[Doppler sonographic monitoring control of perfusion of hepatocellular carcinoma after arterial chemoembolization]

Abstract

Introduction: 22 patients with hepato-cellular carcinomas were examined sonographically before and after intra-arterial chemo-embolisation. The aim was to evaluate different techniques for judging tumour morphology and for assessing changes in perfusion.

Material and methods: The morphological appearances and perfusion changes were analysed by means of colour coded duplex sonography and power Doppler sonography before and after intravenous contrast medium. Pulsatility (Pl) and resistance index (RI) were used as quantitative parameters for judging changes in perfusion.

Results: In 13 patients intra-tumoral arteries were identified by duplex sonography and in four patients only by the power Doppler procedure. In three patients arterial vessels could only be identified after intravenous contrast. In 9 patients it was possible to document a reduction in arterial perfusion following embolisation. The indices calculated from these findings gave no prognostic indication.

Discussion: The methods described give information concerning changes in perfusion of a tumour following chemo-embolisation and, in conjunction with CT and clinical findings, provide indications for further tumour embolisation.