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Nolsøe CP, Nolsøe AB, Klubien J, Pommergaard HC, Rosenberg J, Meloni MF, Lorentzen T. Use of Ultrasound Contrast Agents in Relation to Percutaneous Interventional Procedures: A Systematic Review and Pictorial Essay. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2018; 37:1305-1324. [PMID: 29230842 DOI: 10.1002/jum.14498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this article is to provide an inventory of the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in relation to percutaneous interventional procedures. The article is structured into a systematic literature review followed by a clinical part relating to percutaneous CEUS-guided procedures. A literature search identified 3109 records. After abstract screening, 55 articles were analyzed and supplemented with pictorial material to explain the techniques. In conclusion, the best-evidenced indications for CEUS-guided interventions are biopsy and ablation of inconspicuous or B-mode-invisible tumors, intraprocedural ablation control and follow-up, as well as percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Pállson Nolsøe
- Ultrasound Section, Division of Surgery, Department of Gastroenterology, Herlev Hospital, and Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Alexander Bjørneboe Nolsøe
- Center for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, and Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Jeanett Klubien
- Center for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, and Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Hans-Christian Pommergaard
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Rosenberg
- Center for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, and Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Maria Franca Meloni
- Interventional Ultrasound Section, Department of Radiology, Institute of Care Igea, Milan, Italy
- University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Torben Lorentzen
- Ultrasound Section, Division of Surgery, Department of Gastroenterology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
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Bo XW, Xu HX, Wang D, Guo LH, Sun LP, Li XL, Zhao CK, He YP, Liu BJ, Li DD, Zhang K. Fusion imaging of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT or MRI before radiofrequency ablation for liver cancers. Br J Radiol 2016; 89:20160379. [PMID: 27626506 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20160379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the usefulness of fusion imaging of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and CECT/CEMRI before percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver cancers. METHODS 45 consecutive patients with 70 liver lesions were included between March 2013 and October 2015, and all the lesions were identified on CEMRI/CECT prior to inclusion in the study. Planning ultrasound for percutaneous RFA was performed using conventional ultrasound, ultrasound-CECT/CEMRI and CEUS and CECT/CEMRI fusion imaging during the same session. The numbers of the conspicuous lesions on ultrasound and fusion imaging were recorded. RFA was performed according to the results of fusion imaging. Complete response (CR) rate was calculated and the complications were recorded. RESULTS On conventional ultrasound, 25 (35.7%) of the 70 lesions were conspicuous, whereas 45 (64.3%) were inconspicuous. Ultrasound-CECT/CEMRI fusion imaging detected additional 24 lesions thus increased the number of the conspicuous lesions to 49 (70.0%) (70.0% vs 35.7%; p < 0.001 in comparison with conventional ultrasound). With the use of CEUS and CECT/CEMRI fusion imaging, the number of the conspicuous lesions further increased to 67 (95.7%, 67/70) (95.7% vs 70.0%, 95.7% vs 35.7%; both p < 0.001 in comparison with ultrasound and ultrasound-CECT/CEMRI fusion imaging, respectively). With the assistance of CEUS and CECT/CEMRI fusion imaging, the confidence level of the operator for performing RFA improved significantly with regard to visualization of the target lesions (p = 0.001). The CR rate for RFA was 97.0% (64/66) in accordance to the CECT/CEMRI results 1 month later. No procedure-related deaths and major complications occurred during and after RFA. CONCLUSION Fusion of CEUS and CECT/CEMRI improves the visualization of those inconspicuous lesions on conventional ultrasound. It also facilitates improvement in the RFA operators' confidence and CR of RFA. Advances in knowledge: CEUS and CECT/CEMRI fusion imaging is better than both conventional ultrasound and ultrasound-CECT/CEMRI fusion imaging for lesion visualization and improves the operator confidence, thus it should be recommended to be used as a routine in ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA procedures for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Wan Bo
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui-Xiong Xu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Le-Hang Guo
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Ping Sun
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Long Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chong-Ke Zhao
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Ping He
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo-Ji Liu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan-Dan Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wang S, Yang W, Zhang H, Xu Q, Yan K. The Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Selection Indication and Improveing Diagnosis for Transthoracic Biopsy in Peripheral Pulmonary and Mediastinal Lesions. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:231782. [PMID: 26090391 PMCID: PMC4450237 DOI: 10.1155/2015/231782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective. To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in transthoracic biopsy of peripheral lung and mediastinal lesions. Methods. Of 142 patients, 82 patients received CEUS before biopsy and were defined as CEUS group. The remaining 60 patients only underwent conventional ultrasound (US) before biopsy and were served as US group. The information of CEUS was used for selecting indication and instructing biopsy. The imaging features, number of punctures, diagnostic successful rate, and complication rate between the two groups were compared. Results. Necrosis was demonstrated in 43.9% of the lesions in CEUS group and in 6.7% of US group (P < 0.001). Detection rate of lesion hidden in pulmonary atelectasis in CEUS group was 13.4%, which was statistically higher than 1.7% of US group (P = 0.013). The diagnostic success rate was 96.3% for CEUS group and 80% for US group, respectively (P = 0.002). The average number of punctures was 2.5 ± 0.7 and 2.6 ± 0.6, respectively. There was no significant difference in complications between CEUS group and US group. Conclusions. CEUS could play an important role in selecting proper indication and improving diagnostic accuracy rate of lung biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogensis and Translational Research of Ministry of Education, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogensis and Translational Research of Ministry of Education, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogensis and Translational Research of Ministry of Education, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogensis and Translational Research of Ministry of Education, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Harbin First Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150010, China
| | - Kun Yan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogensis and Translational Research of Ministry of Education, Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
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Dong Y, Wang WP, Gan YH, Huang BJ, Ding H. Radiofrequency ablation guided by contrast-enhanced ultrasound for hepatic malignancies: preliminary results. Clin Radiol 2014; 69:1129-1135. [PMID: 25060936 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2014.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can be performed effectively in small hepatic malignancies that are invisible or poorly visualized at traditional grey-scale ultrasonography (US). MATERIALS AND METHODS The institutional ethics committee approved the study, and all patients provided written informed consent before their enrolment. The study focused on 55 patients (43 men, 12 women, age 57.4 ± 10.9 years) with 60 hepatic lesions from May 2010 to March 2011. All lesions were treated with multipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA). During the RFA procedure, with the injection of ultrasound contrast agent (sulphur hexafluoride; SonoVue, Bracco Imaging Spa, Milan, Italy), RFA was conducted under CEUS guidance when the optimal depiction of a lesion was obtained. Artificial pleural effusions were used in those cases obstructed by the lungs. Twenty-four hours after RFA, contrast-enhanced MRI was used as the reference standard to evaluate the primary effectiveness rate and complete tumour necrosis. The follow-up time was 12-24 months (median 15 months). RESULTS Among 60 hepatic malignancies, CEUS detected 57 lesions (95%), which was higher than that at US (26.6%). Artificial pleural effusions were performed in three cases, resulting in the detection of three additional lesions. The insertion of RFA electrodes was monitored by CEUS in all lesions. Immediately after RFA, complete tumour necrosis were achieved in all 60 lesions as apparent at MRI, for a primary effectiveness rate of 100%. CONCLUSION CEUS-guided RFA is a promising technique for targeting and improving the efficiency of treatment of hepatic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - W-P Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Y-H Gan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - B-J Huang
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - H Ding
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd, Shanghai 200032, China
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Numata K, Fukuda H, Miwa H, Ishii T, Moriya S, Kondo M, Nozaki A, Morimoto M, Okada M, Takebayashi S, Maeda S, Nozawa A, Nakano M, Tanaka K. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography findings using a perflubutane-based contrast agent in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur J Radiol 2014; 83:95-102. [PMID: 24176532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2013.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Revised: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US) imaging features of early hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and compared these findings with those obtained using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty-three patients with 52 early HCCs with a mean maximal diameter of 15.6mm were enrolled in this retrospective study. After confirming the location of the target lesion using fusion imaging combining conventional US and hepatobiliary phase of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, we evaluated findings of contrast-enhanced US using a perflubutane-based contrast agent. The contrast-enhanced US detection rates for hyper-vascularity in early HCCs were compared with those obtained for contrast-enhanced CT. RESULTS Transient hypo-vascularity subsequent to iso-vascularity during arterial phase and iso-vascularity during portal and post-vascular phases were the predominant contrast-enhanced US findings seen for 25 (48.1%) of the 52 early HCCs. Nine (17.3%) showed iso-vascularity during all three phases, while 1 (1.9%) showed hypo-vascularity during all three phases. The remaining 17 (32.7%) showed partial or whole hyper-vascularity during arterial phase, iso-vascularity during portal phase, and iso- or hypo-vascularity during post-vascular phase. The detection rate for the hyper-vascularity of early HCCs using contrast-enhanced US (32.7%, 17/52) was significantly higher than that obtained using contrast-enhanced CT (21.2%, 11/52) (P<0.05 by McNemar test). CONCLUSION Hypo-vascularity, iso-vascularity, and hyper-vascularity were observed during the arterial phase of contrast-enhanced US in 50.0%, 17.3%, and 32.7% of the early HCCs, respectively. Contrast-enhanced US was more sensitive than contrast-enhanced CT for the detection of hyper-vascularity in early HCCs. Of note, early HCCs might not exhibit the early arterial enhancement that is generally considered to be a typical finding for HCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazushi Numata
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Fukuda
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
| | - Haruo Miwa
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Ishii
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
| | - Satoshi Moriya
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
| | - Masaaki Kondo
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
| | - Akito Nozaki
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
| | - Manabu Morimoto
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
| | - Masahiro Okada
- Department of Radiology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka 589-8511, Japan
| | - Shigeo Takebayashi
- Department of Radiology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
| | - Shin Maeda
- Division of Gastroenterology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Akinori Nozawa
- Department of Pathology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
| | - Masayuki Nakano
- Pathological Department, Ofuna Chuo Hospital, 6-2-24 Ofuna, Ofuna, Kanagawa 247-0055, Japan
| | - Katsuaki Tanaka
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan
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Rajesh S, Mukund A, Arora A, Jain D, Sarin SK. Contrast-enhanced US-guided Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2013; 24:1235-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2013.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Revised: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Efficacy of fusion imaging combining sonography and hepatobiliary phase MRI with Gd-EOB-DTPA to detect small hepatocellular carcinoma. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2012; 198:106-14. [PMID: 22194485 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.10.6039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the efficacy of fusion imaging that fuses conventional sonography images with hepatobiliary phase contrast-enhanced MR images obtained with gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) as the reference image for the detection of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Eighty-seven HCCs with a maximum diameter of between 1 and 3 cm at the time of diagnosis were enrolled in this prospective study. We compared the detection rates of HCCs using three sonography modalities: conventional sonography, late phase of contrast-enhanced sonography with Sonazoid, and fusion imaging combining conventional sonography and the hepatobiliary phase of contrast-enhanced MRI with Gd-EOB-DTPA as the reference image. The comparisons were made using the McNemar test. RESULTS The detection rate of HCCs using fusion imaging (98%, 85/87) was significantly higher than the detection rates using conventional sonography (76%, 66/87) and contrast-enhanced sonography (83%, 72/87) (p<0.01, for both). For small HCCs (maximum diameter, 1-2 cm), the detection rate using fusion imaging (97%, 59/61) was also significantly higher than those using conventional sonography (66%, 40/61) and contrast-enhanced sonography (80%, 49/61) (p<0.01, for both). The detection rate for atypical HCCs was also significantly higher using fusion imaging (95%, 18/19) than using conventional sonography (53%, 10/19) and contrast-enhanced sonography (26%, 5/19) (p<0.01, for both). CONCLUSION Fusion imaging combining conventional sonography and the hepatobiliary phase of contrast-enhanced MRI with Gd-EOB-DTPA is more sensitive than conventional sonography or contrast-enhanced sonography for detecting HCCs, especially small or atypical HCCs.
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Minami Y, Kudo M. Review of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound guidance in ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17:4952-9. [PMID: 22174544 PMCID: PMC3236587 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i45.4952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2011] [Revised: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Local ablative techniques-percutaneous ethanol injection, microwave coagulation therapy and radiofrequency ablation (RFA)-have been developed to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The success rate of percutaneous ablation therapy for HCC depends on correct targeting of the tumor via an imaging technique. However, probe insertion often is not completely accurate for small HCC nodules, which are poorly defined on conventional B-mode ultrasound (US) alone. Thus, multiple sessions of ablation therapy are frequently required in difficult cases. By means of two breakthroughs in US technology, harmonic imaging and the development of second-generation contrast agents, dynamic contrast-enhanced harmonic US imaging with an intravenous contrast agent can depict tumor vascularity sensitively and accurately, and is able to evaluate small hypervascular HCCs even when B-mode US cannot adequately characterize the tumors. Therefore, dynamic contrast-enhanced US can facilitate RFA electrode placement in hypervascular HCC, which is poorly depicted by B-mode US. The use of dynamic contrast-enhanced US guidance in ablation therapy for liver cancer is an efficient approach. Here, we present an overview of the current status of dynamic contrast-enhanced US-guided ablation therapy, and summarize the current indications and outcomes of reported clinical use in comparison with that of other modalities.
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Abstract
Medical imaging in interventional oncology is used differently than in diagnostic radiology and prioritizes different imaging features. Whereas diagnostic imaging prioritizes the highest-quality imaging, interventional imaging prioritizes real-time imaging with lower radiation dose in addition to high-quality imaging. In general, medical imaging plays five key roles in image-guided therapy, and interventional oncology, in particular. These roles are (a) preprocedure planning, (b) intraprocedural targeting, (c) intraprocedural monitoring, (d) intraprocedural control, and (e) postprocedure assessment. Although many of these roles are still relatively basic in interventional oncology, as research and development in medical imaging focuses on interventional needs, it is likely that the role of medical imaging in intervention will become even more integral and more widely applied. In this review, the current status of medical imaging for intervention in oncology will be described and directions for future development will be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen B Solomon
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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Numata K, Luo W, Morimoto M, Kondo M, Kunishi Y, Sasaki T, Nozaki A, Tanaka K. Contrast enhanced ultrasound of hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Radiol 2010; 2:68-82. [PMID: 21160920 PMCID: PMC2998925 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v2.i2.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2010] [Revised: 02/21/2010] [Accepted: 02/26/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sonazoid (Daiichi Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan), a second-generation of a lipid-stabilized suspension of a perfluorobutane gas microbubble contrast agent, has been used clinically in patients with liver tumors and for harmonic gray-scale ultrasonography (US) in Japan since January 2007. Sonazoid-enhanced US has two phases of contrast enhancement: vascular and late. In the late phase of Sonazoid-enhanced US, we scanned the whole liver using this modality at a low mechanical index (MI) without destroying the microbubbles, and this method allows detection of small viable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions which cannot be detected by conventional US as perfusion defects in the late phase. Re-injection of Sonazoid into an HCC lesion which previously showed a perfusion defect in the late phase is useful for confirming blood flow into the defects. High MI intermittent imaging at 2 frames per second in the late phase is also helpful in differentiation between necrosis and viable hypervascular HCC lesions. Sonazoid-enhanced US by the coded harmonic angio mode at a high MI not only allows clear observation of tumor vessels and tumor enhancement, but also permits automatic scanning with Sonazoid-enhanced three dimensional (3D) US. Fusion images combining US with contrast-enhanced CT or contrast-enhanced MRI have made it easy to detect typical or atypical HCC lesions. By these methods, Sonazoid-enhanced US can characterize liver tumors, grade HCC lesions histologically, recognize HCC dedifferentiation, evaluate the efficacy of ablation therapy or transcatheter arterial embolization, and guide ablation therapy for unresectable HCC. This article reviews the current developments and applications of Sonazoid-enhanced US and Sonazoid-enhanced 3D US for diagnosing and treating hepatic lesions, especially HCC.
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Minami Y, Kudo M. Contrast-enhanced harmonic ultrasound imaging in ablation therapy for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Radiol 2009; 1:86-91. [PMID: 21160724 PMCID: PMC2999306 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v1.i1.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2009] [Revised: 12/10/2009] [Accepted: 12/21/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The success rate of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depends on correct targeting via an imaging technique. However, RF electrode insertion is not completely accurate for residual HCC nodules because B-mode ultrasound (US), color Doppler, and power Doppler US findings cannot adequately differentiate between treated and viable residual tumor tissue. Electrode insertion is also difficult when we must identify the true HCC nodule among many large regenerated nodules in cirrhotic liver. Two breakthroughs in the field of US technology, harmonic imaging and the development of second-generation contrast agents, have recently been described and have demonstrated the potential to dramatically broaden the scope of US diagnosis of hepatic lesions. Contrast-enhanced harmonic US imaging with an intravenous contrast agent can evaluate small hypervascular HCC even when B-mode US cannot adequately characterize tumor. Therefore, contrast-enhanced harmonic US can facilitate RF ablation electrode placement in hypervascular HCC, which is poorly depicted by B-mode US. The use of contrast-enhanced harmonic US in ablation therapy for liver cancer is an efficient approach.
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Korenaga K, Korenaga M, Furukawa M, Yamasaki T, Sakaida I. Usefulness of Sonazoid contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison with pathological diagnosis and superparamagnetic iron oxide magnetic resonance images. J Gastroenterol 2009; 44:733-41. [PMID: 19387532 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-009-0053-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2008] [Accepted: 02/25/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated the usefulness of Sonazoid contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (Sonazoid-CEUS) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The examination was performed by comparing the images during the Kupffer phase of Sonazoid-CEUS with superparamagnetic iron oxide magnetic resonance (SPIO-MRI). METHODS The subjects were 48 HCC nodules which were histologically diagnosed (well-differentiated HCC, n=13; moderately differentiated HCC, n=30; poorly differentiated HCC, n=5). We performed Sonazoid-CEUS and SPIO-MRI on all subjects. In the Kupffer phase of Sonazoid-CEUS, the differences in the contrast agent uptake between the tumorous and non-tumorous areas were quantified as the Kupffer phase ratio and compared. In the SPIO-MRI, it was quantified as the SPIO-intensity index. We then compared these results with the histological differentiation of HCCs. RESULTS The Kupffer phase ratio decreased as the HCCs became less differentiated (P<0.0001; Kruskal-Wallis test). The SPIO-intensity index also decreased as HCCs became less differentiated (P<0.0001). A positive correlation was found between the Kupffer phase ratio and the SPIO-MRI index (r=0.839). In the Kupffer phase of Sonazoid-CEUS, all of the moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs appeared hypoechoic and were detected as a perfusion defect, whereas the majority (9 of 13 cases, 69.2%) of the well-differentiated HCCs had an isoechoic pattern. The Kupffer phase images of Sonazoid-CEUS and SPIO-MRI matched perfectly (100%) in all of the moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs. CONCLUSION Sonazoid-CEUS is useful for estimating histological grading of HCCs. It is a modality that could potentially replace SPIO-MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Korenaga
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan.
