Effects of microbubble-enhanced ultrasound combined with prothrombin on microwave ablation in rabbit VX2 liver tumor.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate effects of microbubble-enhanced ultrasound (MEUS) combined with prothrombin on microwave ablation (MWA) on VX2 liver tumors in a rabbit model.

Methods: 80 rabbits with VX2 liver tumors were randomly divided into Group A (sham + NS), Group B (sham + NS + P), Group C (MEUS), and Group D (PMEUS). After treatment, targeted liver tumors were ablated with MWA. On 0, 3, 7 and 14 d, volume of coagulated area was measured. Tissues in ablated area, transition area and surrounding area were collected.

Results: On 0, 3, 7 and 14 d, coagulated volume in Group D was larger than remaining three groups (<0.05). On 7 d and 14 d, tumor volume in Group D was smaller than remaining three groups (<0.05). Fibrotic band in Group D was wider than in remaining three groups (<0.05). Cellular ultrastructure injury in ablated area on 0 d and mitochondrial injury in transition area on 7 d were more severe in Group D than in remaining three groups. On 0, 3, 7 and 14 d, proliferative cellular nuclear antigen-positive index in transition area in Group C and Group D was lower than Group A and Group B (<0.05). On 0, 3 and 7 d, apoptosis index in transition area in Group D was higher than remaining three groups (<0.05).

Conclusions: MEUS combined with prothrombin on MWA can significantly expand ablation volume, enhance the necrosis of ablated tissues, inhibit tumor growth/metastasis and improve therapeutic effect of MWA on rabbit VX2 liver tumors.