[Measurement of the volume of the liver by 3D computed tomography with anatomic correlation]

The purpose of this prospective study is to evaluate the accuracy of the volume measurement of the liver by three dimensional computed tomography (CT 3D). Volumetric studies were performed using axial data obtained in 12 cases during conventional dynamic CT and 8 cases during spiral CT with contrast enhancement examination. All patients were selected for liver transplantation. Volume of the liver and left and right lobes was obtained on 3D CT images after thresholding and ROI manual contour segmentation on CT slices and integrated 3D reconstruction software. Reference volume of recipient liver was obtained by means of water deplacement after transplantation. The segmental anatomy on CT slices and recipient liver was defined as described by Couinaud. Comparison by means of linear regression analysis between volume measurement on CT 3D reconstruction and reference volume showed a nearly ideal correlation coefficient (R = 0.996) (p < 0.01). CT3D reconstruction for measuring liver or segmental liver volume can be applied in extensive hepatic surgery or partition liver transplantation with adult donor with the necessary sensitivity.