scholarly journals Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Residual Tumor of Hepatocellular Carcinoma following Transarterial Chemoembolization: Is It Helpful for Tumor Response?

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian’an Jiang ◽  
Qiyu Zhao ◽  
Min Huang ◽  
Junhui Sun ◽  
Guo Tian

Aim. To investigate the enhancement pattern of residual tumor on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).Methods. Our study initially included 76 patients with HCC, 73 of which were finally allocated into two groups: group 1 (43 patients, post-TACE group) and group 2 (30 patients, untreated HCC group). All patients were performed with CEUS using SonoVue, and qualitative and quantitative enhancement characteristics (rise time, peak time, and washout time) were evaluated for the residual tumors. T test orχ2test was used to estimate for differences between two groups.Results. In group 1, the mean rise time, peak time, and washout times in group 1 were 16.1±2.7 sec, 31.3±3.1 sec, and 191.0±31.3 sec, respectively. In group 2, these were 15.1±3.5 sec, 30.9±3.2 sec, and 142.6±16.1 sec, respectively. The differences in rise time and peak time were not statistically significant (P=0.09 and 0.30, respectively), but the washout time was significantly prolonged in group 1 (P<0.01). The enhanced pattern in arterial phase was inhomogeneous (n=11), regular homogeneous (n=11), partial (n=12), peripheral (n=7), and peripheral rim-like (n=2) in group 1. The average of the longest tumor size of the whole lesion in the 5 types was 4.7±1.3cm, 2.9±1.0cm, 3.1±1.7cm, 2.5±0.6cm, and 2.1 cm.Conclusion. It suggested that the washout time of post-TACE residual lesions was prolonged compared with untreated HCC nodules on CEUS imaging. Combined with the triple-phase enhancement pattern seen on CEUS, the washout time may provide additional information to guide further treatment for residual tumors.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lian-Feng Liu ◽  
Zhan-Ling Ding ◽  
Jian-Hong Zhong ◽  
Hong-Xue Li ◽  
Jun-Jie Liu ◽  
...  

Objective. To evaluate contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for monitoring early intrahepatic recurrence of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative treatment. Methods. We prospectively analyzed 97 patients (124 nodules) with primary HCC who underwent hepatic resection or radiofrequency ablation and subsequently experienced intrahepatic recurrence. Patients were assessed with conventional ultrasound and CEUS. They were also assessed with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The image characteristics of CEUS of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma and high-grade dysplastic nodules (HGDNs) were analyzed. In addition, the ability of CEUS and CECT/MRI to assess internal artery vascularization in recurrent disease was compared. Results. CEUS of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma showed hyperenhancement in the arterial phase in 96 of 99 nodules, and it showed hypo- or isoenhancement for portal venous and delayed phases. The most common enhancement patterns were “fast-in and slow-out” and “fast-in and fast-out”. Based on the arterial hyperenhancement of lesions and with clinical data such as patient history of HCC and increased level of serum alpha-fetoprotein, the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS for recurrent HCC was significantly higher than that based on the enhancement pattern of “fast-in and fast-out”. CEUS of HGDNs showed local or global hyperenhancement during the arterial phase, isoenhancement during the portal venous phase, and isoenhancement or slight hypoenhancement during the delayed phase. The enhancement pattern was “fast-in and slow-out”. In some cases, it was difficult to differentiate HGDNs from recurrent disease using CEUS. Vascularization in recurrent disease was significantly higher when assessed by CEUS than when assessed with CECT/MRI (P < 0.05). For detecting recurrent disease, CEUS showed sensitivity of 97.0%, specificity of 68.0%, positive predictive value of 92.3%, and negative predictive value of 85.0%. The corresponding parameters for CECT/MRI were 71.7%, 72.0%, 88.8%, and 39.1%. Conclusion. Intrahepatic recurrent HCC and HGDNs with diameter ≤ 3.0 cm have a characteristic appearance on CEUS. This imaging modality may be effective for monitoring early intrahepatic recurrence after curative treatment of primary HCC.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Xia Zhao ◽  
Hui Liu ◽  
Qing Wei ◽  
Guang Xu ◽  
Jian Wu ◽  
...  