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Murakami K, Morikawa S, Naka S, Demura K, Sato K, Shiomi H, Kurumi Y, Inubushi T, Tani T. Correlation between high field MR images and histopathological findings of rat transplanted cancer immediately after partial microwave coagulation. Magn Reson Med Sci 2009; 7:105-12. [PMID: 18827453 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.7.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the immediate effects of microwave coagulation on rat tumors in various magnetic resonance (MR) images at high magnetic field strength using histopathological examinations as reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tumors implanted in rat femurs were partially thermocoagulated by microwave. Immediately after, T1- and T2-weighted images, diffusion-weighted images (DWIs), and contrast-enhanced T1 weighted images (CE-T1WIs) were acquired with a 7-tesla MR scanner. After measurements, tumors were examined histopathologically with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and histochemically for acid phosphatase activity. RESULTS Without contrast, boundaries of coagulated areas were unclear on MR images, including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. CE-T1WIs clearly showed immediate contrast enhancement of untreated areas of tumor, and the area of enhancement gradually enlarged in 5 min. Quantitative analyses were conducted by classifying tumor areas by contrast enhancement results. Signal intensities of the areas in the MR images showed no significant differences, but at the periphery, ADC values were significantly higher in areas with delayed enhancement than those with immediate enhancement. Compared with histopathological findings, with microwave thermocoagulation, increased ADC value seemed to derive from collection of extracellular fluid in the outer zone, where acid phosphatase activity was attenuated. CONCLUSION ADC values in the areas with delayed enhancement of CE-T1WIs were higher than those in non-affected areas, but MR images could not show areas of coagulation within tumors. Clear detection of the boundaries of coagulated areas required contrast enhancement, even at magnetic field strength of 7T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Murakami
- Department of Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan.
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Bartolotta TV, Taibbi A, Midiri M, De Maria M. Hepatocellular cancer response to radiofrequency tumor ablation: contrast-enhanced ultrasound. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 33:501-11. [PMID: 17786507 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-007-9294-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is increasingly being used as percutaneous treatment of choice for patients with early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). An accurate assessment of the RFA therapeutic response is of crucial importance, considering that a complete tumor ablation significantly increases patient survival, whereas residual unablated tumor calls for additional treatment. Imaging modalities play a pivotal role in accomplishing this task, but ultrasound (US) is not considered a reliable modality for the evaluation of the real extent of necrosis, even when color/power Doppler techniques are used. Recently, newer microbubble-based US contrast agents used in combination with grey-scale US techniques, which are very sensitive to non-linear behavior of microbubbles, have been introduced. These features have opened new prospects in liver ultrasound and may have a great impact on daily practice, including cost-effective assessment of therapeutic response of percutaneous ablative therapies. Technical evolution of CEUS focusing on findings after RFA are illustrated. These latter are detailed, cross-referenced with the literature and discussed on the basis of our personal experience. Timing of CEUS posttreatment assessment among with advantages and limitations of CEUS are also described with a perspective on further technologic refinement.
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Kitada T, Murakami T, Kuzushita N, Minamitani K, Nakajo K, Osuga K, Miyoshi E, Nakamura H, Kishino B, Tamura S, Hayashi N. Effectiveness of real-time virtual sonography-guided radiofrequency ablation treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas. Hepatol Res 2008; 38:565-571. [PMID: 18218008 DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2007.00308.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIM Real-time virtual sonography (RVS) can synchronize B-mode ultrasound (US) images with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR)-computed tomography (CT) images on the same screen in real time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of RVS for radiofrequency ablation therapy (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) in which it was difficult to identify contours or margins by B-mode US. METHODS Sixty-three consecutive patients with a solitary HCC of less than 3.5 cm in diameter were enrolled in this study. Thirty-nine patients with HCC clearly detectable by B-mode US underwent conventional RFA, while the remaining 24 with obscure tumor lesions underwent RVS-guided RFA. A follow-up study of RFA treatment was performed every 3 months using enhanced CT imaging of the arterial and portal phase (at least 24 months). The accuracy of needle insertion was confirmed by measuring the gap between the needle insertion line and the center of the tumor from MPR-CT images. RESULTS The local recurrence rate of the RVS-guided RFA group was similar to that of the conventional RFA group (8.3% vs 7.7%), despite the difficulty of detecting tumor lesions in the former group. The mean gap between the needle insertion line and the center of the tumor was 1.6 mm (0-3.2 mm) in eight patients treated with RVS-guided RFA. CONCLUSION RVS-guided RFA can be useful for treating HCC that are difficult to detect by B-mode US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takatoshi Kitada
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Itami City Hospital, Itami, Japan
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Lapeyre M, Colombier D, Rousset JF, Gratet A, Saltre-Masel M, Besse J. [Micro-coil localization of a liver lesion not visible on US prior to RF ablation]. JOURNAL DE RADIOLOGIE 2008; 89:810-812. [PMID: 18641570 DOI: 10.1016/s0221-0363(08)73789-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Lapeyre
- Service de Radiologie, Clinique Pasteur, Toulouse Cedex, France.
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17
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Numata K, Morimoto M, Ogura T, Sugimori K, Takebayashi S, Okada M, Tanaka K. Ablation therapy guided by contrast-enhanced sonography with Sonazoid for hepatocellular carcinoma lesions not detected by conventional sonography. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2008; 27:395-406. [PMID: 18314518 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2008.27.3.395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the usefulness of contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale sonography with a newly developed sonographic contrast medium as a means of guidance for percutaneous ablation therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma lesions not detected by conventional sonography. METHODS We examined 85 patients with 108 hepatocellular carcinoma lesions that were identified as hypervascular by multidetector-row computed tomography by using contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale sonography after injection of Sonazoid (GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway), a lipid-stabilized suspension of a perfluorobutane gas microbubble contrast agent. We scanned the whole liver by this modality at a low mechanical index in the late phase to detect lesions not detected by conventional sonography and then scanned the lesions again by this modality at a high mechanical index to visualize tumor vessels and enhancement. We also performed percutaneous ablation therapy guided by this modality to treat viable hepatocellular carcinoma lesions that could not be detected by conventional sonography. RESULTS Conventional sonography identified 90 (83%) of 108 hepatocellular carcinoma lesions; 15 (14%) additional viable lesions not detected by conventional sonography were detected in the late phase of contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale sonography at a low mechanical index, and tumor vessels and enhancement were observed in the late phase at a high mechanical index. Contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale sonography diagnosed 105 (97%) of the 108 viable hepatocellular carcinoma lesions, and 14 (93%) of the 15 lesions not detected by conventional sonography were successfully treated by percutaneous ablation therapy guided by this modality. CONCLUSIONS Contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale sonography is useful for guidance of percutaneous ablation therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma lesions not detected by conventional sonography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazushi Numata
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, Japan.
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Konopke R, Bunk A, Kersting S. The role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for focal liver lesion detection: an overview. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2007; 33:1515-26. [PMID: 17618038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2007.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2006] [Revised: 02/21/2007] [Accepted: 04/18/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The development of new ultrasound (US) contrast agents and sonographic techniques has considerably improved the possibilities of ultrasound in the assessment of liver tumors. An overview is given on diagnostic potential of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) and real-time low mechanical index technique in the detection of various focal liver lesions compared with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or intraoperative US. In two of our own studies that included 100 patients each we showed an increase of correct findings in CEUS compared with B-mode US from 64% to 87% and from 67% to 84% as confirmed by intraoperative evaluation of the liver. Especially after chemotherapy and in the case of small metastases, significantly more metastases were correctly detected by CEUS compared with B-mode US. These results and clinical study results in the literature show that CEUS allows tumor detection and direct visualization of the tumor vascularity and put contrast-enhanced sonography among recommended noninvasive imaging methods for focal liver lesions with improvements in diagnostic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Konopke
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
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Maruyama H, Kobayashi S, Yoshizumi H, Okugawa H, Akiike T, Yukisawa S, Fukuda H, Matsutani S, Ebara M, Saisho H. Application of percutaneous ultrasound-guided treatment for ultrasonically invisible hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma using microbubble contrast agent. Clin Radiol 2007; 62:668-75. [PMID: 17556036 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2006.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2006] [Revised: 11/13/2006] [Accepted: 11/21/2006] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the localization of ultrasonically invisible hypervascular lesions in the liver to facilitate percutaneous ultrasound-guided treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty patients with 47 ultrasonically invisible hypervascular lesions (5-20mm) diagnosed on contrast-enhanced computed tomography were enrolled in the retrospective study. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with Levovist was performed to localize the lesions both in the early phase and liver-specific phase. Diagnosis of was confirmed by percutaneous needle biopsy where feasible, and on the basis of on treatment outcomes or changes in computed tomography findings in those not amenable to biopsy. RESULTS Thirty-two lesions were diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound localized hepatocellular carcinoma in 24/32 (75%) lesions, the mean diameter (15.1+/-4.9mm), as measured using computed tomography, being significantly larger than that of the remaining eight lesions (10.5+/-2.1mm). Ultrasound-guided treatment was performed in 19 of the 24 lesions, and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was applied for the other five lesions because of difficult percutaneous access. Five of the eight non-visualised lesions were treated by transarterial chemoembolization, and the other three by surgical resection. The beneficial effect of CEUS was significantly greater when the reason for poor initial visualisation was the coarse liver architecture (17/17) than when it was due to adverse location (seven of 15, p<0.005). Fifteen of the CT-detected hypervascular lesions were considered to represent false positives for HCC, based on their behaviour during follow-up. CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Levovist facilitates the application of percutaneous ultrasound-guided treatment by improving localization of ultrasonically invisible hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Maruyama
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
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Numata K, Oka H, Morimoto M, Sugimori K, Kunisaki R, Nihonmatsu H, Matsuo K, Nagano Y, Nozawa A, Tanaka K. Differential diagnosis of gallbladder diseases with contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale ultrasonography. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2007; 26:763-74. [PMID: 17526608 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2007.26.6.763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We evaluated the usefulness of contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale ultrasonographic findings for differential diagnosis of gallbladder diseases. METHODS We evaluated contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale ultrasonographic images from 33 patients with 35 polypoid gallbladder disease lesions larger than 10 mm in diameter, consisting of 12 biliary sludge lesions, 8 cholesterol polyps, 1 inflammatory polyp, 2 adenomas, and 12 carcinomas. After a galactosepalmitic acid contrast agent was injected, lesions were scanned by contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale ultrasonography in 2 phases: early vascular and late vascular. RESULTS None of the biliary sludge lesions (n = 12) showed either tumor vessels or tumor enhancement. Lesions showing tumor vessels and tumor enhancement on contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale ultrasonography were diagnosed as cholesterol polyp, inflammatory polyp, adenoma, or carcinoma. Three (38%) of the 8 cholesterol polyps showed dotted-type tumor vessels. Branched-type tumor vessels were observed in 5 (62%) of the 8 cholesterol polyps, the 1 (100%) inflammatory polyp, both (100%) adenomas, and 3 (25%) of the 12 carcinomas. Tortuous-type tumor vessels were observed in 9 (75%) of the 12 carcinomas. Lesions with tumor enhancement and tortuous-type tumor vessels on contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale ultrasonography were diagnosed as carcinomas, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of this diagnosis with the current modality were 75% (9/12), 100% (23/23), and 91% (32/35), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of tumor vessels on contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale ultrasonography may be a useful modality for differentiating gallbladder carcinoma from other polypoid gallbladder disease lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazushi Numata
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
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Use of accumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography to evaluate tumor vessels in focal nodular hyperplasia and other hepatic tumors. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2007; 34:3-10. [PMID: 27278173 DOI: 10.1007/s10396-006-0132-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2006] [Accepted: 07/19/2006] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the usefulness of accumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography for examining tumor vessels in focal nodular hyperplasia and other hepatic lesions. METHODS After injecting a galactose-palmitic acid contrast agent, we used conventional contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography to scan 8 focal nodular hyperplasia lesions, 21 hepatocellular carcinomas, 2 cholangiocellular carcinomas, 12 hepatic metastases, 17 hemangiomas, and 2 angiomyolipomas. We then accumulated and superimposed consecutive conventional images (accumulation images) and compared them with corresponding conventional images to evaluate serial images of hepatic tumor vessels. RESULTS Serial tumor vessel findings obtained from accumulation images were superior to those obtained from conventional images in 51 (77%) of the 66 various hepatic lesions examined. Evidence of the spoke-wheel artery pattern in 2 of the 8 focal nodular hyperplasia lesions was equivocal in the conventional images, but accumulation images clearly depicted serial images of spoke-wheel arteries, clearly indicating a diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia. Accumulation images allowed the diagnosis of two additional focal nodular hyperplasia lesions that had not been correctly diagnosed as focal nodular hyperplasia from conventional images. CONCLUSION Accumulation images obtained by arterial-phase contrast-enhanced harmonic grayscale ultrasonography are useful in evaluating hepatic tumor vessels, especially spoke-wheel arteries, which specifically indicate focal nodular hyperplasia.
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Minami Y, Kudo M, Chung H, Kawasaki T, Yagyu Y, Shimono T, Shiozaki H. Contrast harmonic sonography-guided radiofrequency ablation therapy versus B-mode sonography in hepatocellular carcinoma: prospective randomized controlled trial. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2007; 188:489-94. [PMID: 17242259 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.05.1286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of contrast harmonic sonographic guidance in radiofrequency ablation of locally progressive hepatocellular carcinoma poorly depicted with B-mode sonography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A series of 40 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with local tumor progression poorly depicted with B-mode sonography were randomly treated with radiofrequency ablation guided by either contrast harmonic sonography (n = 20) or conventional B-mode sonography (n = 20). Unpaired Student's t tests were performed to compare numbers of treatment sessions. RESULTS Treatment analysis showed that the complete ablation rate after a single treatment session was significantly higher in the contrast harmonic sonography group than in the B-mode sonography group (94.7% vs 65.0%; p = 0.043) and that the number of treatment sessions was significantly lower in the contrast harmonic sonography group (mean, 1.1 +/- 0.2 vs 1.4 +/- 0.6; p =0.037). CONCLUSION Contrast harmonic sonography-guided radiofrequency ablation is an efficient technique for guiding further ablation of local tumor progression not clearly demarcated with B-mode sonography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Minami
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kinki University School of Medicine, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayma, Osaka 589-8511, Japan.
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Bolondi L, Correas JM, Lencioni R, Weskott HP, Piscaglia F. New perspectives for the use of contrast-enhanced liver ultrasound in clinical practice. Dig Liver Dis 2007; 39:187-95. [PMID: 17208526 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2006.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2006] [Revised: 08/16/2006] [Accepted: 08/29/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of second-generation microbubble ultrasound contrast agents and the development of contrast specific ultrasound techniques have improved the ability of contrast enhanced ultrasound in detecting and characterising liver lesions, offering new perspectives for its exploitation in clinical hepatology. Indeed, several studies have demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy in focal lesion characterisation (85-96%) in patients either with or without underlying chronic liver disease. This review article describes the basic principles of contrast enhanced ultrasound, defines the different vascular features of benign and malignant liver lesions, and assesses its clinical impact in different clinical scenarios, according to the guidelines of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, contrast enhanced ultrasound enables the characterisation of focal liver lesions, regardless of the presence or absence of underlying chronic liver disease. Contrast enhanced ultrasound is also useful in staging and follow-up of cancer patients and in monitoring local ablative treatment. Contrast enhanced ultrasound is expected to be considerably increased and replace many computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations in near future, according to the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures in order to meet the demand for an increasing number of these procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Bolondi
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Bologna, via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
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Kono Y, Lucidarme O, Choi SH, Rose SC, Hassanein TI, Alpert E, Mattrey RF. Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound as a Predictor of Treatment Efficacy within 2 Weeks after Transarterial Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2007; 18:57-65. [PMID: 17296705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2006.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can aid in assessing treatment efficacy within the first 2 weeks after transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed to detect residual tumor blood flow after 42 transarterial chemoembolization procedures in 33 patients who had hepatocellular carcinomas, and the results were compared with final tumor outcome. Twenty-nine CEUS studies were performed within 2 weeks after treatment and the remainder within 1 month. Phase-inversion low-mechanical-index real-time and intermittent imaging were performed after the intravenous injection of 0.5-2 mL US contrast medium by experienced radiologists blind to all other imaging findings. RESULTS Nine tumors did not reach final outcome--patients were lost to follow-up or died without autopsy (n = 6) or tumors were retreated before final outcome was established (n = 3). Of the remaining 33 tumors, outcome was established by histology (n = 9), angiography (n = 14), tumor growth (n = 2), or by computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging performed more than 6 months after treatment (n = 8). Twenty-three tumors were studied by CEUS within 2 weeks and 10 within 1 month after treatment. Of these 33 tumors, there were no false-negative results and one false-positive result. The only error occurred when the CEUS study was performed within 1 day after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Residual tumor blood flow on CEUS performed at 2 or more days after transarterial chemoembolization may be predictive of tumor outcome that currently requires 3 months to be reliably detected by computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Kono
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103-8756, USA.
