Abstract
PURPOSE:
To evaluate the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) after irreversible electroporation (IRE) of prostatic cancer tissue to assess the ablation status by depicting microvascularisation in the ablation area.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Retrospective evaluation of CEUS of 13 patients (mean age: 61.4 ± 7.5 years) with histologically confirmed prostatic cancer who underwent percutaneous IRE. In the course of clinical routine, the tumor lesions were documented before, immediately after, and 1 day after the ablationusing color-coded transabdominal and transrectal CEUS. The obtained image data (DICOM loops and images) were subsequently evaluated by 2 experienced radiologists and assessed with regard to micro vascularisation by means of a 5-point scale.
RESULTS:
CEUS images showed significantly reduced microcirculation of the lesions (mean 0.9 ± 0.6 cm (0.5–1.5 cm) after IRE. Microcirculation was reduced from 2.15 ± 0.56 prior to ablation to 0.65 ± 0.63 (p < 0.001) immediately after the ablation and to 0.27 ± 0.44 one day after IRE (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION:
This study showed rapid and significant reduction of the microcirculation in the ablation area afterpercutaneous IRE of prostatic cancer tissue.
Keywords
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