Cancer Imaging (Jul 2022)

Effectuality study of a 3D motion correction algorithm in C-arm CTs of severely impaired image quality during transarterial chemoembolization

  • Lena S. Becker,
  • Cornelia L. A. Dewald,
  • Christian von Falck,
  • Thomas Werncke,
  • Sabine K. Maschke,
  • Roman Kloeckner,
  • Frank K. Wacker,
  • Bernhard C. Meyer,
  • Jan B. Hinrichs

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40644-022-00473-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background To evaluate effectivity of a 3D-motion correction algorithm in C-Arm CTs (CACT) with limited image quality (IQ) during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods From 1/2015–5/2021, 644 CACTs were performed in patients during TACE. Of these, 27 CACTs in 26 patients (18 m, 8f; 69.7 years ± 10.7 SD) of limited IQ were included. Post-processing of the original raw-data sets (CACTOrg) included application of a 3D-motion correction algorithm and bone segmentation (CACTMC_no_bone). Four radiologists (R1-4) compared the images by choosing their preferred dataset and recommending repeat acquisition in case of severe IQ-impairment. R1,2 performed additional grading of intrahepatic vessel visualization, presence/extent of movement artifacts, and overall IQ. Results R1,2 demonstrated excellent interobserver agreement for overall IQ (ICC 0.79,p < 0.01) and the five-point vessel visualization scale before and after post-processing of the datasets (ICC 0.78,p < 0.01). Post-processing caused significant improvement, with overall IQ improving from 2.63 (CACTOrg) to 1.39 (CACTMC_no_bone;p < 0.01) and a decrease in the mean distance of identifiable, subcapsular vessels to the liver capsule by 4 mm (p < 0.01). This proved especially true for datasets with low parenchymal and high hepatic artery contrast. A good interobserver agreement (ICC = 0.73) was recorded concerning the presence of motion artifacts, with significantly less discernible motion after post-processing (CACTOrg:1.31 ± 1.67, CACTMC_no_bone:1.00 ± 1.34, p < 0.01). Of the 27 datasets, ≥ 23 CACTMC_no_bone were preferred, with identical datasets chosen by the readers to show benefit from the algorithm. Conclusion Application of a 3D-motion correction algorithm significantly improved IQ in diagnostically limited CACTs during TACE, with the potential to decrease repeat acquisitions.

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