Accuracy of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Post TACE

Phase 4

Completed

Brief Summary: The purpose of this research study is to find out if a different type of imaging study called contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is as good as, or better than CT or MRI in patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after receiving TACE treatment

Detailed Description: This is a prospective trial to determine if contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is non-inferior to CT or MRI in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) treatments. All patients will receive standard of care CT/MRI and will also get a contrast ultrasound to directly compare.

Timepoint 0- Our proposed study population includes subjects with diagnosed HCC, who are treated with TACE. Patients will be identified and enrolled at the time of initial TACE.

Timepoint 1- Following initial TACE, patients will receive a CT or MRI, as routinely ordered in the post-TACE setting, to assess for residual or new HCC. At this same imaging follow-up visit, patients will also receive a one-time additional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Timepoint 2- Per standard clinical care, patients typically return for repeat imaging (CT/MRI) within 2-4 months following the first imaging visit.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Adult (≥18 years of age) patients with diagnosed HCC (via imaging, biopsy, or combination of imaging and biochemical markers), who are treated with their first round of TACE.
Sex: male or female
BMI ≤ 40

Exclusion Criteria

Children (<18), pregnant patients
Patients who do not speak English
Patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to sulfur hexafluoride lipid microsphere components or to any of the inactive ingredients in Lumason.
Patients with unstable cardiopulmonary conditions (acute myocardial infarction, acute coronary artery syndromes, worsening or unstable congestive heart failure, or serious ventricular arrhythmias)
Patients who have a prior non-contrast ultrasound, within last 3 months (at time of consent), where the tumor could not be seen - most commonly due to severe steatosis or obesity.
Pregnant or nursing woman
Patients who do not plan to get their follow-up CT/MRI at Hershey Medical Center.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
group-1	Lumason	Following treatment, patients will receive their standard CT or MRI, as routinely ordered in the post-TACE setting. This imaging will be per standard protocol, as directed by hepatology or oncology services, often 2 to 4 months after the treatment. At the same visit, patients will also receive a one-time additional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS),

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
No Viable Disease on CT/MRI Imaging.	2-4 months post-TACE	Number of lesions with no viable disease identified on CT/MRI imaging. Non-viable disease is defined as no enhancement within the lesion using CT/MRI.
Residual Disease on CEUS Imaging.	2-4 months post TACE	Number of lesions with residual disease identified on CEUS imaging. Residual disease is defined as enhancement within the lesion using CEUS.
No Viable Disease on CEUS Imaging.	2-4 months post-TACE	Number of lesions with no viable disease identified on CEUS imaging. Non-viable disease is defined as no enhancement within the lesion using CEUS.
Residual Disease on CT/MRI Imaging	2-4 months post-TACE	Number of lesions with residual disease identified on CT/MRI imaging. Residual disease is defined as enhancement within the lesion using CT/MRI.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Lesions Missed or Miscategorized on CEUS Imaging.	4-8 months post-TACE	Number of lesions missed or miscategorized on CEUS imaging.
Lesions Missed or Miscategorized on CT/MRI Imaging.	4-8 months post-TACE	Number of lesions missed or miscategorized on CT/MRI imaging.