Xing Xing, Cheng Shao-Ping, Huang Jin-Bai
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University Jingzhou, No. 8 of HangKong Road, ShaShi District, Jingzhou, 434000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University Jingzhou, Jingzhou, 434000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
Discov Oncol. 2024 Sep 27;15(1):497. doi: 10.1007/s12672-024-01343-z.
The aim of this study is to investigate the value of modified parameters derived from dual-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in predicting angiogenesis within pheochromocytoma.
A total of 31 patients with pathologically confirmed pheochromocytoma underwent preoperative dual-phase contrast-enhanced CT scanning, wherein modified CT enhancement parameters, namely maximum enhancement difference (∆H) and maximum enhancement velocity (V), were quantified. Subsequently, postoperative specimens were evaluated by pathological section, while microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were counted. We conducted comparative analyses to assess disparities in maximum enhancement difference and enhancement velocity between groups characterized by high and low VEGF expression. Furthermore, correlations between maximum enhancement difference, enhancement velocity, and MVD were examined, along with an assessment of the association between maximum enhancement difference, VEGF expression, and MVD at the point of maximal enhancement difference occurrence.
In the study group, unilateral pheochromocytoma was observed in 31 cases, with 19 cases of arterial phase enhancement and 12 cases displaying venous phase enhancement. The range of maximum enhancement difference (ΔH) spanned from 24 to 102 HU, while the range of maximum enhancement velocity (V) extended from 0.40 HU/s to 4.08 HU/s. Analysis revealed a significant elevation in MVD value within the arterial phase enhancement group compared to the venous phase enhancement group. Additionally, a positive correlation was discerned between the maximum enhancement difference, V, and MVD. Notably, both ∆H and V exhibited statistically significant elevations in the high VEGF expression group relative to the low VEGF expression group. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between both ΔH and V and VEGF expression levels.
Increased values of ∆H and V are indicative of heightened MVD and VEGF expression. Consequently, the modified parameters derived from dual-phase contrast-enhanced CT scanning serve as predictive markers for angiogenesis in adrenal pheochromocytoma.
本研究旨在探讨双期对比增强计算机断层扫描（CT）得出的修正参数在预测嗜铬细胞瘤血管生成中的价值。
31例经病理证实的嗜铬细胞瘤患者术前行双期对比增强CT扫描，对修正的CT增强参数，即最大增强差值（∆H）和最大增强速度（V）进行量化。随后，对术后标本进行病理切片评估，同时计数微血管密度（MVD）和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）水平。我们进行了比较分析，以评估高VEGF表达组和低VEGF表达组之间最大增强差值和增强速度的差异。此外，还检测了最大增强差值、增强速度与MVD之间的相关性，并评估了在最大增强差值出现时最大增强差值、VEGF表达与MVD之间的关联。
研究组中，31例为单侧嗜铬细胞瘤，动脉期增强19例，静脉期增强12例。最大增强差值（ΔH）范围为24至102 HU，最大增强速度（V）范围为0.40 HU/s至4.08 HU/s。分析显示，动脉期增强组的MVD值显著高于静脉期增强组。此外，最大增强差值、V与MVD之间存在正相关。值得注意的是，高VEGF表达组的∆H和V相对于低VEGF表达组均有统计学显著升高。此外，ΔH和V与VEGF表达水平之间均观察到正相关。
∆H和V值升高表明MVD和VEGF表达增加。因此，双期对比增强CT扫描得出的修正参数可作为肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤血管生成的预测标志物。