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Numata K, Isozaki T, Morimoto M, Sugimori K, Kunisaki R, Morizane T, Tanaka K. Prospective study of differential diagnosis of hepatic tumors by pattern-based classification of contrast-enhanced sonography. World J Gastroenterol 2006; 12:6290-8. [PMID: 17072951 PMCID: PMC4088136 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i39.6290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To prospectively evaluate the usefulness of a pattern-based classification of contrast-enhanced sonographic findings for differential diagnosis of hepatic tumors.
METHODS: We evaluated the enhancement pattern of the contrast-enhanced sonography images in 586 patients with 586 hepatic lesions, consisting of 383 hepatocellular carcinomas, 89 metastases, and 114 hemangiomas. After injecting a galactose-palmitic acid contrast agent, lesions were scanned by contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography in three phases: arterial, portal, and late. The enhancement patterns of the initial 303 lesions were classified retrospectively, and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify enhancement patterns that allowed differentiation between hepatic tumors. We then used the pattern-based classification of enhancement we had retrospectively devised to prospectively diagnose 283 liver tumors.
RESULTS: Seven enhancement patterns were found to be significant predictors of different hepatic tumors. The presence of homogeneous or heterogeneous enhancement both in the arterial and portal phase was the typical enhancement pattern for hepatocellular carcinoma, while the presence of peritumoral vessels in the arterial phase and ring enhancement or a perfusion defect in the portal phase was the typical enhancement pattern for metastases, and the presence of peripheral nodular enhancement both in the arterial and portal phase was the typical enhancement pattern for hemangioma. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of prospective diagnosis based on the combinations of enhancement patterns, respectively, were 93.2%, 96.2%, and 94.0% for hepatocellular carcinoma, 87.9%, 99.6%, and 98.2% for metastasis, and 95.6%, 94.1%, and 94.3% for hemangioma.
CONCLUSION: The pattern-based classification of the contrast-enhanced sonographic findings is useful for differentiating among hepatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazushi Numata
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafunecho, Minami-ku, Yokohama 232-0024, Japan.
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Wu W, Chen MH, Yin SS, Yan K, Fan ZH, Yang W, Dai Y, Huo L, Li JY. The role of contrast-enhanced sonography of focal liver lesions before percutaneous biopsy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2006; 187:752-61. [PMID: 16928941 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.05.0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical utility of performing contrast-enhanced sonography before percutaneous biopsy of focal liver lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS One hundred eighty-six patients with focal liver lesions detected on either sonography or contrast-enhanced CT were randomly divided into two groups: a group who underwent contrast-enhanced sonography and another who underwent unenhanced sonography. The contrast-enhanced sonography group (79 patients, 129 lesions) underwent SonoVue-enhanced sonography before biopsy, and the unenhanced sonography group (107 patients, 143 lesions) did not undergo contrast-enhanced sonography before biopsy. Conventional sonography was used in all patients to guide the biopsy procedures. The pathologic diagnosis was considered definitive and final if the biopsy result was malignant. If the initial biopsy result was benign or negative for malignancy, then the result was either confirmed or denied on the basis of contrast-enhanced CT, MRI, angiography, serum alpha-fetoprotein level, or clinical follow-up over a period of 6 months. In some patients with suspected malignancy, biopsy was repeated when considered necessary during the follow-up. The diagnostic accuracy of the initial biopsy was defined as the percentage of the total number of lesions that were correctly diagnosed at the initial biopsy. The difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two groups was analyzed to evaluate the value of performing contrast-enhanced sonography before biopsy. RESULTS Of the 129 lesions in the contrast-enhanced sonography group, 28 (21.7%) were benign and 101 (78.3%) were malignant. Of the 143 lesions in the unenhanced sonography group, 36 (25.2%) were benign and 107 (74.8%) were malignant. There was no significant difference in the distribution of malignant and benign lesions in these two groups (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of lesions by size between the contrast-enhanced and unenhanced sonography groups (chi(2) = 0.619, p > 0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of the initial biopsy was significantly higher in the contrast-enhanced sonography group than in the unenhanced sonography group (95.3% vs 87.4%, respectively; p < 0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of the initial biopsy for malignant lesions < or = 2.0 cm was also significantly higher in the contrast-enhanced sonography group than in the unenhanced sonography group (97.1% vs 78.8%, respectively; p < 0.05). No major complications occurred in our study except one case of pneumothorax in the unenhanced sonography group. CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced sonography before percutaneous focal liver lesion biopsy improved the diagnostic accuracy of the procedure by providing important intralesional information for differentiating viable, denaturalized, or necrotic tissue; consequently, by providing more accurate information about the site of biopsy even in lesions < or = 2.0 cm, contrast-enhanced sonography before biopsy reduced the number of puncture attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Department of Ultrasound, School of Oncology, Peking University, 52 Fu-cheng Rd., Beijing 100036, People's Republic of China
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Ultrasound contrast agents: an overview. Eur J Radiol 2006; 60:324-30. [PMID: 16938418 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2006.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 310] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2006] [Revised: 06/11/2006] [Accepted: 06/14/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
With the introduction of microbubble contrast agents, diagnostic ultrasound has entered a new era that allows the dynamic detection of tissue flow of both the macro and microvasculature. Underpinning this development is the fact that gases are compressible, and thus the microbubbles expand and contract in the alternating pressure waves of the ultrasound beam, while tissue is almost incompressible. Special software using multiple pulse sequences separates these signals from those of tissue and displays them as an overlay or on a split screen. This can be done at low acoustic pressures (MI<0.3) so that the microbubbles are not destroyed and scanning can continue in real time. The clinical roles of contrast enhanced ultrasound scanning are expanding rapidly. They are established in echocardiography to improve endocardial border detection and are being developed for myocardial perfusion. In radiology, the most important application is the liver, especially for focal disease. The approach parallels that of dynamic CT or MRI but ultrasound has the advantages of high spatial and temporal resolution. Thus, small lesions that can be indeterminate on CT can often be studied with ultrasound, and situations where the flow is very rapid (e.g., focal nodular hyperplasia where the first few seconds of arterial perfusion may be critical to making the diagnosis) are readily studied. Microbubbles linger in the extensive sinusoidal space of normal liver for several minutes whereas they wash out rapidly from metastases, which have a low vascular volume and thus appear as filling defects. The method has been shown to be as sensitive as three-phase CT. Microbubbles have clinical uses in many other applications where knowledge of the microcirculation is important (the macrocirculation can usually be assessed adequately using conventional Doppler though there are a few important situations where the signal boost given by microbubbles is useful, e.g., transcranial Doppler for evaluating vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage). An important situation where demonstrating tissue devitalisation is important is in interstitial ablation of focal liver lesions: using microbubble contrast agents at the end of a procedure allows immediate evaluation of the adequacy of the ablation which can be extended if needed; this is much more convenient and cost-saving than moving the patient to CT and perhaps needing an additional ablation session at a later date. Similar considerations suggest that contrast-enhanced ultrasound might have a role in abdominal trauma: injury to the liver, spleen and kidneys can be assessed rapidly and repeatedly if necessary. Its role here alongside dynamic CT remains to be evaluated. Infarcts or ischaemia and regions of abnormal vascularity, especially in malignancies, in the kidneys and spleen seem to be useful and improved detection of the neovascularisation of ovarian carcinomas is promising. Similar benefits in the head-and-neck and in the skin while the demonstration of the neovascularisation of atheromatous plaques and of aggressive joint inflammation offer interesting potentials.
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Vilana R, Bianchi L, Varela M, Nicolau C, Sánchez M, Ayuso C, García M, Sala M, Llovet JM, Bruix J, Bru C. Is microbubble-enhanced ultrasonography sufficient for assessment of response to percutaneous treatment in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma? Eur Radiol 2006; 16:2454-62. [PMID: 16710666 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-006-0264-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2005] [Revised: 12/19/2005] [Accepted: 03/23/2006] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with SonoVue to evaluate the response to percutaneous treatment (ethanol injection/radiofrequency) of hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison with spiral computed tomography (CT) immediately and 1 month after treatment. Forty-one consecutive cirrhotic patients with early stage tumor (not suitable for resection) were included. Spiral CT and CEUS were performed in all patients before treatment, in the following 24 h, and 1 month later. The results of each examination were compared with the 1-month spiral CT, considered the gold standard technique. The 24-h CEUS and the 24-h spiral CT sensitivity to detect residual disease were 27% and 20%, respectively. The 24-h CEUS and the 24-h spiral CT positive predictive value of persistent vascularization detection were 75% and 66%, respectively. The 1-month CEUS detected partial responses in ten out of 11 cases (91% sensitivity, 97% specificity, 95% accuracy). Spiral CT and CEUS performed in the 24 h following treatment are slightly useful to evaluate therapeutic efficacy. The 1-month CEUS has a high diagnostic accuracy compared with spiral-CT in the usual assessment of percutaneous treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vilana
- Diagnosis Imaging Center, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Hirooka M, Iuchi H, Kumagi T, Shigematsu S, Hiraoka A, Uehara T, Kurose K, Horiike N, Onji M. Virtual Sonographic Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Visualized on CT but Not on Conventional Sonography. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2006; 186:S255-60. [PMID: 16632685 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.04.1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Some nodules cannot be visualized clearly on conventional sonography but can be visualized on CT. In the present study, we evaluated the usefulness of real-time percutaneous ablation therapy under virtual sonographic guidance for these nodules. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In vitro experiments were performed with gelatin gel to evaluate the accuracy of virtual sonography. We also studied 50 patients with 58 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules, of whom 18 patients (21 nodules) underwent radiofrequency ablation by virtual sonography. This was the initial treatment for seven of these patients and an additional treatment for 11 patients. Thirty-two patients (37 nodules) received radiofrequency ablation without virtual imaging. The patients receiving standard radiofrequency ablation were retrospectively selected as the historical control group under the same conditions as the study group. RESULTS The in vitro gelatin gel study revealed that all punctures had been performed accurately. In both the initial-treatment group and the additional-treatment group, the mean number of treatments with virtual sonography was significantly lower than that without virtual sonography (p = 0.003 for both groups). The rates of local recurrence and complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION In the treatment of nodules not depicted on sonography, radiofrequency ablation assisted by virtual sonography is an efficacious alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Hirooka
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University, Sigenobutyo Sizukawa, Ehime, Japan
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Carrafiello G, Laganà D, Mangini M, Dionigi G, Rovera F, Carcano G, Cuffari S, Fugazzola C. Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism With Ultrasonographically Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermoablation. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech 2006; 16:112-6. [PMID: 16773015 DOI: 10.1097/00129689-200604000-00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We present a case of a 63-year-old woman with a recurrent secondary hyperparathyroidism hyperplasia with absolute contraindication for surgery, treated in 2 sessions with percutaneous ultrasonographically guided radiofrequency tissue ablation. The complete pathologic tissue ablation was confirmed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography performed before and after the treatment and by clinical and laboratory follow-up. Furthermore in work progress, the percutaneous ultrasonographically guided radiofrequency tissue ablation can be considered a feasible and effective nonsurgical alternative treatment for symptomatic secondary hyperparathyroidism in high-risk patients.
