1 Technical Efficacy Stage: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1003-1012.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text

No abstract

No abstract

Weixiang Shi and Ying He should both be regarded as first authors.Objective: This meta-analysis aims to analyze the usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for posttreatment responses evaluation of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management. Methods: Literature retrieval in three databases PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library was conducted up to September 2015, with pre-defined criteria. The technical success rate, local tumour recurrence and local tumour progression were the measurement indexes. Cochran's Q test and I 2 were used for heterogeneity detection. Subgroup analyses were performed for complete ablation rate stratified by study designs, contrast agents and post-operative testing time points. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata® 12.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). Results: 12 studies consisting of 772 patients were included in this study. The CEUS-evaluated success rate of RFA for HCCs was 91%. The proportion of ablative margin ,5 mm was 53%. The local tumour recurrence rate and local tumour progression rate were 4% and 8%, respectively. Subgroup analysis indicated that the CEUS-assessed technical success rate with Sonazoid™ (Daiichi-Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan) as the contrast agent was higher (95%) than those with other agents [SH U 508A (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) 86%; SonoVue (Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy) 87%]. The success rate assessed within 24 h (94%) after treatment was higher than longer time (1-3 days 86%; 1 month 91%). Conclusion:The meta-analysis showed that the CEUSevaluated success rate of RFA for HCCs was 91%. The local tumour recurrence rate and local tumour progression rate were 4% and 8%, respectively. Advances in knowledge: Using meta-analysis, the study provided more reliable assessment of usefulness of CEUS, which could provide guidelines for HCC treatment.

No abstract

No abstract

ObjectiveMultislice computed tomography (MSCT) has been used for diagnosis of small intestinal diseases. However, the radiation dose is a big problem. This study was to investigate whether CARE Dose 4D combined with sinogram‐affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) can provide better image quality at a lower dose for imaging small intestinal diseases compared to MSCT.MethodsThe noise reduction ability of SAFIRE was assessed by scanning the plain water mold using SOMATOM Definition Flash double‐source spiral CT. CT images at each stage of radiography for 239 patients were obtained. The patients were divided into groups A and B were based on different tube voltage and current or the image recombination methods. The images were restructured using with filtered back projection (FBP) and SAFIRE (S1–S5). The contrast noise ratio (CNR), CT Dose index (CTDI), subjective scoring, and objective scoring were compared to obtain the best image and reformation parameters at different stages of CT.ResultsTwenty‐six restructuring patterns of tube voltage and current were obtained by FBP and SAFIRE. The average radiation dose using CARE Dose 4D combined with SAFIRE (S4–S5) reduced approximately 74.85% compared to conditions where the tube voltage of 100 kV and tube current of 131 mAs for patients with MSCT small intestinal CT enterography at plain CT scan, arterial stage, small intestine, and portal venous phase. The objective and subjective scoring were all significantly different among groups A and B at each stage.ConclusionsCombination of CARE Dose 4D and SAFIRE is shown to decrease the radiation dose while maintaining image quality.