BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to explore the reproducibility of volume-based quantitative measurement of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) perfusion at 64-slice CT.

METHODSFourteen patients with proved advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this dynamic first pass volume-based CT perfusion (CTP) study (8x5 mm collimation), and they underwent the second scan within 24 h. According to the longest diameters, those patients were classified to <3 cm and >3 cm groups, and each group had 7 patients. Intradclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman statistics were used to evaluate the reproducibility of CTP imaging.

RESULTSIn both groups of advanced NSCLC, the reproducibility with BF, BV, and PS values were good (ICC > 0.75 for all), but mean transit time (MTT) values. For advanced NSCLC (<3 cm), repeatability coefficient (RC) values with blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), MT and permeability surface area product (PS) values were 56%, 45%, 114%, and 78%, respectively, and the 95% change intervals of RC were -39%-53%, -29%-62%, -83%-145%, and -57%-98%, respectively. For advanced NSCLC (>3 cm), those values were 46%, 30%, 59%, and 33%, respectively, and the 95% change intervals of RC were -48%-45%, -33%-26%, -54%-64%, and -18%-48%.

CONCLUSIONThere is greater reproducibility of tumor size >3 cm than that of < or =3 cm. BF and BV could be addressed for reliable clinical application in antiangiogenesis therapeutic monitoring with advanced NSCLC patients.