Virtual sonographic radiofrequency ablation of XXXX visualized on CT but not on conventional sonography.

@entity1 @entity157
OBJECTIVE: Some nodules cannot be visualized clearly on conventional sonography but can be visualized on CT. In the present study, we evaluated the usefulness of real-time percutaneous ablation therapy under virtual sonographic guidance for these nodules. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In vitro experiments were performed with gelatin gel to evaluate the accuracy of virtual sonography. We also studied 50 @entity1 with 58 @entity157 nodules, of whom 18 @entity1 (21 nodules) underwent radiofrequency ablation by virtual sonography. This was the initial treatment for seven of these @entity1 and an additional treatment for 11 @entity1 . Thirty-two @entity1 (37 nodules) received radiofrequency ablation without virtual imaging. The @entity1 receiving standard radiofrequency ablation were retrospectively selected as the historical control group under the same conditions as the study group. RESULTS: The in vitro gelatin gel study revealed that all punctures had been performed accurately. In both the initial-treatment group and the additional-treatment group, the mean number of treatments with virtual sonography was significantly lower than that without virtual sonography (p = 0.003 for both groups). The rates of local recurrence and complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of nodules not depicted on sonography, radiofrequency ablation assisted by virtual sonography is an efficacious alternative.
