3D CT modeling of hepatic vessel architecture and volume calculation in living donated liver transplantation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate a software tool for non-invasive preoperative volumetric assessment of potential donors in living donated liver transplantation (LDLT). Biphasic helical CT was performed in 56 potential donors. Data sets were post-processed using a non-commercial software tool for segmentation, volumetric analysis and visualisation of liver segments. Semi-automatic definition of liver margins allowed the segmentation of parenchyma. Hepatic vessels were delineated using a region-growing algorithm with automatically determined thresholds. Volumes and shapes of liver segments were calculated automatically based on individual portal-venous branches. Results were visualised three-dimensionally and statistically compared with conventional volumetry and the intraoperative findings in 27 transplanted cases. Image processing was easy to perform within 23 min. Of the 56 potential donors, 27 were excluded from LDLT because of inappropriate liver parenchyma or vascular architecture. Two recipients were not transplanted due to poor clinical conditions. In the 27 transplanted cases, preoperatively visualised vessels were confirmed, and only one undetected accessory hepatic vein was revealed. Calculated graft volumes were 1110 +/- 180 ml for right lobes, 820 ml for the left lobe and 270 +/- 30 ml for segments II+III. The calculated volumes and intraoperatively measured graft volumes correlated significantly. No significant differences between the presented automatic volumetry and the conventional volumetry were observed. A novel image processing technique was evaluated which allows a semi-automatic volume calculation and 3D visualisation of the different liver segments.

Automated segmentation and quantification of liver and spleen from CT images using normalized probabilistic atlases and enhancement estimation

“…A comprehensive review of CT-based liver segmentation techniques was done by Campadelli et al, 32 describing additional methods that employed live wire, [33][34][35][36] gray-level analysis, 32,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] neural networks, [45][46][47][48] model fitting, [49][50][51] level sets, 52 and probabilistic atlases. [53][54][55][56] Campadelli et al highlighted respective advantages and drawbacks that limit the use of such techniques in the clinic.…”

Volumetria hepática computadorizada como método de avaliação e acompanhamento da regeneração hepática após hepatectomia parcial em suínos

“…Frericks et al 16 analisaram a volumetria hepática em suínos comparando-a ao deslocamento de água provocado pelo fígado suíno e os dados adquiridos por tomografia axial computadorizada. A conclusão do estudo não revelou diferença estatística entre os métodos.…”

CT Scan of Pediatric Liver Tumors

“…The development and rapid clinical acceptance of single-detector helical (spiral) computed tomography (HCT) during the last decade and, more recently, the introduction of multidetector CT (MDCT) have resulted in significantly improvements of the ability to study the liver. In addition to technical advances, such as shorter scanning times, multiplanar imaging, and improved ability to perform multiphasic contrast-enhanced studies, newer and better intravenous contrast media and advances in postacquisition data processing techniques have renewed the enthusiasm for using hepatic CT scanning (Kinoshita et al,2009;Frericks et al,2004). (Fig.8) Before the application of the three-dimensional imaging with spiral CT, angiography was the most common imaging approach to determine tumor location and relation to blood vessels.…”