Immediate evaluation and guidance of liver cancer thermal ablation by three-dimensional ultrasound/contrast-enhanced ultrasound fusion imaging

• Published in: International journal of hyperthermia Vol. 34; no. 6; pp. 870 - 876
• Main Authors: Xu, Er-Jiao, Lv, Shu-Min, Li, Kai, Long, Ying-Lin, Zeng, Qing-Jing, Su, Zhong-Zhen, Zheng, Rong-Qin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 18.08.2018
• Subjects: Ablation Techniques - methods; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - surgery; Catheter Ablation - methods; Contrast Media; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; Female; fusion imaging; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Liver Neoplasms - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; thermal ablation; Ultrasonography - methods; ultrasound; Hepatocellular carcinoma; fusion imaging; thermal ablation; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; ultrasound
• ISSN: 0265-6736; 1464-5157
• DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2017.1373306

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and value of three-dimensional ultrasound/contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D US-CEUS) fusion imaging for the immediate evaluation of technical success and the guidance of supplementary ablation during the liver cancer thermal ablation procedure. Materials and methods: Patients diagnosed with malignant liver cancer intending to receive thermal ablation including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) were enrolled. 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging was used to immediately assess the technical success and guide supplementary ablation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CECT/CEMRI) was performed one month after ablation to assess the technique effectiveness of the ablation. The registration success rate, duration time of 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging, technique effectiveness rate and major complications were recorded. Results: In total, 76 patients with 95 tumours who underwent RFA or MWA and assessed by 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging were enrolled. The registration success rate of 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging was 93.7% (89/95), and the duration time was 4.0 ± 1.1 min. Thirty lesions received supplementary ablation immediately during the procedure. The technique effectiveness rate of the ablation was 98.8% (81/82). There were no major complications related to ablation. Conclusions: 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging is a feasible and valuable technique for the immediate evaluation and guidance of supplementary ablation during the liver cancer thermal ablation procedure.