title: Major complications after radio-frequency thermal ablation of hepatic tumors: spectrum of imaging findings.
abstract: Although radio-frequency (RF) ablation has been accepted as a promising and safe technique for treatment of unresectable hepatic tumors, investigation of its complications has been limited. According to the multicenter (1,139 patients in 11 institutions) survey data of the Korean Study Group of Radiofrequency Ablation, a spectrum of complications occurred after RF ablation of hepatic tumors. The prevalence of major complications was 2.43%. The most common complications were hepatic abscess (0.66%), peritoneal hemorrhage (0.46%), biloma (0.20%), ground pad burn (0.20%), pneumothorax (0.20%), and vasovagal reflex (0.13%). Other complications were biliary stricture, diaphragmatic injury, gastric ulcer, hemothorax, hepatic failure, hepatic infarction, renal infarction, sepsis, and transient ischemic attack. One procedure-related death (0.09%) occurred (due to peritoneal hemorrhage). Three important strategies for decreasing the rate of complications are prevention, early detection, and proper management. A physician who performs RF ablation of hepatic malignancies should be aware of the broad spectrum of major complications so that these strategies can be used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hanyang University Hospital, 17 Haengdang-Dong, Sungdong-Ku, Seoul, Korea. rhimhc@hanyang.ac.kr
authors.forename: Hyunchul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rhim
authors.forename: Kwon-Ha
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Jeong Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yoonkoo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: June-Sik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Seung Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Won-Jae
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyo Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Gyoung-Jin
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Sang-Suk
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Yun Hwan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Cheol Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Pyo Nyun
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Byun
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000453:epidemiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology