Fusion imaging assisted radiofrequency ablation for the unclear malignant liver tumor in conventional ultrasound

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of ultrasound-CT/MRI (US-CT/MRI) fusion imaging assisted radiofrequecy ablation for the unclear malignant liver tumor in conventional ultrasound. Methods A total of 91 patients with 102 lesions were intent to be treated by ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation in our hospital during March 2012 and September 2012. These lesions were divided into the unclear group and the clear group, according to the images in conventional ultrasound. The lesions in uncler group were detected, ablated and evaluated immediately with the assistance of US-CT/MRI fusion imaging and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The lesions in clear group were detected and ablated by ultrasound, then evaluated immediately by CEUS. Results There were 36 patients with 40 lesions enrolled into unclear group. Four patients with 5 lesions were eliminated because of the failure of registration or detection in fusion imaging. Finally, 32 patients with 35 lesions were included in this study. The success rates of the lesions detection by fusion imaging was 87.5%(35/40). There were 55 patients with 62 lesions enrolled in clear group. The additional ablation rate were 31.4% (11/35) and 11.3% (7/62) in these two group, respectively (P=0.014). The complete ablation rate were 97.1% (34/35) and 96.8% (60/62) in these two group, respectively (P=0.920). No complications related to ablations occurred in all patients. Conclusions With the assistance of US-CT/MRI fusion imaging, the complete ablation rate of the unclear malignant liver tumors in conventional ultrasound could be improved. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Radiofrequency ablation; Fusion imaging; Ultrasonography