Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: The feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid for evaluating the ablative margin

Preablation three-dimensional ultrasonography can predict therapeutic effect and local tumor progression after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To assess the agreement between ablative margin (AM) predicted by preablation three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US) and AM measured on postablation computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance (MR) images.

METHODS

Sixty patients with 73 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules were enrolled. 3D-US data were collected immediately after puncture by the electrode before ablation. The maximum distance from the electrode to the edge of the tumor in the plane perpendicular to the electrode (C-plane) was defined as "a" and the diameter of the ablation zone as "b". We classified predicted AM into "0.5b - a" ≥0 mm as AM(+) or <0 mm as AM(-), and "0.5b - a" ≥3 mm or <3 mm.

RESULTS

Forty-eight nodules (66 %) were visualized in the C-plane. There was an agreement between the predicted and measured AMs for 39 (81 %) of the 48 nodules. Local tumor progression was observed in 3 (7%) of 43 nodules with predicted AM(+) and in 2 (40 %) of 5 nodules with predicted AM(-) but was not observed in any of 21 nodules with predicted AM ≥ 3 mm. The local tumor progression rate was significantly lower for nodules with predicted AM(+) compared with predicted AM(-)(p = 0.03), and for nodules with predicted AM ≥ 3 mm compared with predicted AM < 3 mm (p = 0.04). Local progression was detected in 2 (4.7 %) of 42 nodules with a sufficient AM (≥0 mm) on postablation CT/MR images and in 5 (83.3 %) of 6 nodules with an insufficient AM (<0 mm); the difference in progression rate was significant (p = 0.0008).

CONCLUSION

3D-US allows prediction of the AM before radiofrequency ablation.

Evaluation of the ablation margin of hepatocellular carcinoma using CEUS-CT/MR image fusion in a phantom model and in patients

Background

To assess the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-CT/MR image fusion in evaluating the radiofrequency ablative margin (AM) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on a custom-made phantom model and in HCC patients.

Methods

Twenty-four phantoms were randomly divided into a complete ablation group (n = 6) and an incomplete ablation group (n = 18). After radiofrequency ablation (RFA), the AM was evaluated using ultrasound (US)-CT image fusion, and the results were compared with the AM results that were directly measured in a gross specimen. CEUS-CT/MR image fusion and CT-CT / MR-MR image fusion were used to evaluate the AM in 37 tumors from 33 HCC patients who underwent RFA.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of US-CT image fusion for evaluating AM in the phantom model were 93.8, 85.7 and 91.3%, respectively. The maximal thicknesses of the residual AM were 3.5 ± 2.0 mm and 3.2 ± 2.0 mm in the US-CT image fusion and gross specimen, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the US-CT image fusion and direct measurements of the AM of HCC. In the clinical study, the success rate of the AM evaluation was 100% for both CEUS-CT/MR and CT-CT/MR-MR, and the duration was 8.5 ± 2.8 min (range: 4–12 min) and 13.5 ± 4.5 min (range: 8–16 min) for CEUS-CT/MR and CT-CT/MR-MR, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CEUS-CT/MR imaging for evaluating the AM were 100.0, 80.0, and 90.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

A phantom model composed of carrageenan gel and additives was suitable for the evaluation of HCC AM. CEUS-CT/MR image fusion can be used to evaluate HCC AM with high accuracy.

Feasibility of Extracted-Overlay Fusion Imaging for Intraoperative Treatment Evaluation of Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Extracted-overlay fusion imaging is a novel computed tomography/magnetic resonance-ultrasonography (CT/MR-US) imaging technique in which a target tumor with a virtual ablative margin is extracted from CT/MR volume data and synchronously overlaid on US images. We investigated the applicability of the technique to intraoperative evaluation of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 85 HCCs treated with RFA using extracted-overlay fusion imaging for guidance and evaluation. To perform RFA, an electrode was inserted targeting the tumor and a virtual 5-mm ablative margin overlaid on the US image. Following ablation, contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) was performed to assess the ablative margin, and the minimal ablative margins were categorized into three groups: (I) margin <0 mm (protrusion), (II) margin 0 to <5 mm, and (III) margin ≥5 mm. Margin assessment was based on the positional relationship between the overlaid tumor plus margin and the perfusion defect of the ablation zone. Tumors in group I underwent repeat ablation until they were in groups II or III. The final classifications were compared with those obtained by retrospectively created fusion images of pre- and post-RFA CT or MR imaging (CT-CT/MR-MR fusion imaging).

