Prospective Analysis of Value of Contrast-enhanced Sonography During Biopsies of Focal Liver Masses
Phase: PHASE4
Conditions: Liver Biopsy
Sponsor: Indiana University

 
08-24-16 
Prospective analysis of value of contrast-enhanced sonography during 
biopsies of focal liver masses 
 
Principal investigator:  Kumar Sandrasegaran, M.D.  
Radiology and Imaging Sciences 
 
Aim 
 
To compare complication and success rates between two methods of ultrasound guidance for 
biopsy of liver lesions, contrast-enhanced and our current protocol without contrast. 
 
Rationale 
 
As a major oncology and hepatology center, we perform about 3-5 guided biopsies for liver 
tumors weekly. Ultrasound is the preferred modality for imaging biopsies due to its ability to 
visualize and position the biopsy needle in real time with high accuracy and safety, is 
nonionizing, and is quicker compared to other techniques, especially CT-guided biopsies. The 
failure rate of ultrasound guided liver biopsies (including cases where biopsy was declined to be 
performed due to lack of lesion visibility) is about 10%. By comparison, in our practice 
genotyping of metastatic tumors, with multiple core biopsies, is often requested for entry into 
oncology trials, and failure of tumor genotyping after biopsy is estimated to be about 30% (1).  
 
Recently,  the first ultrasound contrast agent was FDA-approved for characterization of liver 
lesions [sulfur hexafluoride lipid-type A microspheres (Lumason, Bracco Diagnostics, Monroe 
Township, NJ)] (2). The microbubble agent is deemed safe, including in cardiac failure patients 
and those with chronic airway obstruction (3, 4). Injecting microbubbles may allow better 
visualization of lesions and adjacent vasculature by enhancing the microvasculature and adjacent 
vessels and potentially reduce incidence of failed biopsy or bleeding complications. In addition, 
determination of necrotic regions in a lesion may allow better direction of biopsy (5, 6). 
 
Yet there is limited literature on the use of ultrasound contrast agents for improving targeted 
liver biopsies (7, 8). We intend to prospectively assess the non-diagnostic biopsy and 
complication rates in a group of patients who undergo contrast-enhanced ultrasonography 
(CEUS) using microbubbles at the time of biopsy.  We will then compare the results from this 
group with the failure and complication rate from a control group of patients undergoing the 
standard US-guided biopsy procedure.  Over 12 months we expect to perform approximately 200 
biopsies. Power analysis suggests that 125 patients in both contrast-enhanced sonography and 
control groups, each, are required. We should be able to enroll sufficient patients in 18 months. 
 
Performance site 
 
University Hospital 
Methodist Hospital 
 
Patient selection 
 
Inclusion criteria 

 
08-24-16 
 
1.  Males and females 
2. Age 18 years or greater 
3. Scheduled to undergo liver biopsy with ultrasound guidance at a performance site 
 
Exclusion criterion 
 
1.  Liver biopsy is not intended to obtain tissue from a specific lesion 
2. Known or suspected cardiac shunt 
3. History of hypersensitivity to any active or inactive ingredients in Lumason 
 
Methods 
A radiology investigator will identify all qualifying potential subjects scheduled for liver biopsy 
at a performance site.  On arrival at the performance site, a radiology investigator will, in a room 
away from other patients or staff, explain the study to the potential subject, answer any 
questions, and seek written informed consent.  The potential subject will be given a copy of the 
consent to read to prior to consenting.  If consent is granted, the patient will undergo either 
CEUS-guided biopsy (even dates, e.g., October 2) or standard US-guided biopsy (odd dates, e.g., 
October 3).  For CEUS patients, Lumason (25 mg lipid type A lyophilized powder + 60.7 mg 
seulfur hexafluoride, in 5 mL saline) will be injected intravenously into the antecubital fossa 
immediately prior to US imaging, and then biopsy will be performed using standard technique, 
referring to the CEUS images.  For control patients, US and biopsy will be performed per the 
standard protocol at the performance site, without the use of Lumason. 
For each patient group, we will determine the complication rate associated with the procedure.  
Complication will be defined as 1) bleeding seen on post-biopsy CT or US, 2) drop in 
hemoglobin of more than 1.5 g/dL within one week after biopsy, or 3) need for hepatic artery 
embolization. We will also assess the success rate of biopsy for each patient group.  Success will 
be defined as the biopsy sample being sufficient for histological diagnosis and/or complete 
genotyping. 
Data safety monitoring will be performed quarterly by the study team.  We will monitor accrual, 
complication rates, any other study-related issues, and any literature published that may impact 
the study. 
Enrollment 
As this is a pilot study to determine how complication rates and diagnosis rates compare between 
a new technology (CEUS) and our standard protocol, and little pertinent data currently exists, we 
have no good basis to do power and sample size calculations.  The planned enrollment of 125 
patients in each arm is based on patient volume over a reasonable study period (18 months) and 
internal funding considerations (cost of Lumason, not charged to the patient)  We will seek 
approval for 300 patients to ensure at least 125 in each arm. 
Resources/Budget 

 
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This project will be internally funded, and a budget is under development.  The patient will not 
be responsible for any study costs (results evaluation, the contrast agent, or its injection) but will 
be responsible for all other costs associated with standard protocol US-guided biopsy of the liver.    
References 
 
1. 
Vanderlaan PA, Yamaguchi N, Folch E, et al. Success and failure rates of tumor 
genotyping techniques in routine pathological samples with non-small-cell lung cancer. Lung 
Cancer. 2014;84(1):39-44. 
2. 
http://www.healthimaging.com/topics/diagnostic-imaging/fda-approves-first-contrast-
agent-enhanced-ultrasonography-liver.   [cited 2016 August 10]. 
3. 
Bokor D, Chambers JB, Rees PJ, Mant TG, Luzzani F, Spinazzi A. Clinical safety of 
SonoVue, a new contrast agent for ultrasound imaging, in healthy volunteers and in patients with 
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Invest Radiol. 2001;36(2):104-9. 
4. 
Morel DR, Schwieger I, Hohn L, et al. Human pharmacokinetics and safety evaluation of 
SonoVue, a new contrast agent for ultrasound imaging. Invest Radiol. 2000;35(1):80-5. 
5. 
Madsen HH, Rasmussen F. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in oncology. Cancer Imaging. 
2011;11 Spec No A:S167-73. 
6. 
Wilson SR, Burns PN. Microbubble-enhanced US in body imaging: what role? 
Radiology. 2010;257(1):24-39. 
7. 
Sparchez Z, Radu P, Zaharia T, Kacso G, Grigorescu I, Badea R. Contrast enhanced 
ultrasound guidance: a new tool to improve accuracy in percutaneous biopsies. Med Ultrason. 
2010;12(2):133-8. 
8. 
Wu W, Chen MH, Yin SS, et al. The role of contrast-enhanced sonography of focal liver 
lesions before percutaneous biopsy. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;187(3):752-61.