Enhanced Ablation of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound with Microbubbles: An Experimental Study on Rabbit Hepatic VX2 Tumors

Journal Article · Sat Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S00270-010-0052-3· OSTI ID:21608582

Wei, He; Ping, Zhou ^[1]; Wang, Yixiang J ^[2]; Peng, Zhou; Ruizhen, Li ^[1]; Jinsheng, Wang ^[3]; Ahuja, Anil T ^[2]

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1. Central South University, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, The Third Xiangya Hospital (China)
2. Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
3. Central South University, Department of Pathology, Xiangya Medical College (China)

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the enhanced effect of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation with microbubbles on rabbit hepatic VX2 tumors and to compare the detection sensitivity of CEUS and CECT to determine the residual viable tissue after ablation of HIFU. Methods: Forty rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumors were randomly separated into two groups (20 animals per group) before HIFU ablation. A bolus of 0.2 mL of saline or a microbubble-based ultrasound (US) contrast agent was injected intravenously to group I rabbits and group II rabbits, respectively. The HIFU ablation procedure was started 15 s after the injection. Tumors were examined with grayscale contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) immediately before and after HIFU ablation. Histopathologic assessment was performed immediately after treatment imaging. Results: Before ablation, intense contrast enhancement during arterial phase was observed at the whole tumors or the periphery of the tumors by CEUS and CECT. Lower HIFU energy was used in group II than in group I (P < 0.001). Histopathologic assessment revealed local residual viable tumor tissues due to incomplete ablation in 47.4% (9/19) of tumors in group I and 10% (2/20) of tumors in group II (P < 0.05). The concordance rate of CEUS (90.9%) with histopathology on residual tumor detection was higher than that of CECT (27.3%, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Introduction of the microbubble agent enhances HIFU therapeutic efficacy. CEUS proves to have high sensitivity in assessment of residual viable rabbit VX2 tumor after HIFU.

• OSTI ID: 21608582
• Journal Information: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Journal Name: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 34; ISSN 0174-1551; ISSN CAIRDG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ABLATION
ANIMALS
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DETECTION
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
GLANDS
LIVER
MAMMALS
NEOPLASMS
ORGANS
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SENSITIVITY
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