Perfluorobutane contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: a new standard for ultrasonography-guided thermal ablation of sonographically occult liver tumours?

Abstract

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The use of medical imaging methods for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer

“…This may be explained by the widespread use in this region of Sonazoid, a contrast agent based on microspheres with perfluorobutane developed in 2007 (Daiichi Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan). In contrast to Levovist® (Shering, Berlin, Germany), SonoVie® (Bracco Imaging, Milan, Italy) contrast agents, which enhance blood vessels directly and have a rather short time window (the most informative arterial phase lasts from about 30 to 50 seconds after injection), Sonazoid also actively phagocytoses cells of the reticuloendothelial system and has an additional "Kupffer" phase of contrast (approximately 10 minutes after injection), on which liver tumours or liver metastases appear as accumulation defects against the background of enhanced surrounding parenchyma, as the number of Kupffer cells in tumours is much lower, which simplifies the positioning of the applicator [8].…”

The Role of Percutaneous Ablation in the Management of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastatic Disease

“…Mauri et al have shown that intra-procedural CEUS seems to reduce cost per treated patient and hospital budget, allowing for immediate assessment of ablation results and reducing the number of subsequent ablations [27]. An alternative to the existing CEUS applications may be perfluorobutane contrast-enhanced ultrasonography that enables tumor visibility as discrete hypoechoic lesions [28].…”