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Abstract
Patients diagnosed with primary hepatic malignancies or metastases to the liver remain a difficult population to treat. A small percentage of these people can undergo surgical resection or transplantation. The remaining nonsurgical aggregate does not often benefit from conventional radiation and chemotherapy; minimally invasive means either to cure or palliate these patients are a requirement for complete cancer care. This article discusses image-guided local therapies used to treat this difficult patient population, focusing predominantly on radiofrequency ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Weeks
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2016 Old Clinic Building, Campus Box 7510, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7510, USA.
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Numata K, Ozawa Y, Kobayashi N, Kubota T, Shimada H, Nozawa A, Nakatani Y, Sugimori K, Matsuo K, Imada T, Tanaka K. Contrast-enhanced sonography of pancreatic carcinoma: correlations with pathological findings. J Gastroenterol 2005; 40:631-40. [PMID: 16007398 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-005-1598-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2004] [Accepted: 01/26/2005] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We examined contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonographic findings of pancreatic carcinoma in relation to the pathological findings in resected specimens to evaluate correlations between observations made by this modality and the pathological findings. METHODS The pathological findings of surgical specimens obtained from 16 patients were examined in relation to the contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography findings. Lesion vascularity was examined by contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography from 20 to 50 s after the injection of Levovist (Schering, Berlin, Germany) (early phase), and lesion enhancement was also monitored at approximately 90 s after injection (delayed phase). RESULTS Contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography showed positive enhancement in 12 of the 16 lesions (peripheral tumor region alone, n = 9; entire tumor, n = 3), while the other 4 lesions showed no contrast enhancement in any region. Twelve enhanced regions (9 peripheral tumor region and 3 entire tumor regions) detected by contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonography showed: (1) mild fibrosis with inflammation, in 10 regions (83%); (2) the presence of both carcinoma cells and residual acinar cells in 8 (67%); and (3) presence of relatively large arteries in 2 (17%). In contrast, 13 non-enhanced regions (4 entire tumor regions and 9 central regions) showed: (1) severe fibrosis in 10 regions (77%); (2) necrosis in 7 (54%); and (3) mucin in 4 (31%). CONCLUSIONS Contrast-enhanced harmonic gray-scale sonographic findings of pancreatic carcinoma are influenced by interstitial histological features associated with tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazushi Numata
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, 232-0024, Japan
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Miller DL, Dou C. Contrast-aided diagnostic ultrasound does not enhance lung metastasis in a mouse melanoma tumor model. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2005; 24:349-354. [PMID: 15723847 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2005.24.3.349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that contrast-aided diagnostic ultrasound (CADUS) could exacerbate the metastatic spread of mouse melanoma tumor cells to the lungs. METHODS The melanoma cell lines B16 and B16-D5 (metastatic specifically to lung) were implanted on a hind leg of female C57/bl6 mice. Growing tumors were scanned by 1.5-MHz diagnostic ultrasound in a 37 degrees C water bath. Four hundred image frames were triggered at a 1-Hz rate with 4 retro-orbital injections of an ultrasonographic contrast agent at dosage of 10 microL/kg at 100-second intervals. Sham-treated mice received 400 frames of ultrasonography followed by the contrast agent with the ultrasound off. The primary tumor was surgically removed 1 day after ultrasound administration. Lungs were removed and evaluated blind after 2 weeks of bleaching in Fekete solution. RESULTS Three experiments were performed. The first experiment involved scanning sham and CADUS groups of 20 mice each with B16 tumors; B16 metastasis was not enhanced. The second experiment repeated this test with the D5 cell line; the metastasis enhancement was marginally significant for average number (0.3 and 3.2; P = .06) and incidence (3 and 9 of 19; P = .08) in mice without tumor recurrence. Finally, a third experiment was performed to clarify ambiguous results in the second experiment and consisted of 2 groups of 40 mice each. In this larger experiment, the results were essentially equal for the sham and CADUS groups. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results do not support the hypothesis of CADUS-enhanced metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas L Miller
- University of Michigan Medical Center, Room 3315, Kresge III, 200 Zina Pitcher Pl, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0553 USA.
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Morimoto M, Nozawa A, Numata K, Shirato K, Sugimori K, Kokawa A, Tomita N, Saitou T, Nakatani Y, Imada T, Tanaka K. Evaluation using contrast-enhanced harmonic gray scale sonography after radio frequency ablation of small hepatocellular carcinoma: sonographic-histopathologic correlation. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2005; 24:273-283. [PMID: 15723840 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2005.24.3.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced harmonic wideband gray scale sonographic images obtained after radio frequency-induced coagulation necrosis, we compared the morphologic and histopathologic characteristics of the ablated tumors with sonographic images of the tumors. METHODS Forty-eight patients with 72 hepatocellular carcinomas with a maximal diameter of 3 cm or less were treated percutaneously using radio frequency ablation. Six treated tumors in 4 patients were resected 1 month after ablation; the remaining 66 treated tumors were evaluated by a biopsy procedure performed with an 18-gauge fine needle 1 month after ablation. The excised tumors and biopsy specimens were then examined by histopathologic methods, and the findings were compared with those obtained on contrast-enhanced harmonic wideband gray scale sonography. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained specimens were inconclusive as to whether cellular viability remained; therefore, cell viability was determined by a positive result after histochemical (lactate dehydrogenase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase) staining. RESULTS Contrast-enhanced harmonic wideband gray scale sonography after radio frequency ablation showed residual tumor enhancement in 5 (6.9%) of the 72 tumors; the histopathologic results for these 5 tumors were also positive for tumor residue. The remaining 67 tumors (93.1%) did not show any residual tumor enhancement when examined by sonography; however, only 66 tumors did not reveal tumor residue when examined histopathologically. Contrast-enhanced harmonic wideband sonographic imaging provided results that were comparable with histopathologic findings, the criterion standard for diagnosis; the sensitivity and specificity of the sonographic images for the detection of residual tumor tissue in ablated tumors were 83.3% (5 of 6) and 100% (66 of 66), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Contrast-enhanced harmonic wideband gray scale sonography is a potentially useful technique for evaluating the therapeutic effects of radio frequency ablation on hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Morimoto
- Gastroenterological Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama 232-0024, Japan
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Choi D, Lim HK, Lee WJ, Kim SH, Kim MJ, Kim SK, Jang KM, Lee JY, Lim JH. Radiofrequency ablation of liver cancer: early evaluation of therapeutic response with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Korean J Radiol 2005; 5:185-98. [PMID: 15467416 PMCID: PMC2698161 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2004.5.3.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The early assessment of the therapeutic response after percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation is important, in order to correctly decide whether further treatment is necessary. The residual unablated tumor is usually depicted on contrast-enhanced multiphase helical computed tomography (CT) as a focal enhancing structure during the arterial and portal venous phases. Contrast-enhanced color Doppler and power Doppler ultrasonography (US) have also been used to detect residual tumors. Contrast-enhanced gray-scale US, using a harmonic technology which has recently been introduced, allows for the detection of residual tumors after ablation, without any of the blooming or motion artifacts usually seen on contrast-enhanced color or power Doppler US. Based on our experience and reports in the literature, we consider that contrast-enhanced gray-scale harmonic US constitutes a reliable alternative to contrast-enhanced multiphase CT for the early evaluation of the therapeutic response to RF ablation for liver cancer. This technique was also useful in targeting any residual unablated tumors encountered during additional ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongil Choi
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.
