Korean Journal of Radiology

The Korean Society of Radiology (대한영상의학회)
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Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors: How We Do It Safely and Completely

  • Kim, Jin Woong (Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Shin, Sang Soo (Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Heo, Suk Hee (Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Hong, Jun Hyung (Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Lim, Hyo Soon (Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Seon, Hyun Ju (Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Hur, Young Hoe (Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Park, Chang Hwan (Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Jeong, Yong Yeon (Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School) ;
  • Kang, Heoung Keun (Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School)
  • Received : 2015.03.27
  • Accepted : 2015.07.04
  • Published : 2015.11.01
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Abstract

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation has become one of the most promising local cancer therapies for both resectable and nonresectable hepatic tumors. Although RF ablation is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of liver tumors, the outcome of treatment can be closely related to the location and shape of the tumors. There may be difficulties with RF ablation of tumors that are adjacent to large vessels or extrahepatic heat-vulnerable organs and tumors in the caudate lobe, possibly resulting in major complications or treatment failure. Thus, a number of strategies have been developed to overcome these challenges, which include artificial ascites, needle track ablation, fusion imaging guidance, parallel targeting, bypass targeting, etc. Operators need to use the right strategy in the right situation to avoid the possibility of complications and incomplete thermal tissue destruction; with the right strategy, RF ablation can be performed successfully, even for hepatic tumors in high-risk locations. This article offers technical strategies that can be used to effectively perform RF ablation as well as to minimize possible complications related to the procedure with representative cases and schematic illustrations.

Keywords

References

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