J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2001 Dec;20(4):257-266.

Evaluation of Residual Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization: Comparison between Contrast-Enhanced Helical CT and Contrast-Enhanced Power Doppler Ultrasonography

• Kim SH
• Lim HK
• Lee WJ
• Lim JH
• Lee SJ
• Do YS
• Choo SW
• Choo IW
• KIm HN
• Shin SW
• Kim JH

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced helical CT and contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) in assessing the therapeutic effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).
MATERIALS and METHODS
The follow-up contrast-enhanced helical CT and contrast-enhanced PDUS were performed for twenty-nine nodular HCCs from twelve patients previously treated with TACE. We defined the residual HCCs as intratumoral enhancing area on contrast-enhanced helical CT and color signal on contrast-enhanced PDUS. The interval between two examinations was less than 2 weeks (mean, 9 days). Two radiologists evaluated two examinations by consensus, and the results of these two examination were compared with the findings of other examinations including CT, angiography, and/or pathology to calculate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of two examinations.
RESULTS
Of the 29 HCCs, 20 had residual HCCs whereas no residual HCCs in 9 HCCs on pathologic examination and/or follow-up radiologic study. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of contrast-enhanced helical CT were 65 (13/20), 89 (8/9), and 72 % (21/29) while those of contrast-enhanced PDUS were 100 (20/20), 89 (8/9) and 97% (28/29), respectively.
CONCLUSION
A microbubble contrast-enhanced PDUS was more effective in the detection of residual tumor in HCCs following TACE than contrast-enhanced helical CT.

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Consensus
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Microbubbles
Neoplasm, Residual
Pathology
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tomography, Spiral Computed*
Ultrasonography, Doppler*