Multidetector-row computed tomography of focal liver lesions treated by radiofrequency ablation: spectrum of findings at long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To assess serial changes in liver tumors after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation at follow-up multidetector-row computed tomography.


METHODS
Forty patients with 65 malignant lesions underwent multidetector-row computed tomography immediately, 1 month and every 3 months, up to a maximum of 15 months after radiofrequency ablation. The computed tomography (CT) appearance of the treated lesions (non-enhanced attenuation, enhancement pattern, shape and size) was assessed at each follow-up. The relationship between each CT finding and the treatment outcome was evaluated by chi2 test (P < 0.05).


RESULTS
No significant differences were found in lesion shape and in non-enhanced CT attenuation between successfully and unsuccessfully treated lesions, whereas over time change of lesion size was significantly different. The no enhancement and nodular enhancement pattern prevalence was significantly (P < 0.0001) different between successfully and unsuccessfully treated lesions, whereas non-nodular enhancement pattern did not show any relationship with the treatment outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Lesion size increase and nodular enhancement pattern resulted significantly related to the treatment failure.
Filippone
Antonella
A
Department of Clinical Sciences and Bioimages, Section of Radiology, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy. a.filippone@rad.unich.it
Iezzi
Roberto
R
Di Fabio
Francesca
F
Cianci
Roberta
R
Grassedonio
Emanuele
E
Storto
Maria Luigia
ML
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017211:Treatment Failure