Assessment of ablative margin by Fusion Imaging combining contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with three-dimensional ultrasonography after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is regarded as the gold standard for assessing the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the efficacy of Fusion Imaging combining contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with three-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) vs CECT for assessing the ablative margin after RFA.Materials and Methods: The therapeutic responses in 5 patients with 7 HCC nodules were assessed by Fusion Imaging combining CEUS with 3DUS as well as by CECT. The efficacy of treatment was based on whether the safety margin was greater than 5 mm after RFA.Results: Of the 7 nodules, 6 had sufficient safety margins on Fusion Imaging combining CEUS with 3DUS. This was the same result as evaluation by CECT.Conclusion: Fusion Imaging combining CEUS with 3DUS is effective in assessing the ablative margin after RFA for HCC.