Exploring software navigation tools for liver tumour angiography: a scoping review
Nathan Brunskill1, John Robinson2, Don Nocum1,2
1San Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia.
Introduction:
Liver cancer presents a growing global health concern, necessitating advanced approaches for intervention. This review investigates the use and effectiveness of software navigation in interventional radiology for liver tumour procedures.
Methods:
In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, a scoping review was conducted of the literature published between 2013 and 2023 sourcing articles through MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL and Embase. Eligible studies focused on liver cancer, utilised cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and employed software for intervention. Twenty-one articles were deemed eligible for data extraction and analysis.
Results:
Categorised by type, software applications yielded diverse benefits. Feeder detection software significantly enhanced vessel identification, reducing non-target embolisation by up to 43%. Motion correction software demonstrated a 20% enhancement in image quality, effectively mitigating breathing-induced motion artefacts. Liver perfusion software facilitated efficient tumour targeting while simultaneously reducing the occurrence of side effects. Needle guide software enabled precise radiofrequency ablation needle placement. Additionally, these software applications provided detailed anatomical simulations. Overall, software integration resulted in shorter procedures, reduced radiation exposure and decreased contrast media usage.
Conclusion:
This scoping review highlights the innovative yet relatively underexplored role of software navigation for liver tumour procedures. The integration of software applications not only enhances procedural efficiency but also bolsters operator confidence, and contributes to improved patient outcomes. Despite the current lack of uniformity and standardisation, these software-driven advancements hold significant promise for transforming liver tumour interventions. To realise these benefits, further research is needed to explore the clinical impact and optimal utilisation of software navigation tools in interventional radiology.
Insights
Software navigation in interventional radiology improves liver cancer treatment by enhancing vessel identification, image quality, and tumour targeting. These advancements lead to more efficient procedures, reduced radiation, and better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Medical Software Development
- Oncology
Background:
- Liver cancer is a significant global health challenge requiring advanced interventions.
- Software navigation is emerging as a key technology in interventional radiology for liver tumour procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use and effectiveness of software navigation in interventional radiology for liver tumour procedures.
- To identify the benefits and limitations of current software applications in this field.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
- Literature from 2013-2023 was sourced from MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase.
- Twenty-one articles focusing on liver cancer, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and software intervention were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Software applications demonstrated significant benefits, including improved vessel identification (up to 43% reduction in non-target embolisation) and enhanced image quality (20% improvement).
- Specific software types facilitated efficient tumour targeting, precise needle placement, and reduced side effects.
- Overall integration led to shorter procedures, decreased radiation exposure, and reduced contrast media usage.
Conclusions:
- Software navigation is an innovative, though underexplored, tool for liver tumour interventions.
- Integration enhances procedural efficiency, operator confidence, and patient outcomes.
- Further research is needed to standardize and optimize the clinical use of these software tools.
