Role of B-mode ultrasound screening in detection of local XXXX recurrence in the first year after radiofrequency ablation in the liver.

@entity1 @entity788 @entity96 @entity5 @entity201 @entity3 @entity157 @entity99
BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is known to be useful in imaging radiofrequency ablation (RFA) lesions intra- and postoperatively. The presented study intends to prove the value of ultrasound examination as a means of screening RFA-treated @entity1 for local @entity5 recurrence. @entity1 AND METHODS: During a period of 47 months, 91 RFA treatments were performed in 61 @entity1 in a single institution. Indications for RFA were @entity157 (74%), colorectal metastases (18%), recurrent @entity201 (5%) and one @entity5 @entity3 as well as one @entity3 of @entity788 (1.5% each). RFA was only considered in non-resectable @entity96 . All applications were conducted under sonographic guidance following preoperative evaluation. Postoperative screening included sonographic examinations at intervals of 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, and further annual follow-up examinations. Mean follow-up period was 11.8 months. RESULTS: Within the first 12 months after treatment, the lesions become more and more inhomogenous with mixed echogeneity. Occasionally, this evolves as a misleading finding, mimicking early @entity5 recurrence. To clarify suspicious cases (31%), magnetic resonance imaging (20%) or computed tomography (10%) was engaged. Ultrasound led to the detection of local @entity5 recurrence in 78% of recurrent @entity157 (13 @entity1 ), but only in 67% of metastatic diseases (3 @entity1 ). Overall local recurrence rate was 18%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound screening as a follow-up of primary @entity99 is, due to its sensitivity, capable of detecting early local recurrence despite its low specifity. Appropriate application of particular criteria of local recurrence allows B-mode ultrasound to play a major role in screening RFA-treated @entity1 .
