Imaging Evaluation of Peritoneal Metastasis: Current and Promising Techniques.

Journal: Korean journal of radiology
Published Date:

Abstract

Early diagnosis, accurate assessment, and localization of peritoneal metastasis (PM) are essential for the selection of appropriate treatments and surgical guidance. However, available imaging modalities (computed tomography [CT], conventional magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography [PET]/CT) have limitations. The advent of new imaging techniques and novel molecular imaging agents have revealed molecular processes in the tumor microenvironment as an application for the early diagnosis and assessment of PM as well as real-time guided surgical resection, which has changed clinical management. In contrast to clinical imaging, which is purely qualitative and subjective for interpreting macroscopic structures, radiomics and artificial intelligence (AI) capitalize on high-dimensional numerical data from images that may reflect tumor pathophysiology. A predictive model can be used to predict the occurrence, recurrence, and prognosis of PM, thereby avoiding unnecessary exploratory surgeries. This review summarizes the role and status of different imaging techniques, especially new imaging strategies such as spectral photon-counting CT, fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT, near-infrared fluorescence imaging, and PET/MRI, for early diagnosis, assessment of surgical indications, and recurrence monitoring in patients with PM. The clinical applications, limitations, and solutions for fluorescence imaging, radiomics, and AI are also discussed.

Authors

  • Chen Fu
    Institute of Modern Biopharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. fuchen0794@swu.edu.cn.
  • Bangxing Zhang
    School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China.
  • Tiankang Guo
    Department of General Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
  • Junliang Li
    The First School of Clinical Medical, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.