Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS): an Excellent Tool in the Follow-up of Small Renal Masses Treated with Cryoablation

Strict imaging follow-up is mandatory after cryoablation of small renal masses (SRMs). Although it uses ionizing radiation and nephrotoxic iodinated contrast, computed tomography (CT) is still the gold standard test. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a novel technique that informs in real time about renal perfusion avoiding radiation and nephrotoxicity. The objective of this study is to compare outcomes between CEUS and CT in the follow-up of SRMs treated with cryoablation, as well as to assess degree of agreement between them. This is a prospective observational study (May 2012 to December 2013) comparing CEUS and CT in 16 patients with SRMs cryoablated. The on-going protocol of the study includes a CT and CEUS 3 months after treatment and then every 6 months during 5 years. Local relapse was defined as the presence of contrast enhancement in the mass. All the CEUS were performed by a single experienced observer (E.S.). Degree of agreement was measured with kappa index. CEUS detected contrast enhancement in three patients (3/16, 18.8 %) and CT in two patients (2/16, 12.5 %). Degree of agreement between CEUS and CT, according to Landis-Koch classification, was 0.76 (CI 0.33–1.19; p = 0.0165), which is excellent and higher than expected by random. Sensitivity of the test is 93.75 % (15/16). Median time of follow-up after cryoablation is 22 months (15.5–36.5). CEUS has an excellent agreement with CT and a high sensitivity in the follow-up of SRMs treated with cryosurgery, demonstrating its usefulness. Due to these encouraging results, it could become a reference test in the near future for monitoring SRMs after ablative treatment.