{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.04885590599876314, 'fraction_numerical': 0.032158317872603585, 'mean_word_length': 4.905109489051095, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 2, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Evaluation of splenic perfusion and spleen size using dynamic-CT: usefulness in assessing degree of liver fibrosis

Aim: To enhance the usefulness of splenic perfusion evaluated by means of dynamic CT and of spleen size in assessing the degree of liver fibrosis. Methods: We retrospectively studied 133 patients who had undergone dynamic CT before hepatectomy. Fibrosis was histologically established in all. First we calculated splenic perfusion parameters K 1 (inflow rate constant), 1/k 2 (Mean Transit Time: MTT), and K 1 /k 2 (distribution volume: V d ), using compartment model analysis. Then we compared the stage of fibrosis with splenic perfusion and spleen size (long axis: R), using the Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple comparisons. After that, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of the combination of splenic perfusion, spleen size, age, gender, the presence or absence of hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection, and that of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection, in detecting liver fibrosis, using stepwise regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Significant differences (p<0.05) in MTT were observed in comparisons between F0 and F4, between F1 and F4, and between F2 and F4. Significant differences (p<0.05) in R were observed in comparisons between F0 and F4, and between F1 and F4. Considering the presence or absence of HBV/HCV infection along with MTT and R, the areas under the ROC curves (AUROC) were 0.89 for (cid:1229) F1, 0.83 for (cid:1229) F2, 0.82 for (cid:1229) F3, and 0.82 for F4. Conclusion: Splenic MTT and spleen size are helpful in assessing liver fibrosis.