Ces radiol. 2009, 63(2):145-151

Experiences with the use contrast-enhanced ultrasound to evaluation of the effect of radiofrequency ablation of liver and kidneyOriginal article

Zuzana Michaličková, Jana Červenková, Josef Hořejš

Radiodiagnostická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

Aim: The aim of the work is to present our experiences with the evaluation of the effect of RFA (radiofrequency ablation) of liver and kidney using ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue (Bracco, Italy) and the comparison with other imaging modalities, that are used for the evaluation of the effect of the therapy - CT, US, MRI, PET and PET-CT.


Material and method. During a period of 24 months (February 2007 - January 2009),16 of the patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation of liver or kidney, were examined by contrast-enhanced US (CEUS). 11 of them with liver lesion - liver metastasis, and 5 of them with kidney lesions. Patients who underwent RFA are commonly examined predominantly by CT, followed by MRI, PET, PET-CT or angiography.

Results: CEUS allows the excellence in imaging of the lesions after RFA. When the first RF treatment has not effectively eradicated the tumor, it is difficult to differentiate active tumor from coagulation necrosis. Furthermore, hyperdense or hypersignal halo is often visible and this finding may persist for several month or remain constantly. Thanks to CEUS we were able to distinguish viable lesion from residual tumor or necrotic tissue after RFA. During a period of 24 months we have evaluated the effect of RFA in 16 cases, the results of CEUS imaging were the same as other modalities imaging.

Conclusion: The evaluation of the effect of RFA of liver and kidney could be complicated due to specific appearance of lesions. CEUS provides image of suitable quality for evaluation and it is a useful alternative in the imaging process for patients.

Keywords: metastasis, radiofrequency ablation, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

Accepted: April 15, 2009; Published: June 1, 2009  Show citation