RESULTS

Treatment evaluation was impossible using CEUS in six HCCs because the tumors were located far below the body surface. Of the remaining 79 HCCs, the categorizations of minimal ablative margins between CEUS extracted-overlay fusion imaging and CT-CT/MR-MR fusion imaging were in agreement for 72 tumors (91.1%) (Cohen's quadratic-weighted kappa coefficient 0.66, good agreement, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Extracted-overlay fusion imaging combined with CEUS is feasible for the evaluation of RFA and enables intraoperative treatment evaluation without the need to perform contrast-enhanced CT.

Improvement of ablative margins by the intraoperative use of CEUS-CT/MR image fusion in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To assess whether intraoperative use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-CT/MR image fusion can accurately evaluate ablative margin (AM) and guide supplementary ablation to improve AM after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ablation.

METHODS

Ninety-eight patients with 126 HCCs designated to undergo thermal ablation treatment were enrolled in this prospective study. CEUS-CT/MR image fusion was performed intraoperatively to evaluate whether 5-mm AM was covered by the ablative area. If possible, supplementary ablation was applied at the site of inadequate AM. The CEUS image quality, the time used for CEUS-CT/MR image fusion and the success rate of image fusion were recorded. Local tumor progression (LTP) was observed during follow-up. Clinical factors including AM were examined to identify risk factors for LTP.

RESULTS

The success rate of image fusion was 96.2% (126/131), and the duration required for image fusion was 4.9 ± 2.0 (3-13) min. The CEUS image quality was good in 36.1% (53/147) and medium in 63.9% (94/147) of the cases. By supplementary ablation, 21.8% (12/55) of lesions with inadequate AMs became adequate AMs. During follow-up, there were 5 LTPs in lesions with inadequate AMs and 1 LTP in lesions with adequate AMs. Multivariate analysis showed that AM was the only independent risk factor for LTP (hazard ratio, 9.167; 95% confidence interval, 1.070-78.571; p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

CEUS-CT/MR image fusion is feasible for intraoperative use and can serve as an accurate method to evaluate AMs and guide supplementary ablation to lower inadequate AMs.

Clinical usefulness of the ablative margin assessed by magnetic resonance imaging with Gd-EOB-DTPA for radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of ablative margin (AM) grading by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with Gd-EOB-DTPA administered prior to radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and to identify factors for achieving a sufficient AM and predictors for local tumor progression.

METHODS

A total of 124 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were treated by RFA after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration. MRI and enhanced CT were performed within seven hours and one month after RFA. The AM assessment was categorized using three grades: AM (+), low-intensity area with continuous high-intensity rim; AM zero, low-intensity area with discontinuous high-intensity rim; and AM (-), low-intensity area extends beyond the high-intensity rim. Patients were followed and local tumor progression was observed.

RESULTS

AM (+), AM zero, AM (-), and indeterminate were found in 34, 33, 26, and 31 nodules, respectively. The overall agreement rate between MRI and enhanced CT for the diagnosis of AM was 56.8%. The κ coefficient was 0.326 (p<0.001), indicating moderate agreement. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a significant factor for the achievement of AM (+) on MRI was no contiguous vessels. The cumulative local tumor progression rates (0% at 1, 2, and 3 years) in 33 AM (+) nodules were significantly lower than those (3.6%, 11.5%, and 18.3% at 1, 2, and 3 years respectively) in 32 AM zero nodules. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model identified tumor size as an independent predictor for local tumor progression.

