Perfusion CT in resectable livermetastases of colorectal cancer.

Besides functional imaging techniques with MRI and PET, possibilities arise of
functional imaging with computer tomography (CT), like perfusion CT. Follow-up
of most metastasized colorectal cancer patients is done with CT. Therefore it
would be patient-friendly to be able to do (additional) functional imaging with
CT as well.
Like DCE-MRI, dynamic perfusion CT provides information on tumor vasculature
and hemodynamic properties. After analyses of the data in a pharmacokinetic
model, it provides information on blood volume, flow, vascular permeability and
extracellular volume. These parameters are associated with tumor aggressiveness
and prognosis. In various tumors has been shown that a drop in perfusion CT
parameters is predictive of response to treatment later on. The data of
perfusion CT and DCE-MRI are not directly interchangeable. Only a weak
correlation was shown between DCE-MRI- and perfusion CT parameters

We want to estimate the additional value of perfusion CT over the 4 phase
contrast CT. Furthermore, we want to correlate measurements of perfusion CT
(parameters) to histopathological properties of the tumor.

20 patients scheduled for a metastasectomy of liver metastases of colorectal
cancer will be asked to participate in this study.
An perfusion CT of the patients will be made. It will be compared to the 4
phase contrast enhanced CT that is made in regular clinical care before a
metastasectomy. Correlation with histopathology (hypoxia, vessel density) will
be determined.

The most important burden for the participating patients is the radiation
exposition of 10 mSv.