title: Ultrafast cone-beam computed tomography: a comparative study of imaging protocols during image-guided therapy procedure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate two ultrafast cone-beam CT (UF-CBCT) imaging protocols with different acquisition and injection parameters regarding image quality and required contrast media during image-guided hepatic transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 80 patients (male: 46, female: 34; mean age: 56.8 years; range: 33-83) UF-CBCT was performed during TACE for intraprocedural guidance. Imaging was performed using two ultrafast CBCT acquisition protocols with different acquisition and injection parameters (imaging protocol 1: acquisition time 2.54 s, and contrast 6 mL with 3 s delay; imaging protocol 2: acquisition time 2.72 s, and contrast 7 mL with 6 s delay). Image evaluation was performed with both qualitative and quantitative methods. Contrast injection volume and dose parameters were compared using values from the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Imaging protocol 2 provided significantly better (P < 0.05) image quality than protocol 1 at the cost of slightly higher contrast load and patient dose. Imaging protocol 1 provided good contrast perfusion but it mostly failed to delineate the tumors (P < 0.05). On the contrary, imaging protocol 2 showed excellent enhancement of hepatic parenchyma, tumor, and feeding vessels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tumor delineation, visualization of hepatic parenchyma, and feeding vessels are clearly possible using imaging protocol 2 with ultrafast CBCT imaging. A reduction of required contrast volume and patient dose were achieved due to the ultrafast CBCT imaging.
authors: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Jijo
authors: 0000-0003-1339-4718
authors: J
authors: Paul
authors: Division of Mathematics and Statistics, Dougherty System, Albany, GA 31705, USA.
authors: Annamma
authors: A
authors: Chacko
authors: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Farhang
authors: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Shahram
authors: S
authors: Kamali
authors: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Mohsen
authors: M
authors: Tavanania
authors: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Vogl
authors: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Bita
authors: B
authors: Panahi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media