The "embowire" technique: concept and description of a novel embolization technique for narrow vessels.

We describe a new, useful embolization technique applied to occlude narrow vessel branches (≤ 1.5 mm (0.06") in diameter) by deployment of one hydrocoil, through a microcatheter, in a way similar to the way in which one might navigate through the vascular lumen with a guidewire.

Effect of tumor size and tumor-to-liver contrast of hypovascular liver tumors on the diagnostic performance of hepatic CT imaging.

Objective: To assess the effect of tumor size and tumor-to-liver contrast of simulated hypovascular liver tumors on the diagnostic accuracy of hepatic computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was waived. A total of 153 simulated hypovascular liver tumors were embedded in 70 hepatic CT data sets that were acquired during the portal venous phase.

Iterative reconstruction algorithm for abdominal multidetector CT at different tube voltages: assessment of diagnostic accuracy, image quality, and radiation dose in a phantom study.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic accuracy, image quality, and radiation dose of an iterative reconstruction algorithm compared with a filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm for abdominal computed tomography (CT) at different tube voltages.

Materials And Methods: A custom liver phantom with 45 simulated hypovascular liver tumors (diameters of 5, 10, and 15 mm; tumor-to-liver contrast of 10, 25, and 50 HU) was placed in a cylindrical water container that mimicked an intermediate-sized patient. The phantom was scanned at 120, 100, and 80 kVp.