Precise liver tumor ablation: the clinical potential of US-US overlay fusion guidance

Minami, Yasunori

doi:.0.0.0

Review Article

Precise liver tumor ablation: the clinical potential of US-US overlay fusion guidance

Yasunori Minami

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan https://doi.org/10.14366/usg.24133 eISSN

Corresponding Author: Yasunori Minami ,Tel: +81-72-366-0221 (ext, Fax: +81-72-367-2880, Email: minkun@med.kindai.ac.jp

Received: July 18, 2024; Accepted: August 13, 2024. Published online: August 13, 2024.

ABSTRACT

Image-guided thermal ablation is a minimally invasive option for patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the risk of local recurrence remains substantial because ultrasound (US) artifacts have a negative impact on the assessment of ablative margins during and immediately after ablation. Precise, real-time assessment of the ablation zone is key to reducing the risk of local tumor progression. With the advent of US image fusion technology, ablative margins can now be assessed three-dimensionally with greater accuracy. Therefore, US-US overlay fusion guidance has the potential to improve the local controllability of ablation in patients with HCC. This review discusses the US-US fusion guidance technique and its current clinical applications for hepatic interventions, with descriptions of its concept, methodology, and efficacy.

Keywords: Ablation techniques; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver; Ultrasonography