title: Thoracic complications of radiofrequency ablation of recurrent hepatoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for unresectable primary or secondary hepatic malignancies have gained widespread availability and acceptance over the past 5 years. Complication rates have been reported to range from 0% to 27%.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a patient with symptomatic right pleural effusion due to a diaphragmatic fistula and another with biliptysis post-RFA, for recurrent hepatoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Percutaneous drainage of both the pleural effusion and biloma was performed. However, surgical repair of the diaphragmatic fistula was only required for the former for persistent drainage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients were successfully treated with minimal morbidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High index of suspicion is required for the early diagnosis and treatment of diaphragmatic fistulas. Simple catheter drainage can potentially obviate the need for surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre, Singapore. soon.jia.lin@singhealth.com.sg
authors.forename: Jia Lin
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Soon
authors.forename: Prema Raj
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Jeyaraj
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Agasthian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology