Understanding Bladder Cancer Diagnosis through CT Scan Imaging

Bladder cancer (BCa) remains a significant health concern due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. As we navigate through the diagnosis and treatment of this urogenital cancer, the role of pre-operative CT Scan imaging emerges as pivotal. CT Scan offers a non-invasive approach to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) and determine patient prognosis effectively.

Importance of CT Scan Imaging in Bladder Cancer

When dealing with bladder cancer diagnosis, CT Scan imaging stands out as a cornerstone in our diagnostic arsenal. Here's why:

Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis

Pre-operative CT Scan imaging allows us to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) accurately. By scrutinizing the imagery, we can identify potential areas of concern, enabling us to tailor treatment plans accordingly.

Assessing Patient Prognosis

CT Scan imaging also provides valuable insights into patient prognosis. Understanding the extent and nature of the disease through imaging aids in devising personalized treatment strategies and counseling patients effectively.

The Three-Phase Pelvis Protocol

In CT Imaging for Bladder Cancer (BCa), we adhere to a meticulous three-phase pelvis protocol:

1. Corticomedullary Phase (25 seconds): This phase initiates 25 seconds after bolus triggering threshold at 120HU when the contrast reaches the thoracoabdominal aortic junction.
2. Nephrographic Phase (75 seconds delay): Following the corticomedullary phase, the nephrographic phase begins after a 75-second delay.
3. Excretory Phase (300 seconds delay): The excretory phase commences 300 seconds after the conclusion of the initial corticomedullary phase.

These phases enable us to capture comprehensive imagery, providing detailed insights into the bladder cancer's characteristics and progression.

Utilizing ITK-SNAP Software for Lesion Segmentation

Upon concluding CT Imaging, our radiologists employ the ITK-SNAP Software (version 3.8.0) for lesion segmentation. Here's how it works:

• Segmenting Lesions: Radiologists meticulously segment present lesions visualized on the scan using ITK-SNAP. The maximum extent of the Region of Interest (ROI) is outlined layer by layer along the lesion's edge, carefully avoiding vesical stones and ureters.
• Generating 3D-ROI: ITK-SNAP automatically generates a 3D-ROI based on the segmented lesions, providing a comprehensive visualization of the disease extent.

ITK-SNAP Software

Further Education and Research Insights

For those interested in delving deeper into bladder cancer diagnosis and CT Scan imaging, I recommend exploring the linked retrospective research conducted on 239 patients. The data was sourced from 185 patients of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University as the training set, with an additional 54 patients from Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University comprising the external test set. Preoperative CT-based deep learning radiomics model to predict lymph node metastasis and patient prognosis in bladder cancer: a two-center study

Understanding the nuances of bladder cancer diagnosis and the role of CT Scan imaging is crucial in improving patient outcomes and advancing our collective understanding of this challenging disease. Let's continue to explore, innovate, and collaborate in our journey towards better healthcare.