Jihye Min MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Min Woo Lee, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hyunchul Rhim MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sanghyeok Lim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tae Wook Kang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kyoung Doo Song MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Seo-Youn Choi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hyo Keun Lim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess whether fusion imaging of real-time ultrasonography (US) with liver CT/MR images for planning US of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can improve conspicuity of lesions and reduce false positive detection of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with local tumor progression (LTP).  

This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was waived. A total of 50 patients with at least one HCC with LTP (mean ± SD, 1.5 ± 0.6 cm; range, 0.5–3.0 cm) after prior RFA or chemoembolization were included. Planning US was performed by two radiologists using conventional US first and fusion imaging later in the same session. We assessed false positive detection rate on conventional US based on the results of fusion imaging. We also evaluated how many cases of initially invisible tumors on conventional US became visible after image fusion. True positive detection rate and conspicuity scores of the index tumors were compared between conventional US and fusion imaging.  

On conventional US, 40 (80%) out of 50 HCCs with LTP were identified. However, false positive detection rate of conventional US was 12.5 % (5/40). Out of 10 initially invisible HCCs with LTP on conventional US, 6 (60%) became visible after image fusion. True positive detection rate on conventional US was 70% (35/50) whereas it was increased to 92% (46/50) after image fusion (P=0.0026).

Fusion imaging of real-time US with liver CT/MR images can improve conspicuity of lesions and reduce false positive detection of HCCs with LTP.  

Fusion imaging of US and liver CT/MR images is useful for guidance of percutaneous RFA of HCCs with LTP. It can improve the lesion conspicuity and decrease the rate of false positive detection.  

Min, J, Lee, M, Rhim, H, Lim, S, Kang, T, Song, K, Choi, S, Lim, H, Fusion Imaging-guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinomas with Local Tumor Progression  .  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13025794.html