Deriving the intrahepatic arteriovenous shunt rate from CT images and biochemical data instead of from arterial perfusion scintigraphy in hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2009 Sep;32(5):946-51. doi: 10.1007/s00270-009-9603-x. Epub 2009 May 30.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate a method for predicting the intrahepatic arteriovenous shunt rate from computed tomography (CT) images and biochemical data, instead of from arterial perfusion scintigraphy, because adverse exacerbated systemic effects may be induced in cases where a high shunt rate exists. CT and arterial perfusion scintigraphy were performed in patients with liver metastases from gastric or colorectal cancer. Biochemical data and tumor marker levels of 33 enrolled patients were measured. The results were statistically verified by multiple regression analysis. The total metastatic hepatic tumor volume (V(metastasized)), residual hepatic parenchyma volume (V(residual); calculated from CT images), and biochemical data were treated as independent variables; the intrahepatic arteriovenous (IHAV) shunt rate (calculated from scintigraphy) was treated as a dependent variable. The IHAV shunt rate was 15.1 +/- 11.9%. Based on the correlation matrixes, the best correlation coefficient of 0.84 was established between the IHAV shunt rate and V(metastasized) (p < 0.01). In the multiple regression analysis with the IHAV shunt rate as the dependent variable, the coefficient of determination (R (2)) was 0.75, which was significant at the 0.1% level with two significant independent variables (V(metastasized) and V(residual)). The standardized regression coefficients (beta) of V(metastasized) and V(residual) were significant at the 0.1 and 5% levels, respectively. Based on this result, we can obtain a predicted value of IHAV shunt rate (p < 0.001) using CT images. When a high shunt rate was predicted, beneficial and consistent clinical monitoring can be initiated in, for example, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Catheters, Indwelling
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Embolization, Therapeutic
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Liver / blood supply*
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Regression Analysis
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
  • Fluorouracil