Delayed colonic perforation after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. Colonic perforation secondary to RFA of the liver is an uncommon complication that has been reported to have an incidence between 0.1% and 0.3%. Lesions adjacent (within 1 cm) to the colonic wall and those in patients with history of upper abdominal surgery or chronic cholecystitis are particularly at risk. More importantly, thermal injury leading to colonic perforation has proved to have a fatal outcome. We present a case of percutaneous RFA in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma that was abutting the colonic hepatic flexure. Colonic perforation was diagnosed on the eighth day postablation when the patient was readmitted with peritonitis.
Yeung
Yuk Pang
YP
Department of Surgery, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong. yeungyp@yahoo.com
Hui
Joseph
J
Yip
Wai Chun Andrew
WC
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed