Sonazoid-enhanced sonography for guiding radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: better tumor visualization by Kupffer-phase imaging and vascular-phase imaging after reinjection.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of contrast harmonic sonography with a newly developed sonographic contrast agent as a means of guidance for percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
A total of 52 consecutive HCC lesions in 42 patients with HCC who underwent percutaneous RF ablation were included in this study. Altogether, 40 lesions in 35 patients were untreated HCC, and 12 lesions in 7 patients were local tumor progression of an HCC that had already been treated by other methods. We investigated tumors by Kupffer-phase imaging and vascular-phase imaging after reinjection. We performed RF ablation guided by Sonazoid-enhanced sonography using Kupffer-phase imaging and vascular-phase imaging after reinjection.


RESULTS
Conventional sonography identified 30 (57%) of 52 HCCs, whereas Sonazoid-enhanced sonography detected 50 (96%) of 52 HCCs (P < 0.01, McNemar's chi2 test). Complete ablation was achieved at a single session in 48 of 50 tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Sonazoid-enhanced sonography is a useful technique for guiding RF ablation of HCCs, even when treating local progression of a previously treated HCC.
Miyamoto
Noriyuki
N
Department of Radiology, Obihiro Kosei Hospital, W6, S8, Obihiro, 080-0013, Japan. nm-00@fg7.so-net.ne.jp
Hiramatsu
Kazuhide
K
Tsuchiya
Kazuhiko
K
Sato
Yukihiko
Y
Terae
Satoshi
S
Shirato
Hiroki
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D010087:Oxides; C069727:Sonazoid; D007501:Iron