Image quality improvements in C-Arm CT (CACT) for liver oncology applications: Preliminary study in rabbits

Abstract

Introduction: C-Arm CT (CACT) is a new imaging modality in liver oncology therapy that allows for the acquisition of 3D images intra-procedurally. CACT has been used to enhance intra-arterial therapies for the liver by improving lesion detection, avoiding non-target embolization, and allowing for more selective delivery of agents. However, one of the limitations of this technology is image artifacts created by respiratory motion. Purpose: To determine in this preliminary study improvements in image acquisition, motion compensation, and high resolution 3D reconstruction that can improve CACT image quality (IQ). Material and methods: Three adult male New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study. First, a control rabbit was used to select the best x-ray acquisition imaging protocol and then two rabbits were implanted with liver tumor to further develop 3D image reconstruction and motion compensation algorithms. Results: The best IQ was obtained using the low 80 kVp protocol with motion compensated reconstruction with high resolution and fast acquisition speed (60 fps, 5 s/scan, and 312 images). Conclusion: IQ improved by: (1) decreasing acquisition time, (2) applying motion-compensated reconstruction, and (3) high resolution 3D reconstruction. The findings of this study can be applied to future animal studies and eventually could be translated into the clinical environment.

Key words::

• C-arm CT
• interventional oncology
• intra-arterial therapy
• TACE

Declaration of interest: M. Lin, D. Schäfer, N. Noordhoek, P. Eshuis, A. Radaelli, and M. Grass are Philips employees. J.F. Geschwind is a consultant to Biocompatibles, Bayer Healthcare, Guerbet, Nordion, Merit, Abbott, and Jennerex. The other authors have no relevant financial disclosure. This study was funded by NIH/NCI R01 CA160771, P30 CA006973, Philips Research North America, Briarcliff Manor, NY, USA and the French Society of Radiology (SFR).