J Korean Radiol Soc.  2002 Feb;46(2):149-154. 10.3348/jkrs.2002.46.2.149.

The Detectability of Hepatic Metastases in Candidates of Radiofrequency Ablation: Comparison for Helical CT Scanning and Late-Phase Pulse-Inversion Harmonic Imaging

• Lee KW
• Yoon KH
• Kim EA
• Park KH
• Juhng SK
• Won JJ

• KMID: 1832978
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2002.46.2.149

Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare dual-phase helical CT and pulse inversion harmonic US using microbubble contrast agents in the detection of hepatic metastases prior to radiofrequency (RF) ablation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-one patients in whom hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer had been diagnosed by dual-phase CT scanning and who were considered to be candidates for RF ablation underwent pulse-inversion barmonic US examination. Images were obtained 5 minutes after the bolus injection of microbubble contrast agent SH U 508 A (4.0 g, 300 mg/mL). The number of metastatic tumors revealed by CT and US was determined, and the findings were statistically analysed. The influence of the results of US examination on treatment planning was also evaluated.
RESULTS
In 21 patients, 48 metastatic lesions were detected by helical CT, and 56 lesions by US. These eight additional lesions revealed by US occurred in six patients (29%), and their diameter was 3-13 (mean, 7.2) mm. In three of these patients, RF ablation could not be performed, while in the other three, the additional lesions were ablated.
CONCLUSION
Pulse-inversion harmonic US imaging using microbubble contrast agents may depict small hepatic metastatic tumors that were not apparent at CT. US-therefore appears to be useful in the planning of treatment prior to the RF ablation of hepatic metastases.

Keyword

Liver, neoplasms; Liver, CT; Liver, US; Ultrasound (US), contrast agents

MeSH Terms

Catheter Ablation*
Colorectal Neoplasms
Contrast Media
Humans
Microbubbles
Neoplasm Metastasis*
Tomography, Spiral Computed*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Contrast Media