Objective: We investigated the usefulness of Sonazoid®-enhanced ultrasound for assessing the therapeutic effects of interventional therapy on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: Among patients with HCC who underwent interventional radiology (IVR) between January and March 2008, we investigated 45 nodules in which sufficient iodized oil (Lipiodol®) accumulation was observed on CT within 1 week of IVR. In all cases, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed before and within 3 days after IVR in order to assess tumor blood flow. In 18 cases where additional local ablation therapy was not performed, CEUS was performed both 1 week and 1 month after IVR, and dynamic CT was performed 1 month after IVR. Patients who did not undergo further therapy were followed to determine local recurrence following IVR.
Results: Follow-up study demonstrated the usefulness of CEUS immediately after TAI and 1week after TACE for assessment of the therapeutic effects of IVR for HCC.
Of the 18 nodules followed in order to assess local recurrence, CEUS 1 week after IVR revealed no residual blood flow in 4 nodules. No subsequent recurrence was seen in these 4 nodules. In the remaining 14 nodules, which showed residual blood flow on CEUS 1 week after IVR, recurrence was confirmed by CT within 3 months.
Conclusions: As CEUS is capable of assessing blood flow irrespective of Lipiodol® accumulation, it is useful for assessing therapeutic effects following IVR.