title: Hepatocutaneous fistula: a complication after radiofrequency ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: A 34-year-old male was admitted for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with poor healing of a radiofrequency ablation wound over the subxiphoid region. The patient underwent lobectomy of the liver 3 years previously. Transarterial chemoembolisation was performed twice for tumour recurrence, and radiofrequency ablation was done for new recurrence 2 months previously. Due to poor healing with discharge through the puncture wound and elevated alpha feto-protein (AFP) level, recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma and tumour seeding of the needle tract were suspected. During surgery, a recurrent tumour mass over segment 3 with a hepatocutaneous fistula within the adhesion tissue between the liver surface and abdominal wall was discovered. We recommend that hepatocutaneous fistula should be considered as a complication of radiofrequency ablation for hepatic tumours.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsu-Kai
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chien-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chia-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Jyh-Cherng
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yao-Chi
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Teng-Wei
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chung-Bao
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography