Contrast enhanced ultrasound applied for evaluation of high intensity focused ultrasound in treatment of rabbit VX2 liver cancer model

Objective To explore the variation features of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) quantitative parameters and its correlation with tumor microvessel density(MVD),after the treatment of living liver cancer using high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU). Methods A group of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were made into VX2 liver cancer models, that were randomly divided into control group (n=15, not HIFU treatment) and treatment group (n=15, HIFU treatment). CEUS was performed, then obtaining ascending slope(AS),arrival time(AT),time-to-peak(TTP),peak intensity(PI),area under curve(AUC). And correlation analysis was performed with MVD obtained by immune histochemical method. Results Compared with those in the control group,AS,PI,AUC were significantly decreased in treatment group (P<0.05) and so was MVD (P<0.05). AT,TTP were significantly delayed than those in the control group (P<0.05). The AS, PI, AUC of CEUS quantitative parameters were positively correlated with MVD (P<0.05). The AT, TTP respectively showed a negative correlation with MVD (P<0.05). Conclusion CEUS quantitative parameters of liver cancer tissue have high correlation with MVD. It can reflect the microvessel structure change of the liver cancer tissue and help to judge the curative effect and prognosis of HIFU for liver cancer.