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MRI contrast enhancement of malignant liver tumours following successful cryoablation

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Abstract

Objectives

To assess the incidence and degree of MRI contrast enhancement in liver tumours following successful percutaneous cryoablation.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients with liver metastases (n = 29) or hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 9) underwent percutaneous cryoablation of 45 tumours between March 2004 and June 2009, with complete ablation zone coverage of the tumour and no local recurrence on follow-up imaging to date (range 3–60 months, mean 16). Contrast-enhanced MRI was used to assess 45 tumours at 24 h, 32 tumours at 2–4 months, and 21 tumours at 5–7 months. Percentage of tumours with contrast enhancement was assessed using dynamic spoiled gradient echo T1-weighted images.

Results

Twenty-four hours post-cryoablation, 23 out of 45 tumours (51%) enhanced compared with 42 out of 43 (98%) pre-ablation (p < 0.001). Mean percentage tumour enhancement decreased from 157% (range 26–745%) pre-ablation, to 107% (27–260%) at 24 h (p = 0.003), and 43% (24–103%) at 2–4 months (p < 0.001). The incidence and degree of tumour enhancement decreased through 5–7 months.

Conclusions

Unlike previously reported studies of radiofrequency ablation, successful cryoablation of liver tumours is often associated with persistent tumour contrast enhancement on MRI performed at 24 h and decreasing over 2–7 months.

Key Points

• Liver neoplasms often demonstrate MRI contrast enhancement following successful percutaneous cryoablation.

• This differs from radiofrequency ablation techniques where contrast enhancement suggests residual tumour

• This difference could potentially lead to important errors in follow up strategies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abdominal Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Paul B. Shyn, M. Raquel Oliva, Shaan H. Shah, Servet Tatli & Stuart G. Silverman

  2. Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Paul J. Catalano

Authors
  1. Paul B. Shyn
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  2. M. Raquel Oliva
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  3. Shaan H. Shah
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  4. Servet Tatli
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  5. Paul J. Catalano
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  6. Stuart G. Silverman
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Correspondence to Paul B. Shyn.

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Shyn, P.B., Oliva, M.R., Shah, S.H. et al. MRI contrast enhancement of malignant liver tumours following successful cryoablation. Eur Radiol 22, 398–403 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2254-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2254-8

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