Evaluation of the therapeutic effect using MD-CT immediately after RFA for HCC.
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective modality for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), because it can induce large coagulation necrosis in a few sessions. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether we can assess the therapeutic effect of RFA immediately after RFA.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients (25 nodules) with HCC undergoing RFA treatment were enrolled in this study. Fourteen patients were treated with combination therapy of lipiodol chemoembolization and RFA, while 7 patients were treated with RFA alone. Dynamic computed tomography (CT) using multidetector row helical CT (MD-CT) was performed before, immediately after and 1 week after RFA. Simultaneously, multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images were also obtained for comparison.


RESULTS
With or without chemoembolization, the size of coagulated necrosis was almost the same between the time immediately after and 1 week after RFA. The therapeutic effect was able to be evaluated by dynamic CT scans immediately after RFA in all patients. Moreover, MPR images facilitate the detailed evaluation of the therapeutic effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Examination of dynamic CT using MD-CT immediately after RFA is useful to evaluate the therapeutic effect and may enable a shorter hospital stay.
Ninomiya
Toshiaki
T
Department of Clinical Molecular Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan. n-med7@w5-dion.ne.jp
Seo
Yasushi
Y
Yano
Yoshihiko
Y
Nakaji
Miyuki
M
Hamano
Kenichi
K
Katayama
Megumi
M
Tsurusaki
Masakatsu
M
Yoon
Seitetsu
S
Kasaga
Masato
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome