Real-Time Elastography: Noninvasive Diagnostic Tool in the Evaluation of Liver Stiffness in Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis, Correlation with Histological Examination.

Purpose: To determine the value of real-time elastography (RTE) in the assessment of liver stiffness in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, correlating RTE data with the extent of fibrosis based on biopsy findings (Ishak score).

Methods: We evaluated 98 patients (45-75 years) with chronic viral hepatitis (51 HCV, 47 HBV) by using ultrasonography (US) study combined with RTE analysis. In the RTE images, relative tissue stiffness is expressed, according to color scale, with soft areas represented in green/red colors and hard areas in blue.

Low-dose computed tomography with 4-generation iterative reconstruction algorithm in assessment of oncologic patients.

Aim: To compare radiation dose and image quality of low-dose computed tomography (CT) protocol combined with hybrid-iterative reconstruction algorithm with standard-dose CT examinations for follow-up of oncologic patients.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with known malignant diseases which underwent, during clinical follow-up, both standard-dose and low-dose whole-body CT scans were enrolled. Low-dose CT was performed on 256-row scanner, with 120 kV and automated mA modulation, and iterative reconstruction algorithm.

Intraobserver and Interobserver Agreement in the Evaluation of Tumor Vascularization With Computed Tomography Perfusion in Cirrhotic Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate intrareader and inter-reader agreement in CT perfusion (Perf) measurements in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions.

Methods: Sixteen patients with HCC (9 untreated, 5 recurrence/residual disease after transarterial chemoembolization, and 2 after radiofrequency ablation treatment) underwent standard CT examination and a Perf study; a quantitative map of arterial and portal Perf by means of a color scale was generated. With dedicated Perf software, the following parameters were calculated on untreated and treated HCC lesions and on cirrhotic parenchyma: hepatic Perf, tissue blood volume, hepatic perfusion index, arterial perfusion, and time to peak.