Ecografía con contraste de segunda generación (SonoVue®) en la valoración del tratamiento percutáneo del carcinoma hepatocelular. Comparación con la TC multifásica

Objective: To determine the efficacy of ultrasonography using second-generation contrast agents (CUS) in the evaluation of percutaneous treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), both for early evaluation (< 24 hours) and for evaluation one month after treatment. Likewise, the usefulness of computerized tomography (CT) for evaluation immediately after treatment, to date controversial, is assessed. Material and methods: A total of 30 patients with small-sized HCC without indications for surgery treated by radiofrequency ablation or alcohol injection were included in the study. All patients underwent CUS (using special contrast software and low mechanical index) and multiphase CT prior to treatment, within 24 hours of treatment, and one month after treatment. CT findings one month after treatment were taken as the gold standard. Findings at CUS and CT examination within 24 hours of treatment and CUS findings at one month were compared with the gold standard. Results: CT performed one month after percutaneous treatment found a complete response in 22 of the 30 patients. Comparison of CUS and CT findings within 24 hours of treatment with the gold standard yielded the following results: (CUS/CT) Sensitivity (S) = 12.5/28.5%, specificity (SP) = 95.4/95.4%, diagnostic yield (DY) = 73.3/79.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) = 50/66%, negative predictive value (NPV) = 75/80.6%. The results of CUS performed one month after treatment were : S = 87.5%, SP = 95.4%, DY = 93.3%, PPV = 87.5% and NPV = 95.4%. Conclusion: CUS and CT performed within 24 hours of treatment are of little use in detecting tumor persistence immediately after treatment. Given the good results obtained using CUS one month after treatment, this technique could substitute CT to assess the need for retreatment.