Radiotrequency Ablation of MalignantHepatic Tumors: Methods and Values

To evaluate the efficacy and techniques of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and metastatic liver carcinoma(MLC). Methods 131 patients (226 nodules) underwent percutaneous ultrasound-guided RFA. The maximum diameter of the nodules was 1.0~10.8cm(median, 3.8cm) . In order to get the complete ablation of tumors larger than 3.5 cm, the overlapping ablation sizes and the program for device placement were calculated and determined before the RFA according to the overlapping sphere principle. Results The contrast-enhanced CT appearance 1 day or 1 month post-treatment showed that 203 nodules were completely ablated(89.8%). The survival rate of 6,12 and 18 months was 91%(85/93), 72%(47/65) and 62%(8/13), respectively. The major complications occurred during the process of the RFA or within 1 month after RFA in 6 patients(4.6%), including 2hepatic hemorrhage, 1 abscess, 2 bile leak and 1 short period of compression of the bile duct due to edema. Emergency operation wasn't done in these cases. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided RFA appears to be an effective, safe, minimally-invasive procedure for the treatment of malignant hepatic tumors.