<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_raon-2018-0041_s_006_w2aab3b7b8b1b6b1aab1c19b1Aa"><h3>Background</h3><p>The aim of the study was to characterize ultrasonographic (US) findings during and after electrochem-otherapy of liver tumors to determine the actual ablation zone and to verify the coverage of the treated tumor with a sufficiently strong electric field for effective electrochemotherapy.</p></sec><sec id="j_raon-2018-0041_s_007_w2aab3b7b8b1b6b1aab1c19b2Aa"><h3>Patients and methods</h3><p>US findings from two representative patients that describe immediate and delayed tumor changes after electrochemotherapy of colorectal liver metastases are presented.</p></sec><sec id="j_raon-2018-0041_s_008_w2aab3b7b8b1b6b1aab1c19b3Aa"><h3>Results</h3><p>The US findings were interrelated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Electrochemotherapy-treated tumors were exposed to electric pulses based on computational treatment planning. The US findings indicate immediate appearance of hyperechogenic microbubbles along the electrode tracks. Within minutes, the tumors became evenly hyperechogenic, and simultaneously, an oedematous rim was formed presenting as a hypoechogenic formation which persisted for several hours after treatment. The US findings overlapped with computed electric field distribution in the treated tissue, indicating adequate coverage of tumors with sufficiently strong electric field, which may predict an effective treatment outcome.</p></sec><sec id="j_raon-2018-0041_s_009_w2aab3b7b8b1b6b1aab1c19b4Aa"><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>US provides a tool for assessment of appropriate electrode insertion for intraoperative electrochemo-therapy of liver tumors and assessment of the appropriate coverage of a tumor with a sufficiently strong electric field and can serve as predictor of the response of tumors.</p></sec></abstract>

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to characterize ultrasonographic (US) findings during and after electrochem-otherapy of liver tumors to determine the actual ablation zone and to verify the coverage of the treated tumor with a sufficiently strong electric field for effective electrochemotherapy.Patients and methodsUS findings from two representative patients that describe immediate and delayed tumor changes after electrochemotherapy of colorectal liver metastases are presented.ResultsThe US findings were interrelated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Electrochemotherapy-treated tumors were exposed to electric pulses based on computational treatment planning. The US findings indicate immediate appearance of hyperechogenic microbubbles along the electrode tracks. Within minutes, the tumors became evenly hyperechogenic, and simultaneously, an oedematous rim was formed presenting as a hypoechogenic formation which persisted for several hours after treatment. The US findings overlapped with computed electric field distribution in the treated tissue, indicating adequate coverage of tumors with sufficiently strong electric field, which may predict an effective treatment outcome.ConclusionsUS provides a tool for assessment of appropriate electrode insertion for intraoperative electrochemo-therapy of liver tumors and assessment of the appropriate coverage of a tumor with a sufficiently strong electric field and can serve as predictor of the response of tumors.

Ultrasonographic changes in the liver tumors as indicators of adequate tumor coverage with electric field for effective electrochemotherapy

Radiology and Oncology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to characterize ultrasonographic (US) findings during and after electrochem-otherapy of liver tumors to determine the actual...

Ultrasonographic changes in the liver tumors as indicators of adequate tumor coverage with electric field for effective electrochemotherapy

Article Category: Research Article

Published Online: Oct 18, 2018

Page range: 383 - 391

Received: Sep 03, 2018

Accepted: Oct 04, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2018-0041

Keywords
electrochemotherapy, ultrasound, treatment plan, colorectal liver metastases

© 2018 Nina Boc, Ibrahim Edhemovic, Bor Kos, Maja M. Music, Erik Brecelj, Blaz Trotovsek, Masa Bosnjak, Mihajlo Djokic, Damijan Miklavcic, Maja Cemazar, Gregor Sersa, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Ultrasonographic changes in the liver tumors as indicators of adequate tumor coverage with electric field for effective electrochemotherapy

Article Category: Research Article

Published Online: Oct 18, 2018

Page range: 383 - 391

Received: Sep 03, 2018

Accepted: Oct 04, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2018-0041

Keywordselectrochemotherapy, ultrasound, treatment plan, colorectal liver metastases

© 2018 Nina Boc, Ibrahim Edhemovic, Bor Kos, Maja M. Music, Erik Brecelj, Blaz Trotovsek, Masa Bosnjak, Mihajlo Djokic, Damijan Miklavcic, Maja Cemazar, Gregor Sersa, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
electrochemotherapy, ultrasound, treatment plan, colorectal liver metastases