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Usefulness of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography with abdominal virtual ultrasonography in assessing therapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma treated with radiofrequency ablation
Author(s) -
Kisaka Yoshiyasu,
Hirooka Masasi,
Kumagi Teru,
Uehara Takahide,
Hiasa Yoichi,
Kumano Seishi,
Tanaka Hiroaki,
Michitaka Kojiro,
Horiike Norio,
Mochizuki Teruhito,
Onji Morikazu
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01367.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiofrequency ablation , hepatocellular carcinoma , ultrasonography , radiology , therapeutic effect , multidetector computed tomography , ablation , computed tomography
Objective: Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is regarded as the gold standard for assessing the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the efficacy of virtual ultrasonography (VUS) with contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) vs. CECT for assessing the response to RFA. Materials and methods: Study 1: The therapeutic responses in 22 patients with 26 HCC nodules were assessed by CEUS with VUS as well as by CECT. The efficacy of treatment was based on whether the safety margin was greater than 5 mm after RFA. Study 2: In seven patients with seven HCC nodules, the nodules were treated by RFA and the therapeutic efficacy was assessed by CEUS with VUS. The number of RFA sessions was assessed. Results: Compared with CECT, CEUS with VUS had a specificity of 77%, a sensitivity of 91.6%, and an accuracy of 84%. When the therapeutic response to RFA was analyzed by CECT only, 1.86±0.69 assessments (mean) were required, while when response was assessed by CEUS with VUS, 1.14±0.38 CECT assessments were required ( P =0.03). Conclusion: CEUS with VUS is effective in assessing the therapeutic response to RFA of HCC. Moreover, the number of CECT scans required is reduced by this approach.