Cool-tip radiofrequency thermal ablation of malignant hepatic tumors: a report of 42 cases

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) for malignant hepatic tumors with ultrasound-guided cooled-tip electrodes. Fouty-two patients with 60 tumors were treated with cool-tip RFA. Of these, 37 cases were treated percutaneously with ultrasound guided RFA, 2 cases treated by laparoscope and other 3 cases treated by RFA during operation. RFA were performed 75 times in all. Follow-up by CT and MR was performed after the treatment of 2-14 months, and 70%(42/60) of the entire tumor nodules were confirmed having complete necrosis and 8.3%(5/60) of the patients were found having residual nodules and recurrence. In conclusion, radiofrequency thermal ablation is safe and efficient.