2022 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 960-968
We performed three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) with pulmonary artery (PA) and pulmonary vein (PV) segmentation for image support in patients undergoing pulmonary segmentectomy. Automatic segmentation of PA and PV is possible with single-phase scan by the use of SYNAPSE VINCENT (Fujifilm) image integration module. However, there are limitations to this automatic segmentation with many cases of segmentation errors and failures. Therefore, we examined the CT value and automatic extraction of PA and PV using a contrast-enhanced protocol in which the chest is included in the imaging range. As a result of a retrospective study, a new protocol using the trapezoidal cross-injection method in which the CT value of PA and PV is 200 Hounsfield unit (HU) or more and the CT value difference of PA and PV is 50 HU or more is desirable. The amount of contrast used was decreased to about 60% with the new protocol. CT value and difference in density were enough for imaging the PA and PV. The automatic image integration with SYNAPSE VINCENT had tendency for improved success rate with the new protocol, suggesting the usefulness of the new protocol.
