Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus 23, D-24105 Campus Kiel, Germany.
Eur J Radiol. 2011 Dec;80(3):e451-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2010.10.019. Epub 2010 Nov 19.
Quantification of tumour burden in oncology requires accurate and reproducible image evaluation. The current standard is one-dimensional measurement (e.g. RECIST) with inherent disadvantages. Volumetric analysis is discussed as an alternative for therapy monitoring of lung and liver metastases. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of semi-automated volumetric analysis of artificial lymph node metastases in a phantom study.
Fifty artificial lymph nodes were produced in a size range from 10 to 55mm; some of them enhanced using iodine contrast media. All nodules were placed in an artificial chest phantom (artiCHEST®) within different surrounding tissues. MDCT was performed using different collimations (1-5 mm) at varying reconstruction kernels (B20f, B40f, B60f). Volume and RECIST measurements were performed using Oncology Software (Siemens Healthcare, Forchheim, Germany) and were compared to reference volume and diameter by calculating absolute percentage errors.
The software performance allowed a robust volumetric analysis in a phantom setting. Unsatisfying segmentation results were frequently found for native nodules within surrounding muscle. The absolute percentage error (APE) for volumetric analysis varied between 0.01 and 225%. No significant differences were seen between different reconstruction kernels. The most unsatisfactory segmentation results occurred in higher slice thickness (4 and 5 mm). Contrast enhanced lymph nodes showed better segmentation results by trend.
The semi-automated 3D-volumetric analysis software tool allows a reliable and convenient segmentation of artificial lymph nodes in a phantom setting. Lymph nodes adjacent to tissue of similar density cause segmentation problems. For volumetric analysis of lymph node metastases in clinical routine a slice thickness of ≤3mm and a medium soft reconstruction kernel (e.g. B40f for Siemens scan systems) may be a suitable compromise for semi-automated volumetric analysis.
肿瘤负担的量化在肿瘤学中需要准确和可重复的图像评估。目前的标准是一维测量（例如 RECIST），具有固有缺点。体积分析被讨论作为肺和肝转移的治疗监测的替代方法。本研究的目的是在体模研究中调查人工淋巴结转移的半自动体积分析的准确性。
在大小范围为 10 至 55mm 的范围内制作了 50 个人工淋巴结；其中一些使用碘对比剂增强。所有结节均放置在人工胸部体模（artiCHEST®）中，位于不同的周围组织中。使用不同的准直器（1-5mm）在不同的重建核（B20f、B40f、B60f）下进行 MDCT。使用 Oncology 软件（西门子医疗，Forchheim，德国）进行体积和 RECIST 测量，并通过计算绝对百分比误差与参考体积和直径进行比较。
软件性能允许在体模设置中进行稳健的体积分析。在周围肌肉内的天然结节中经常发现不满意的分割结果。体积分析的绝对百分比误差（APE）在 0.01 至 225%之间变化。不同重建核之间未见显着差异。最高切片厚度（4 和 5mm）的分割结果最不理想。对比增强的淋巴结显示出更好的分割结果。
半自动 3D 体积分析软件工具允许在体模设置中可靠且方便地分割人工淋巴结。与密度相似的组织相邻的淋巴结会引起分割问题。对于临床常规中的淋巴结转移的体积分析，≤3mm 的切片厚度和中等软组织重建核（例如西门子扫描系统的 B40f）可能是半自动体积分析的合适折衷方案。