CONCLUSION

Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRI enabled an early assessment of RFA effectiveness in the majority ofHCC nodules. Local tumor progression was not detected in AM (+) nodules during the follow-up.

Volume comparison of radiofrequency ablation at 3- and 5-cm target volumes for four different radiofrequency generators: MR volumetry in an open 1-T MRI system versus macroscopic measurement

INTRODUCTION

In a patient, it is usually not macroscopically possible to estimate the non-viable volume induced by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) after the procedure. The purpose of this study was to use an ex vivo bovine liver model to perform magnetic resonance (MR) volumetry of the visible tissue signal change induced by RFA and to correlate the MR measurement with the actual macroscopic volume measured in the dissected specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-four liver specimens cut from 16 bovine livers were ablated under constant simulated, close physiological conditions with target volumes set to 14.14 ml (3-cm lesion) and 65.45 ml (5-cm lesion). Four commercially available radiofrequency (RF) systems were tested (n=16 for each system; n=8 for 3 cm and n=8 for 5 cm). A T1-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence with inversion recovery and a proton-density (PD)-weighted TSE sequence were acquired in a 1.0-T open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. After manual dissection, actual macroscopic ablation diameters were measured and volumes calculated. MR volumetry was performed using a semiautomatic software tool. To validate the correctness and feasibility of the volume formula in macroscopic measurements, MR multiplanar reformation diameter measurements with subsequent volume calculation and semiautomatic MR volumes were correlated.

RESULTS

Semiautomatic MR volumetry yielded smaller volumes than manual measurement after dissection, irrespective of RF system used, target lesion size, and MR sequence. For the 3-cm lesion, only 43.3% (T1) and 41.5% (PD) of the entire necrosis are detectable. For the 5-cm lesion, only 40.8% (T1) and 37.2% (PD) are visualized in MRI directly after intervention. The correlation between semiautomatic MR volumes and calculated MR volumes was 0.888 for the T1-weighted sequence and 0.875 for the PD sequence.

CONCLUSION

After correlation of semiautomatic MR volumes and calculated MR volumes, it seems reasonable to use the respective volume formula for macroscopic volume calculation. Hyperacute MRI after ex vivo intervention may result in the underestimation of the real expansion of the produced necrosis zone. This must be kept in mind when using MRI for validating ablation success directly after RFA. One reason for the discrepancy between macroscopic and MRI appearance immediately after RFA may be that the transitional zone shows no or only partially visible MR signal change.

Assessment of ablative margin by unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without a contrast agent to visualize the ablative margin after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), compared with enhanced CT.

METHODS

Twenty-five HCCs in 19 patients were treated by RFA. T1-weighted MRI was performed before and after RFA, and the signal intensities of the tumors and surrounding liver tissues were measured. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on three grades: margin (+), a continuous high-intensity rim around the index tumor; margin zero, a partially discontinuous high-intensity rim; margin (-), the tumor extends beyond the high-intensity rim.

RESULTS

Twelve (86%) of fourteen low-intensity tumors on the pre-MRI were visualized as low-intensity tumors on post-MRI, and the ablative margins were visualized as high-intensity rims. Two (67%) of three high-intensity tumors on pre-MRI were visualized as higher-intensity tumors in the high-intensity ablative margin. Because the signal intensities of tumors and surrounding tissues in 14 tumors that were low- or high-intensity tumors on pre-MRI increased to the same extent, the tumors and ablative margin could be distinguished on post images. In 6 (75%) of the 8 iso-intensity tumors on pre-MRI, the ablative margin and tumor could also not be discriminated on post-MRI. The overall agreement between MRI and CT for the ablative margin was good (κ coefficient=0.716, p=0.00002).

CONCLUSION

In 82% of low- or high-intensity tumors on pre-MRI, post-MRI without a contrast agent enabled visualization of the ablative margin as a high-intensity rim, and it was possible to evaluate the ablative margin earlier and easier than with enhanced CT.