LIVER VOLUME ASSESSMENT BY CONVENTIONAL VS HELICAL CT

Background: Accurate noninvasive measurement of the volume of the live r has many potential clinical applications and is an important element in the preoperative evaluation of the liver transplant recipient. Hel ical (or spiral) computed tomography (CT) has theoretical advantages o ver conventional CT in this application because the entire liver can b e imaged in a single breath-hold, limiting inaccuracies related to pat ient motion and respiratory variation. Methods: We compared liver volu mes measured by conventional CT and helical CT in 22 patients undergoi ng preoperative evaluation for liver transplantation. Results: The mea n volume for helical CT is 1328 ml (SD 405) and conventional CT is 132 3 ml (SD 417). Conclusions: We found no significant difference between the helical CT and conventional CT volumes for each patient.