Effects of microbubble on ultrasound guided frequency ablation

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of a microbubble agent (SonoVue) on radiofrequency ablation(RFA).Methods Twenty rabbits underwent RFA with or without SonoVue on two areas per rabbit liver.SonoVue were injected in bolus intravenously in 0.1 ml/kg.The morphology of hyperechogenic area were observed by conventional ultrasonography.The size of RFA lesions and ablation time were measured.The correlation was analyzed between hyperechogenic area and ablation size.Results Microbubbles didn't change the size of RFA lesions.However,with the addition of SonoVue to ablation,the morphology of hyperechogenic area was showed more regular and stable,and hyperechogenic area and ablation size were well correlated (r =0.849,P =0.000).Besides,the ablation time was much shorter (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The addition of SonoVue to ablation improve the prediction of ablated areas and reduce the ablation time,therefore it might be useful to prevent the unfavorable ablation of adjacent organs and vessels. Key words: Ultrasonography ; Microbubbles ; Catheter ablation