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Lencioni R, Della Pina C, Bartolozzi C. Percutaneous image-guided radiofrequency ablation in the therapeutic management of hepatocellular carcinoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 30:401-8. [PMID: 16132439 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-004-0254-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Owing to surveillance programs for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis, more tumors are being detected at an early, asymptomatic stage. Percutaneous ablation is considered the best treatment option for patients with Child-Pugh class A or B cirrhosis and a single, nodular-type HCC smaller than 5 cm or as many as three HCC lesions, each smaller than 3 cm, when surgical resection or liver transplantation is not suitable. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as the most powerful method for percutaneous treatment of early-stage HCC. Recent studies have shown that RFA can achieve more effective local tumor control than ethanol injection and with fewer treatment sessions. In a randomized trial, local recurrence-free survival rates were significantly higher in patients who received RFA than in those treated by ethanol injection, and treatment allocation was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor by multivariate analysis. Due to advances in radiofrequency technology, RFA also has been used to treat patients with more advanced tumors. Preliminary reports have shown that RFA performed after balloon catheter occlusion of the hepatic artery, transarterial embolization, or chemoembolization results in increased volumes of coagulation necrosis, thus enabling successful destruction of large HCC lesions. This report reviews the current status of percutaneous, image-guided RFA in the therapeutic management of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lencioni
- Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Oncology, Transplants, and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, I-56126 Pisa, Italy.
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Tranquart F, Bleuzen A, Tchuenbou J. [Contrast ultrasound imaging in focal liver lesions: diagnostic value and guidelines]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 85:680-9. [PMID: 15238869 DOI: 10.1016/s0221-0363(04)97649-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The recent introduction of high quality scanners and contrast agents for ultrasound deeply modifies diagnosis strategy in focal liver lesions by using validated criteria. Non-linear imaging methods using low mechanical index (MI<0.2) and second generation contrast agents allow real-time continuous imaging with concomitant limitation in background tIssue signal and also in agent collapse for a high quality contrast imaging giving dramatic improvement in detection and characterization of lesions. Interpretation is based on the presence of contrast agent within the lesion or not (hyper-, hypo- or isosignal) and the delay after injection (arterial, portal or parenchymal or late phase) as previously used by non-ultrasound methods. This allows an easy differentiation of benign from malignant lesions. Moreover, this allows complete characterization in 85 to 95% of all focal liver lesions and 75% in hepatocellular carcinomas. Those results markedly improve ultrasound accuracy compared to conventional sonography and so put contrast-enhanced sonography among recommended non-invasive imaging methods for focal liver lesions with changes in diagnostic strategy according to the lesion type and actual place of US methods. It is recommended to use contrast ultrasound methods in cancer staging for an optimal detection of liver metastases as well as in characterization of lesions detected during conventional sonography with a consecutive decrease of cost-diagnosis ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Tranquart
- CIT Ultrasons, CHU Bretonneau, 37044 Tours Cedex.
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Seror O, N'Kontchou G, Haddar D, Dordea M, Ajavon Y, Ganne N, Trinchet JC, Beaugrand M, Sellier N. Large Infiltrative Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Treatment with Percutaneous Intraarterial Ethanol Injection Alone or in Combination with Conventional Percutaneous Ethanol Injection. Radiology 2005; 234:299-309. [PMID: 15564388 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2341031008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate patients' tolerance and the effectiveness of percutaneous intraarterial ethanol injection (PIAEI), alone or combined with conventional percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Neither institutional review board approval nor informed consent was required for this retrospective study; however, all patients had given their consent to be treated with PIAEI. Fourteen men and four women with cirrhosis and HCC who were ineligible for conventional curative treatment (largest tumor diameter, 35-90 mm; mean, 52 mm +/- 16 [standard deviation]) and whose supplying arteries were visible on computed tomographic (CT) and color Doppler ultrasonographic (US) images were treated with US-guided PIAEI-either alone or combined with PEI. Twelve patients had infiltrative tumors, and six had nodular tumors. Four patients had portal venous tumor involvement. Tumor necrosis and recurrence were evaluated with CT, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS In four patients, the main tumor was treated with PIAEI only, and in 14 patients, the main tumor was treated with combined PIAEI and PEI. One patient died of myocardial infarction before CT evaluation. Tumor necrosis was complete in 15 (88%) and incomplete in two (12%) of 17 patients. Results of subsequent surgery performed in three patients confirmed the radiologic findings: complete tumor necrosis in two patients and incomplete necrosis in one patient. Two severe PIAEI-related complications occurred: liver abscess, which resolved, and fatal acute pancreatitis. During the follow-up period (mean, 15 months +/- 6.7), six patients died owing to recurrent HCC, and 10 patients were alive with no detectable tumor after a mean follow-up period of 18 months +/- 11. One- and 2-year survival rates were 76.6% and 44.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION For patients with advanced HCC who are ineligible for other curative options, PIAEI could be an effective treatment, despite the associated risk of severe complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Seror
- Departments of Radiology and Hepatogastroenterology, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, avenue du 14 Juillet, 93143 Bondy Cedex, France.
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Hotta N, Tagaya T, Maeno T, Ayada M, Sato K, Ishikawa T, Okumura A, Fukuzawa Y, Kakumu S. Advanced dynamic flow imaging with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the evaluation of tumor vascularity in liver tumors. Clin Imaging 2005; 29:34-41. [PMID: 15859016 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2004.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
To examine the usefulness of advanced dynamic flow imaging in diagnosing hepatic tumor and in assessing therapeutic effects in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic hepatic tumor, we performed contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US) with Levovist, a microbubble contrast agent. Twenty-two patients of 35 HCC nodules infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and six patients with metastatic liver nodules were studied. They were diagnosed as having HCC or metastasis with helical dynamic computed tomography (CT) and/or celiac angiography. Tumor vascularities in the early arterial and postvascular phases were assessed by real-time scanning of advanced dynamic flow imaging and intermittent interval-delay scanning of contrast pulse subtraction imaging with a wide-band power Doppler technology. All patients showed hypervascular enhancement of HCC on contrast-enhanced US and/or dynamic CT. The advanced dynamic flow could be obtained as vascular and perfusion images of hepatic tumors. Tumor vascularities, including tumor vessels and parenchymal flow, were able to demonstrate in 27 of 29 nodules including 17 patients with 27 HCC nodules and 2 patients with 2 metastatic nodules before radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment by the advanced dynamic flow on contrast-enhanced harmonic US. Two nodules gave insufficient dynamic flow which were located approximately 12 cm in depth from the body surface. The advanced dynamic flow, which was done 7-10 days after RFA, indicated disappearance of the tumor vessels in 27 of visible 27 nodules. The study on early phase of helical dynamic CT revealed the same results as noted in early vascular phase of dynamic flow US. No major complication of RFA procedure was noted. The results indicated that contrast-enhanced advanced dynamic flow imaging on US clearly depicted intratumoral vascularity in real time and thus it is useful to diagnose and assess therapeutic efficacy in patients with HCC and metastatic liver tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Hotta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Infectious Disease, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute-cho, Aichi-gun, Aichi-ken 480-1195, Japan.
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Abstract
The detection rate of liver lesions using ultrasonography is 53-77%, rendering this method inferior to CT and MRI. Despite well-known limitations, development of stable second-generation contrast agents in conjunction with new techniques of contrast display has led to increased diagnostic accuracy. Characterization of focal liver lesions with ultrasound contrast agents follows known features of iodine- and gadolinium-containing contrast agents, but compared to CT and MRI sensitive visualization of intratumoral vessels takes place in real time. In addition to very high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant lesions, detectability of tumors of nonhepatocellular origin is increased significantly and direct assessment of treatment success with minimally invasive tumor ablative interventions in the liver is possible. The active principle of ultrasound contrast agents, examination technique as well as distinguishing features and appearance of various, frequently observed focal liver lesions are illustrated by cases from our department.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Uggowitzer
- Institut für Radiologie, Landeskrankenhaus Leoben, Osterreich.
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Nielsen MB, Bang N. Contrast enhanced ultrasound in liver imaging. Eur J Radiol 2004; 51 Suppl:S3-8. [PMID: 15234020 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2004.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2004] [Revised: 03/08/2004] [Accepted: 03/15/2004] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound contrast agents were originally introduced to enhance the Doppler signals when detecting vessels with low velocity flow or when imaging conditions were sub-optimal. Contrast agents showed additional properties, it was discovered that a parenchymal enhancement phase in the liver followed the enhancement of the blood pool. Contrast agents have made ultrasound scanning more accurate in detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesions and the sensitivity is now comparable with CT and MRI scanning. Further, analysis of the transit time of contrast agent through the liver seems to give information on possible hepatic involvement, not only from focal lesions but also from diffuse benign parenchymal disease. The first ultrasound contrast agents were easily destroyed by the energy from the sound waves but newer agents have proved to last for longer time and hereby enable real-time scanning and make contrast enhancement suitable for interventional procedures such as biopsies and tissue ablation. Also, in monitoring the effect of tumour treatment contrast agents have been useful. A brief overview is given on some possible applications and on different techniques using ultrasound contrast agents in liver imaging. At present, the use of an ultrasound contrast agent that allows real-time scanning with low mechanical index is to be preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bachmann Nielsen
- Department of Radiology, Section of Ultrasound X4123, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen DK 2100, Denmark.
