Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with multiple electrodes for medium-sized hepatocellular carcinomas.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To prospectively evaluate the safety and short-term therapeutic efficacy of switching monopolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with multiple electrodes to treat medium-sized (3.1-5.0 cm), hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this prospective study, 30 patients with single medium-sized HCCs (mean, 3.5 cm; range, 3.1-4.4 cm) were enrolled. The patients were treated under ultrasonographic guidance by percutaneous switching monopolar RFA with a multichannel RF generator and two or three internally cooled electrodes. Contrast-enhanced CT scans were obtained immediately after RFA, and the diameters and volume of the ablation zones were then measured. Follow-up CT scans were performed at the first month after ablation and every three months thereafter. Technical effectiveness, local progression and remote recurrence of HCCs were determined.

RESULTS:

There were no major immediate or periprocedural complications. However, there was one bile duct stricture during the follow-up period. Technical effectiveness was achieved in 29 of 30 patients (97%). The total ablation time of the procedures was 25.4 ± 8.9 minutes. The mean ablation volume was 73.8 ± 56.4 cm(3) and the minimum diameter was 4.1 ± 7.3 cm. During the follow-up period (mean, 12.5 months), local tumor progression occurred in three of 29 patients (10%) with technical effectiveness, while new HCCs were detected in six of 29 patients (21%).

CONCLUSION:

Switching monopolar RFA with multiple electrodes in order to achieve a sufficient ablation volume is safe and efficient. This method also showed relatively successful therapeutic effectiveness on short-term follow up for the treatment of medium-sized HCCs.

• Authors: Jung Lee, Jeong Min Lee, Jung-Hwan Yoon, Jae Young Lee, Se Hyung Kim, Jeong Eun Lee, Joon Koo Han, Byung Ihn Choi
• Journal: Korean journal of radiology (Korean J Radiol) 2012 Jan-Feb Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 34-43 ISSN: 2005-8330 [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 22247634 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Iohexol
• iopromide

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Catheter Ablation (instrumentation, methods)
• Contrast Media
• Disease Progression
• Electrodes
• Female
• Humans
• Iohexol (analogs & derivatives)
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Liver Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
• Prospective Studies
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed (methods)
• Ultrasonography, Interventional