Local ablation therapy with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for hepatocellular carcinoma: a practical review.
- Author:
Tae Kyoung KIM
1
;
Korosh KHALILI
;
Hyun Jung JANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Liver neoplasms; Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Ultrasonography; Contrast media
- MeSH: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*; Contrast Media; Diagnosis; Liver Neoplasms; Patient Compliance; Radiation, Ionizing; Ultrasonography*
- From: Ultrasonography 2015;34(4):235-245
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: A successful program for local ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) requires extensive imaging support for diagnosis and localization of HCC, imaging guidance for the ablation procedures, and post-treatment monitoring. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) has several advantages over computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI), including real-time imaging capability, sensitive detection of arterial-phase hypervascularity and washout, no renal excretion, no ionizing radiation, repeatability, excellent patient compliance, and relatively low cost. CEUS is useful for image guidance for isoechoic lesions. While contrast-enhanced CT/MRI is the standard method for the diagnosis of HCC and post-ablation monitoring, CEUS is useful when CT/MRI findings are indeterminate or CT/MRI is contraindicated. This article provides a practical review of the role of CEUS in imaging algorithms for pre- and post-ablation therapy for HCC.