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Krix M, Plathow C, Kiessling F, Herth F, Karcher A, Essig M, Schmitteckert H, Kauczor HU, Delorme S. Quantification of perfusion of liver tissue and metastases using a multivessel model for replenishment kinetics of ultrasound contrast agents. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2004; 30:1355-1363. [PMID: 15582235 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2004.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2004] [Revised: 08/05/2004] [Accepted: 08/13/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Low-MI (mechanical index) ultrasound allows real-time observation of replenishment kinetics after destruction ("flash") of ultrasound contrast agents (USCA). We developed an examination protocol and a mathematical model to quantify perfusion of liver tissue and hepatic metastases. Using a modified multivessel model, we attempted a consistent, physiological description of microbubble replenishment in liver tissue. Perfusion parameters were calculated, separately for the arterial and portal venous phase of liver perfusion, using an i.v. bolus injection of 2 x 2.4 mL SonoVue. The model was evaluated for 10 examinations of liver metastases using flash/low-MI imaging. In contrast to the established, exponential model, the new model consistently describes the sigmoid replenishment of USCA measured in vivo, using flash/low-MI imaging. Parameters for blood volume, blood velocity and blood flow in liver tissue and metastases can be calculated during the arterial and the portal venous phase after a CA bolus injection. The median arterial perfusion in the examined liver metastases was more than 2.5 times higher than in normal liver tissue, whereas the median perfusion during the portal venous phase was more than five times higher in the liver tissue than that in metastases. Microbubble replenishment measured with flash/low-MI US techniques can be consistently analyzed using the multivessel model, even after a bolus injection of USCA. This allows for the quantification of perfusion of liver tissue and hepatic metastases and provides promising parameters of tissue viability and tumor characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Krix
- Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Department of Radiology, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Abstract
This article provides a brief overview of the current status of commonly employed diagnostic techniques--US, CT, MR, and PET--for the evaluation of liver metastases and HCC as well as a description of imaging in RF ablation and liver transplantation. The various advantages and limitations of the techniques have been outlined. At the present time, at our center, MRI is used most often to evaluate these liver pathologies, due to its high accuracy for lesion detection and characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Braga
- Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 10 Manning Drive, CB# 7510, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7510, USA
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Correas JM, Vallet-Pichard A, Pol S, Hélénon O. [The role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma]. JOURNAL DE RADIOLOGIE 2004; 85:690-703. [PMID: 15238870 DOI: 10.1016/s0221-0363(04)97650-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in Occident, as well as in France. Primary prevention is the only solution for early detection. The combination of ultrasound (US) and alphaFP each 4 to 6 Months dosage has many limitations. The sensitivity of US examination is rather poor (less than 70% for lesions below 2 cm in diameter) and serum alphaFP values remain normal in almost 50% of HCC. US contrast agents (USCAs) with perfluorocarbon gases increase the backscattered signals during all phases of the liver transit, including arterial, portal and delayed phases. Hepatocellular lesions exhibit a specific kinetics with strong enhancement during arterial phase, and rapid wash-out during portal and delayed phases. USCAs increase the detection of HCCs and allow characterization of additional focal lesions found in cirrhotic livers (regenerative and dysplastic nodules, haemangiomas.). Indeed, regenerative nodules contrast uptake is synchronous to the surrounding parenchyma, and usually disappear during portal and delayed phases. However, US in cirrhosis remains a difficult examination, with limitations due to limited access to sub-diaphragmatic localization, attenuation of the ultrasound beam and shortness of the arterial phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Correas
- Service de Radiologie Adulte, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France.
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Tranquart F, Correas JM, Bleuzen A, Tchuenbou J. Place actuelle de l’échographie de contraste dans l’exploration des lésions focales hépatiques. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 28:337-49. [PMID: 15146149 DOI: 10.1016/s0399-8320(04)94934-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Lencioni R, Cioni D, Crocetti L, Bartolozzi C. Percutaneous ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: state-of-the-art. Liver Transpl 2004; 10:S91-7. [PMID: 14762847 DOI: 10.1002/lt.20043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Percutaneous ablation is considered the best treatment option for patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are not candidates for surgical resection or liver transplantation. Several methods have been developed, including intratumoral injection of ethanol or acetic acid, and thermal ablation with radiofrequency, laser, microwaves, or cryosurgery. Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) has been the most widely used technique. Several series have provided indirect evidence that PEI improves the natural history of HCC. Patients with Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis and either a single tumor smaller than 5 cm or as many as three lesions each smaller than 3 cm may achieve a 5-year survival of 50%. The major limitation of PEI is the high local recurrence rate, which may reach 33-43%. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation has emerged as the most powerful alternate method for percutaneous ablation. Recent studies have shown that RF ablation can achieve more effective local tumor control than PEI with fewer treatment sessions. In a randomized trial, local recurrence-free survival rates were significantly higher in patients who received RF ablation than in those treated by PEI, and treatment allocation was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor by multivariate analysis. RF ablation could therefore be considered as the percutaneous treatment of choice for patients with early-stage tumors. Further investigation is warranted to clarify whether current RF technology could offer improved results in patients with intermediate-stage HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Lencioni
- Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Oncology, Transplants, and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
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Sartori S, Nielsen I, Trevisani L, Tombesi P, Ceccotti P, Abbasciano V. Contrast-enhanced sonography as guidance for transthoracic biopsy of a peripheral lung lesion with large necrotic areas. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2004; 23:133-136. [PMID: 14756362 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2004.23.1.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2003] [Accepted: 08/12/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Sartori
- Section of Interventional Ultrasound and Department of Internal Medicine, St Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
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Choi D, Lim HK, Lee WJ, Kim SH, Kim YH, Kim SH, Lim JH. Early assessment of the therapeutic response to radio frequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: utility of gray scale harmonic ultrasonography with a microbubble contrast agent. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2003; 22:1163-1172. [PMID: 14620886 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2003.22.11.1163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utility of gray scale harmonic ultrasonography with a microbubble contrast agent in the early assessment of the therapeutic response to radio frequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS Seventy-five patients with 81 nodular hepatocellular carcinomas (1.3-4.8 cm) treated with percutaneous radio frequency ablation were evaluated with contrast-enhanced gray scale harmonic ultrasonography after intravenous bolus injection of a galactose-based microbubble contrast agent. The vascularity within the ablation zones was evaluated with a continuous scan for 3 to 5 seconds between 15 and 30 seconds after initiation of contrast agent injection. To evaluate the perfusion of the ablation zones, intermittent stimulated acoustic emission imaging was performed with a rapid sweeping technique from the end of the continuous scan. All patients underwent follow-up 3-phase helical computed tomography at 1 month after radio frequency ablation and were followed for at least 1 year. The results of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were compared with those of follow-up computed tomography in terms of the presence or absence of residual unablated tumors. RESULTS In 10 (12%) of the 81 treated hepatocellular carcinomas, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed either nodular or crescentic enhancing foci at the margins of ablation zones, suggesting residual unablated tumors. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography obtained 1 month after radio frequency ablation confirmed the residual unablated tumors in the same 10 lesions. Diagnostic agreement between 1-month follow-up computed tomography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was achieved in all 81 cases (100%). CONCLUSIONS Contrast-enhanced gray scale harmonic ultrasonography can be a reliable alternative to contrast-enhanced computed tomography in the early assessment of the therapeutic response to radio frequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongil Choi
- Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Colagrande S, La Villa G, Bartolucci M, Lanini F, Barletta G, Villari N. Spiral computed tomography versus ultrasound in the follow-up of cirrhotic patients previously treated for hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective study. J Hepatol 2003; 39:93-8. [PMID: 12821049 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8278(03)00159-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS To assess the value of hepatic-arterial-phase computed tomography (HAP-CT) versus ultrasound (US) plus alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the surveillance of cirrhotic patients with previously treated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Thirty-six cirrhotic patients, treated for single nodular HCC <4cm with complete response and no evidence of other focal lesions, were enrolled in a prospective study and underwent simultaneous AFP/US/spiral-CT follow-up every 6 months. Focal lesions were considered recurrences when they appeared as globular enhancement areas (EA) at HAP-CT and increased in size during the follow-up. RESULTS Fifteen of 36 patients showed at least one focal lesion for a total of 43 EA: 38/43 increased in size, four did not change and one disappeared. EA were first observed after a follow-up of 9+/-4 (range 6-18) months. At the same time, no patient had either nodular lesion at US examination or diagnostic levels of AFP. In 22 matched lesions, diagnosis by CT was 8.2+/-3.5 months earlier than by US. In 13 patients, one evolved EA was submitted to US-guided biopsy and histological examination showed HCC in all cases. CONCLUSIONS Periodical spiral-CT examination is more effective than US-AFP in early detection of HCC recurrence in cirrhotic patients successfully treated for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Colagrande
- Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Clinica, Sezione di Radiologia Diagnostica, University of Florence School of Medicine, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Florence, Italy.
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