Assessment of the ablated area after radiofrequency ablation by contrast-enhanced sonography; comparison with virtual sonography with magnetic navigation.

This study investigated whether contrast-enhanced sonography can accurately predict the ablated area by radiofrequency ablation using virtual sonography by computed tomography as a gold standard. Thirty-one hepatocellular carcinoma nodules were treated by radiofrequency ablation and then examined. The defect of contrast-enhanced sonography (puncture direction: r=.868, P<.0001; perpendicular direction; r=.925, P<.0001) was closely correlated with the unenhanced area of virtual sonography. Contrast-enhanced sonography can be used for early and accurate prediction of the ablated area and is helpful for assessing local control of radiofrequency ablation.