Clinical applications of imaging reconstruction by virtual sonography

Aim: One of the pitfalls in managing multiple liver tumors is the difficulty in identifying individual tumors on ultrasonography. Computed tomography (CT)-assisted virtual sonography has been shown to improve sonographic diagnosis, however it requires additional equipment and software. We have developed a simple reconstruction method of virtual sonography (SRVS). Methods: We reconstructed SRVS mimicking ultrasonographic images, utilizing a workstation software attached to a multi-detector row CT system without any additional program. Results: We have performed SRVS in 32 patients with 41 liver tumors that could hardly be identifiy on ultrasonography. SRVS assisted the identification of malignant form non-pathologic ones and thereby contributed to the appropriate clinical strategy including RFA (18 tumors), liver biopsy (2 tumors), other therapies (4 tumors) and follow-up (17 tumors). Conclusion: We have developed virtual sonography using conventional CT software. SRVS seems useful in the clinical practice in managing liver tumors.