Volumetric CT analysis of hepatic tumors

Current methods of measuring hepatic volume and the percent of hepatic parenchyma replaced by tumor are crude, yet clinical decisions are often based on these imprecise measurements. We describe a new computed tomographic (CT) assisted volume calculatory program to accurately assess hepatic volume and a new computer program to discriminate tumor from normal liver and thus provide tumor volume measurements. The potential usefulness of these techniques is illustrated by an analysis of pre- and post-therapy CT scans and calculation of changes in hepatic volume and in the volume of hepatic tumor. Analysis revealed small changes in liver volume could be accompanied by substantial changes in tumor volume and vice versa. We conclude (a) quantitative CT techniques allow for rapid, reproducible measurements of liver and tumor volume, and (b) small changes in organ volume may be accompanied by substantial changes in tumor volume.