Characterization of Portal Vein Thrombosis (Neoplastic Versus Bland) on CT Images Using Software-Based Texture Analysis and Thrombus Density (Hounsfield Units)

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of CT texture analysis and thrombus density (measured in Hounsfield units) in distinguishing between neoplastic and bland portal vein thrombosis (PVT) on portal venous phase CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In this retrospective study, 117 contrast-enhanced CT studies of 109 patients were included for characterization of PVT. Assessment of PVT was performed by estimation of CT textural features using CT texture analysis software and measurement of attenuation values. For CT texture analysis, filtered and unfiltered images were assessed to quantify heterogeneity using a set of predefined histogram-based texture parameters. The Mann-Whitney U test and binary logistic regression were applied for statistical significance. ROC curves were used to identify accuracy and optimal cutoff values. RESULTS. Of the 117 CT studies, 63 neoplastic thrombi and 54 bland thrombi were identified on the images. The two most discriminative CT texture analysis parameters...