Colonic perforation and abscess following radiofrequency ablation treatment of hepatoma.
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency (RF) has been demonstrated as a relatively safe procedure in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
A 60-year-old man with liver cirrhosis presented with a large, infiltrating HCC close to the right colon. The patient was treated with internally cooled RF.


RESULTS
On the 8th day post-ablation, a complication of right colon perforation was diagnosed.


CONCLUSIONS
RF can induce untoward thermal damage, and may not be indicated in large infiltrating lesions abutting the gastrointestinal tract.
Meloni
M Franca
MF
Department of Radiology, Ospedale Civile, Via Cereda 23, 20059 Vimercate, Milan, Italy. franca.meloni@galactica.it
Goldberg
S Nahum
SN
Moser
Vittorio
V
Piazza
Guido
G
Livraghi
Tito
T
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged