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http://dx.doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2012.13.1.34

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation with Multiple Electrodes for Medium-Sized Hepatocellular Carcinomas  

Lee, Jung (Seoul National University Hospital)
Lee, Jeong-Min (Department of Radiology, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Seoul National University Hospital)
Yoon, Jung-Hwan (Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Lee, Jae-Young (Department of Radiology, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Seoul National University Hospital)
Kim, Se-Hyung (Department of Radiology, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Seoul National University Hospital)
Lee, Jeong-Eun (Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University)
Han, Joon-Koo (Department of Radiology, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Seoul National University Hospital)
Choi, Byung-Ihn (Department of Radiology, and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Seoul National University Hospital)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Radiology / v.13, no.1, 2012 , pp. 34-43 More about this Journal
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 ${\pm}$ 8.9 minutes. The mean ablation volume was 73.8 ${\pm}$ 56.4 cm3 and the minimum diameter was 4.1 ${\pm}$ 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.
Keywords
Liver; Interventional procedures; Radiofrequency ablation; Preliminary clinical study;
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Times Cited By Web Of Science : 5  (Related Records In Web of Science)
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