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Title: Radiofrequency Ablation Assisted by Real-Time Virtual Sonography and CT for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undetectable by Conventional Sonography

Journal Article · · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
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  1. Wakayama Medical University, Department of Radiology (Japan)
  2. Hidaka General Hospital, Department of Radiology (Japan)

Real-time virtual sonography (RVS) is a diagnostic imaging support system, which provides the same cross-sectional multiplanar reconstruction images as ultrasound images on the same monitor screen in real time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiofrequency ablation (RFA) assisted by RVS and CT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undetectable with conventional sonography. Subjects were 20 patients with 20 HCC nodules not detected by conventional sonography but detectable by CT or MRI. All patients had hepatitis C-induced liver cirrhosis; there were 13 males and 7 females aged 55-81 years (mean, 69.3 years). RFA was performed in the CT room, and the tumor was punctured with the assistance of RVS. CT was performed immediately after puncture, and ablation was performed after confirming that the needle had been inserted into the tumor precisely. The mean number of punctures and success rates of the first puncture were evaluated. Treatment effects were evaluated with dynamic CT every 3 months after RFA. RFA was technically feasible and local tumor control was achieved in all patients. The mean number of punctures was 1.1, and the success rate of the first puncture was 90.0%. This method enabled safe ablation without complications. The mean follow-up period was 13.5 month (range, 9-18 months). No local recurrence was observed at the follow-up points. In conclusion, RFA assisted by RVS and CT is a safe and efficacious method of treatment for HCC undetectable by conventional sonography.

OSTI ID:
21426317
Journal Information:
Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Vol. 32, Issue 1; Conference: BSIR 2008: Annual meeting of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe, Manchester (United Kingdom), 5-7 Nov 2008; Other Information: DOI: 10.1007/s00270-008-9462-x; Copyright (c) 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC; ISSN 0174-1551
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English