Application value of contrast - enhanced ultrasonography in managing liver metastases before percutaneous radiofrequency ablation treatment / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) before percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating patients with liver metastases. Methods A total of 267 patients with 485 liver metastatic lesions were treated with percutaneous RFA in authors ’ department during the period from July 2001 to December 2012. Among them , 180 patients with 251 lesions received CEUS examination before RFA and based on CEUS findings the treatment scheme was made (CEUS group), and other 87 patients with 234 lesions without use of preoperative CEUS were used as control group. No significant differences in clinical data existed between the two groups (P0.05). The local recurrence rate of CEUS group was lower than that of the control group 12.4% (46/234) vs. 19.7%(31/251) (P 0.05). Conclusion CEUS performed before RFA treatment for patients with liver metastases is very useful for accurately judging the size and number of the lesions, which is very helpful in making therapeutic scheme. Therefore, preoperative CEUS can significantly increase early tumor necrosis rate and decrease the local recurrence rate.