Computed Tomography–Guided Tumor Ablation: Analysis and Optimization of Computed Tomography Technique With Various Ablation Devices

Purpose: Ablation device-associated computed tomography beam hardening artifacts can make tumor margin visualization and its relationship to the ablation applicator tip challenging. Determine optimal scanning conditions for currently-used applicators. Materials and Methods: Eleven applicators were placed in ex vivo cow livers with implanted mock tumors, surrounded by bolus gel. Various computed tomography scans were performed at 440 mA with 5 mm thickness changing kVp (80, 100, 120, 140), scan time (0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 2.0 seconds), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR) (30, 60, 90), scan type (helical, axial), pitch (0.5, 0.94, 1.37, 1.75), and reconstruction algorithm (soft, standard, lung). Two radiologists blindly scored the images for image quality and artifact quantitatively. Results: Cool-tip single (CTS) RF electrode (Covidien) performed significantly better than all other devices in both perceived image quality and artifact while Boston Scientific 4.0 RF electrode (Boston Scientific) underperformed (all P
Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography - Category: Radiology Tags: Abdominal Imaging Source Type: research