Contrast-enhanced sonography with abdominal virtual sonography in monitoring radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Contrast-enhanced CT is regarded as the gold standard for monitoring radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, 3-dimensional volume data from CT have been used to create cross-sectional multiplanar reconstruction images. Using this technique, we can reconstruct 2-dimensional CT images identical in orientation to ultrasound (US) images, which we call virtual sonographic (VUS) images. The present prospective randomized control trial compared the number of CT scans needed to assess the efficacy of RFA of HCC using VUS-contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) versus CT.


METHODS
Subjects comprised 50 patients (50 HCCs) treated with US-guided RFA between May 2005 and August 2006, randomized to undergo assessment by CT (Group 1; 25 HCC nodules) or VUS-CEUS (Group 2; 25 HCC nodules). All patients were followed for 1 year. Primary endpoint was whether the number of CT scans could be reduced using VUS-CEUS.


RESULTS
Mean number of CT scans required was 1.64 +/- 0.7 in Group 1 and 1.1 +/- 0.2 in Group 2 (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
VUS-CEUS can be used to assess the efficacy of HCC of RFA, with the potential to reduce the number of CT scans required for that purpose.
Kisaka
Yoshiyasu
Y
Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, 454 Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
Hirooka
Masashi
M
Koizumi
Yohei
Y
Abe
Masanori
M
Matsuura
Bunzo
B
Hiasa
Yoichi
Y
Onji
Morikazu
M
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; C059891:SHU 508