This study was to investigate the correlation between contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) characteristics with prognostic factors in breast cancers with different sizes. A retrospective analysis of CEUS characteristics of 104 pathologically proven malignant lesions from 104 women was conducted. Lesions were divided into two groups according to their size measured by US (Group 1: maximum diameter ≤20 mm; Group 2: maximum diameter >20 mm). Features including enhancement degree, order and pattern, enlargement of the enhancement area, and penetrating vessels on CEUS were evaluated. Pathologic prognostic factors, including estrogen and progesterone receptor status, and the expression of c-erb-B2, p53, Ki-67, and VEGF were assessed. Comparison of enhancement pattern parameters between Group 1 and Group 2 showed statistically significant differences (P<0.0001). A significant correlation was found between enlargement of the enhancement area and ER positivity in Group 1 (P=0.032). In Group 2 the absence of penetrating vessels was significantly associated with VEGF negativity (P=0.022) and ER negativity (P=0.022). Centripetal enhancement reflected VEGF negativity (P=0.033) in lesions with diameter >20 mm. Thus, breast cancers with different sizes show different CEUS features; small breast cancers show homogeneous enhancement pattern while cancers with diameter >20 mm show homogeneous enhancement pattern. Some CEUS characteristics of differently sized breast cancers could be correlated with prognostic factors, which may be useful in prognosis assessment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 324-332
Author(s):  
E. V. Kovaleva ◽  
G. T. Sinyukova ◽  
T. Yu. Danzanova ◽  
P. I. Lepedatu ◽  
E. A. Gudilina ◽  
...  

Objective: to determine the possibilities of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in identifying and evaluating the efficiency of chemotherapy in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM).Material and methods. The investigation enrolled 28 patients with CLM. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 – 15 pretreatment patients; Group 2 – 13 posttreatment patients with process stabilization. All the patients underwent standard B-mode ultrasound of the liver and that using the contrast agent SonoVue ® (Bracco, Italy), by recording and estimating the parameters of the intensity-time curve (CIV). Liver CEUS assesses the nature of contrasting metastases in three phases (arterial, venous, and delay ones).Results. The investigators identified three types of contrast agent accumulation in CLM in the arterial phase: along the periphery of the lesions (in 60% of the patients of Group 1, in 76.9% in Group 2), homogeneously over the entire volume (in 26.7% in Group 1 and in 0.08% in Group 2), in parallel with intact liver parenchyma (13.3% in Group 1 and 23.02% in Group 2). In the delay phase, more metastases were detected in 4 cases (14.3%). Estimation of CIV parameters showed a difference at the beginning of contrast enhancement stages between the patients in both groups. Group 1 exhibited the early contrasting of liver metastases (19.3 sec); Group 2 displayed the late washout of a contrast agent (65.9 sec).Conclusion. CEUS versus B-mode ultrasound improves the imaging of liver metastases. The change in the vascular architectonics and hemodynamics in CLM after chemotherapy is reflected in the alteration of the rate of contrast accumulation and washout from the metastases, which allows CEUS to be used in the evaluation of the efficiency of this treatment.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 291
Author(s):  
Kazue Shiozawa ◽  
Takashi Matsui ◽  
Takahiro Murakami ◽  
Manabu Watanabe ◽  
Iruru Maetani

