TNBC displayed higher CT perfusion parameters values (BF: 57.56±10.94 vs 52.70±7.79 mL/100 g/min, p = 0.006; PS: 38.98±9.46 vs 33.39±8.07 mL/100 g/min, p = 0.001) than non-TNBC. In addition, breast cancer with poorly histologic grade or positive Ki-67 expression showed higher BF and PS values than those with well and moderately histologic grade or negative Ki-67 expression (p < 0.05). TNBC had poorer histologic grade (P = 0.032) and higher Ki-67 expression (P = 0.013) than non-TNBC.

CONCLUSION

LDCTPI is a functional imaging technology from the perspective of hemodynamics with potential of clinical applications. The BF and PS values were higher in TNBC patient group than non-TNBC group. TNBC patients also have poorer clinicopathologic outcome.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) dysfunction: quantitative assessment of flow and perfusion changes using 2D-perfusion angiography following shunt revision

PURPOSE

To analyze the feasibility of 2D-perfusion angiography (2D-PA) to quantify flow and perfusion changes pre- and post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) revision.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen consecutive patients (54 ± 14 years, seven men and eight women) scheduled for TIPS revision were included in this study. To quantify flow and perfusion changes caused by TIPS revision, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) series acquired during the revision were post-processed using a dedicated software. Reference region-of-interest (ROI) in the main portal vein (input function) and target ROIs in the TIPS lumen, the liver parenchyma and in the right atrium were placed in corresponding areas on DSA pre- and post-TIPS revision. 2D-PA evaluation included time to peak (TTP), peak density (PD), and the area under the curve (AUC) assessment. The ratios of reference ROI to target ROIs pre- and post-TIPS revision were calculated (TTP_parenchyma/TTP_inflow, PD_parenchyma/PD_inflow, AUC_parenchyma/AUC_inflow, TTP_TIPS/TTP_inflow, PD_TIPS/PD_inflow, AUC_TIPS/AUC_inflow, TTP_atrium/TTP_inflow, PD_atrium/PD_inflow, and AUC_atrium/AUC_inflow). Pressure measurements pre- and post-TIPS revision were performed and correlated to the 2D-PA parameters. Reproducibility of 2D-PA was assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

The portosystemic pressure gradient was significantly reduced following TIPS revision (17.1 ± 6.3 vs. 8.9 ± 4.3 mmHg; p < 0.0001). PD_TIPS/PD_inflow (0.22 vs. 0.35; p = 0.0014) and AUC_TIPS/AUC_inflow (0.24 vs. 0.39; p = 0.0012) increased significantly. Likewise, PD_atrium/PD_inflow (0.32 vs. 0.78; p = 0.0004) and AUC_atrium/AUC_inflow (0.3 vs. 0.79; p < 0.0001) increased, whereas PD_parenchyma/PD_inflow decreased significantly (0.14 vs. 0.1; p = 0.0084). Pressure gradient changes correlated significantly with the increase in PD_atrium/PD_inflow (r = - 0.77, p = 0.0012) and AUC_atrium/AUC_inflow (r = - 0.76, p = 0.0018). ICC of the 2D-PA parameters was in the range of 0.88-0.99.

CONCLUSION

2D-PA offers a feasible approach to quantify flow and perfusion changes during TIPS revision. Therefore, 2D-PA may be a valuable amendment to mere pressure measurements.

Venographic Analysis of Portal Flow After TIPS Predicts Future Shunt Revision

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate a new method-the portal vein enhancement curve-for quantifying portal vein blood flow immediately at transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation using digital subtraction angiography images and its potential usefulness as a predictor of TIPS revision.

CONCLUSION

The portal vein flow time constant, Q_τ, was significantly different (p = 0.002) between patients grouped by 12-month revision (TIPS angioplasty, TIPS reduction, no revision); Q_τ was higher in patients who required TIPS reduction.

A clinical application of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) in patients with variously differentiated breast ductal carcinoma

PURPOSE

To explore the hemodynamic characteristics of variously differentiated breast ductal carcinoma (BDC) using the dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) based CT perfusion imaging (CTPI), including the specific perfusion parameter values, and to identify potential clinical applications in the cell differentiation degree of BDC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty patients with breast ductal carcinoma confirmed by needle puncture biopsy were studied prospectively using CTPI on a 64-slice spiral CT scanner. The acquired volume data were used for calculations, mapping, and analysis by using a tumor perfusion protocol in the CT perfusion software package to measure 4 parameters namely, blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and the permeability surface (PS) area product. The different differentiated BDC with CT perfusion parameters were divided into 3 groups of high, moderate and poor differentiation. The comparison among these groups were then made using statistical data analysis software.

RESULTS

The patients were categorized into three groups of 12, 13, and 15 highly, moderately and poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma cases, respectively. Comparing the perfusion parameters values of the three groups, BF, BV, and PS values increased from highly to poorly differentiated BDC cases. Differences between the highly and moderately or poorly differentiated groups were all statistically significant for BF, BV, and PS values (p < 0.05), while MTT value showed no statistical difference among the three groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CTPI is a functional imaging technology from the perspective of hemodynamics with potential clinical applications. Three parameters of BF, BV and PS values have potential to serve as indicators of the cell differentiation degree of the breast ductal carcinoma.

An application study of low-dose computed tomography perfusion imaging (LDCTPI) in breast cancer and breast fibroadenoma

PURPOSE

To explore the characteristics of breast cancer and breast fibroadenoma using low-dose computed tomography perfusion imaging (LDCTPI) including specific perfusion parameter values, and seek the potential clinical applications in cancer prognosis assessment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients including 30 diagnosed with breast cancer and 20 with breast fibroadenoma, as well as 15 control subjects with normal breasts were studied prospectively using LDCTPI examinations. The acquired volumetric imaging data were used for calculation, mapping and analysis by using a body tumor perfusion protocol in the CT perfusion software to measure 4 parameters: blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), and the permeability surface (PS) area product. Statistical data analysis was then performed to distinguish the difference of the 4 parameter values among normal control, breast cancer and breast fibroadenoma cases.

RESULTS

The mean perfusion values of 15 normal controls were as follows: BF, 20.03±4.08 mL/100 g/min; BV, 4.53±0.95 mL/100 g; MTT, 5.90±0.82 s; and PS, 9.25±1.18 mL/100 g/min. The mean perfusion values of 30 cancer patients were as follows: BF, 56.67±6.59 mL/100 g/min; BV, 5.82±0.68 mL/100 g; MTT, 6.01±0.82 s; and PS, 24.95±5.05 mL/100 g/min. The mean perfusion values of 20 patients with breast fibroadenoma were as follows: BF, 46.24±6.65 mL/100 g/min; BV, 5.07±0.73 mL/100 g; MTT, 7.51±0.62 s; and PS, 16.73±6.48 mL/100 g/min. Comparing the 3 groups, differences were all statistically significant for BF, BV, MTT and PS values (p < 0.05, respectively); The BF, BV, PS values were highest in group of cancer patients, while the MTT value was highest in group of patients diagnosed with breast fibroadenoma.

CONCLUSION

Breast CT perfusion imaging is a promising functional imaging technology in breast cancer diagnosis, which can provide valuable quantitative imaging markers to assist evaluation of breast tumors.