Zusammenfassung
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 ...
Zusammenfassung
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 ablation using 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 after percutaneous IRE of prostatic cancer tissue.