Virtual ultrasonography-assisted percutaneous ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Recent advances in multi-detector row computed tomography have enabled the synthesis of high-quality multiplanar reconstruction images. With this technique, arbitrary sectional images resembling conventional ultrasonography (US) images, i.e. virtual US images, can easily be created. We describe 3 cases of small hepatocellular carcinoma poorly visualized with US in which US-guided percutaneous ablation was safely and successfully performed with the assistance of the virtual US system. No local recurrence was found after a mean follow-up of 17 months. Percutaneous ablation using the virtual US system is a promising method for treating hepatocellular carcinoma poorly visualized with US.
Toshikuni
Nobuyuki
N
Department of Internal Medicine, Ako Central Hospital, Ako, Japan. n.toshikuni@gmail.com
Omoto
Akiyoshi
A
Nakashima
Koji
K
Mitsunaga
Mikio
M
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods