Percutaneous irreversible electroporation (IRE) of prostate cancer: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) findings during follow up.

PURPOSE: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a focal non-thermal ablation technique that can be used to treat prostate cancer (Pca). The objective was to document the evolution of the volume of the prostate gland and the ablation zone after IRE of Pca.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the image findings of CEUS 1 day, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after IRE of 25 patients was conducted. The prostate gland volumes and the size of the ablation zones were documented. Changes in volume and size over time were calculated.
RESULTS: There was a significant volume reduction of the prostate gland in the first 3 months after ablation. The mean percentage change after 6 weeks was 34.3% with another decrease of 35.0% after 3 months. Volume did not change between month 3 and 6. Size of ablation zone measured in short- and long-axis significantly diminished until 6 months after ablation.
CONCLUSION: CEUS showed a significant involution of the prostate gland during the first 3 months and a significant decrease of the ablation zone during the first 6 months after IRE of prostate cancer.