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads (DEB-TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thirty-two patients with HCC who underwent DEB-TACE were enrolled in this study. Enhancement patterns of vascular phase images on CEUS were compared before and within 3 days after DEB-TACE, and the patterns after DEB-TACE were classified as follows: Pattern A, no enhancement; Pattern B, peripheral ring enhancement; Pattern C, partial enhancement within or peripheral to tumors, and Pattern D, reduced or unchanged enhancement in the whole tumor. Enhancement patterns in all lesions and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) findings after DEB-TACE were compared statistically. The treatment response of DEB-TACE was evaluated using the Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) by CECT. The enhancement patterns on CEUS performed within 3 days after DEB-TACE were defined as Pattern A in 17 cases, B in 7, C in 13, and D in 2. The complete response rates at one month after treatment were 94.1% (16/17 lesions) for Pattern A, 85.7% (6/7) for B, 15.4% (2/13) for C, and 50% (1/2) for D. The response rates were significantly higher for lesions with Pattern A compared to those with Pattern C at one month (p = 0.009) and 12 months (p < 0.001) after treatment, and significantly higher for lesions with Pattern B compared to those with Pattern C at 12 months after treatment (p = 0.031). Comparisons between other patterns showed no significant differences. CEUS immediately after DEB-TACE may allow early assessment of therapeutic efficacy, with findings of no enhancement or peripheral ring enhancement suggesting a positive outcome.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-95
Author(s):  
Nico Sollmann ◽  
Tobias Laub ◽  
Anna Kelm ◽  
Lucia Albers ◽  
Jan S Kirschke ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Due to frequent recurrences, high-grade gliomas still confer a poor prognosis. Several regrowth prediction models have been developed, but most of these models are based on cellular models or dynamic mathematical calculations, thus limiting direct clinical use. The present study aims to evaluate whether navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may be used to predict the direction of tumor regrowth. Methods Sixty consecutive patients with high-grade gliomas were enrolled prospectively and analyzed in a case-control design after tumor recurrence. All patients underwent serial MRI after surgery and suffered from recurrent tumors during a mean follow-up of 13.2 ± 14.9 months. Tumor regrowth speed and direction were measured in relation to motor areas defined by nTMS, nTMS-based tractography, and fMRI. Depending on initial resection, patients were separated into three groups (group 1: without residual tumor, group 2: residual tumor away from motor areas, and group 3: residual tumor facing motor areas). Results Sixty-nine percent of patients in group 1, 64.3% in group 2, and 66.7% in group 3 showed tumor recurrence towards motor eloquence on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences (P = .9527). Average growth towards motor areas on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences was 0.6 ± 1.5 (group 1), 0.6 ± 2.4 (group 2), and 2.3 ± 5.5 (group 3) mm/month (P = .0492). Conclusion This study suggests a new strategy to predict tumor regrowth patterns in high-grade glioma patients. Our approach could be directly applied in the clinical setting, thus having clinical impact on both surgical treatment and radiotherapy planning. Ethics Committee Registration Number 2793/10.


Author(s):  
T. J. Vogl ◽  
M. C. Langenbach ◽  
R. Hammerstingl ◽  
M. H. Albrecht ◽  
A. R. Chatterjee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This prospective randomized trial is designed to compare the performance of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) using Lipiodol-only with additional use of degradable starch microspheres (DSM) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in BCLC-stage-B based on metric tumor response. Methods Sixty-one patients (44 men; 17 women; range 44–85) with HCC were evaluated in this IRB-approved HIPPA compliant study. The treatment protocol included three TACE-sessions in 4-week intervals, in all cases with Mitomycin C as a chemotherapeutic agent. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed prior to the first and 4 weeks after the last TACE. Two treatment groups were determined using a randomization sheet: In 30 patients, TACE was performed using Lipiodol only (group 1). In 31 cases Lipiodol was combined with DSMs (group 2). Response according to tumor volume, diameter, mRECIST criteria, and the development of necrotic areas were analyzed and compared using the Mann–Whitney-U, Kruskal–Wallis-H-test, and Spearman-Rho. Survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier estimator. Results A mean overall tumor volume reduction of 21.45% (± 62.34%) was observed with an average tumor volume reduction of 19.95% in group 1 vs. 22.95% in group 2 (p = 0.653). Mean diameter reduction was measured with 6.26% (± 34.75%), for group 1 with 11.86% vs. 4.06% in group 2 (p = 0.678). Regarding mRECIST criteria, group 1 versus group 2 showed complete response in 0 versus 3 cases, partial response in 2 versus 7 cases, stable disease in 21 versus 17 cases, and progressive disease in 3 versus 1 cases (p = 0.010). Estimated overall survival was in mean 33.4 months (95% CI 25.5–41.4) for cTACE with Lipiosol plus DSM, and 32.5 months (95% CI 26.6–38.4), for cTACE with Lipiodol-only (p = 0.844), respectively. Conclusions The additional application of DSM during cTACE showed a significant benefit in tumor response according to mRECIST compared to cTACE with Lipiodol-only. No benefit in survival time was observed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils F. Schreiter ◽  
Martin Maurer ◽  
Ulrich-Frank Pape ◽  
Bernd Hamm ◽  
Winfried Brenner ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Interpretation of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) by Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT can be difficult. The potential benefit of arterial hyperperfusion for the detection of NETs was evaluated. Methods. Between 2006 and 2009, 320 consecutive Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT examinations, performed for NETs, revealed 40 lesions suggesting intestinal NETs in 25 patients. Two groups of lesions were distinguished: epigastric lesions evaluable in the arterial and venous CT scan (Group 1) and hypogastrial lesions evaluable in the venous CT scan only (Group 2). Lesions were jointly rated by two radiologists and a nuclear medicine physician. Maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax) of lesions and background were assessed. The reference standard was histology (available for 28 lesions) or follow-up (for a mean of 22.9 months). Results. PET detected all suspicious lesions but was false positive in 3 lesions. In Group 1 the arterial scan performed significantly better than the venous scan (p = 0.008). Diagnostic performance was better in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.001). SUVmax of true positive lesions were significantly higher than background SUVmax (p < 0.001) and SUVmax of false positive lesions (p = 0.005). Conclusions. The arterial phase of multiphase Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT might improve the localization of intestinal NETs and, thereby, improve the overall diagnostic accuracy of this modality in the assessment of intestinal NETs by adding information about lesion perfusion not available when only venous CT is performed


Author(s):  
B. N. Kotiv ◽  
I. I. Dzidzava ◽  
S. A. Alent’yev ◽  
A. V. Smorodsky ◽  
K. I. Makhmudov ◽  
...  

Аim. Evaluation of the effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment at early BCLC-A and intermediate BCLC-B stages by the combined use of liver resections and locoregional therapy.Materials and methods. The study included 142 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. At the BCLC-A stage – 46 observations, at the BCLC-B stage – 96 observations. Chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of various etiologies were detected in 58 (40.8%) patients. Liver resection of various volumes, transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation were used for treatment. With the tumor progression and the ineffectiveness of locoregional therapy, targeted therapy was prescribed.Results. Four groups of patients were identified depending on treatment tactics. In group 1, 28 patients underwent radical liver resections; in group 2, 37 patients underwent preoperative transarterial chemoembolization and liver resection. In group 3, 63 patients underwent therapeutic transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation. In group 4, 14 patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization followed by hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Overall survival in groups 1 and 2 significantly exceeds survival rates in groups 3 and 4. The median overall survival in groups 1–4 was 39, 37.5, 19.5, and 7.5 months (p1–3 = 0.0001 ; p1–4 = 0.0009, p2–3 = 0.018 , p 2–4 = 0.001). The cumulative one, three and five year survival rates in groups 1 and 2 did not significantly differ (87.8% and 80.0%, 82.5% and 75.0%, 68.2% and 58.0%, 54.5% and 41.0%, respectively, p1–2 = 0.076). However, group 1 consisted exclusively of patients with BCLC-A stages with solitary tumors less than 6.5 cm in diameter, group 2 included large BCLC-A tumors and multiple tumors BCLC-B stages (67.6%).Conclusion. For the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma BCLC-A and BCLC-B stages, a multimodal approach should be applied, including differential use and a rational combination of regional chemotherapy and resection techniques, taking into account the functional state of the liver.


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