title: Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: value of virtual CT sonography with magnetic navigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Virtual CT sonography with magnetic navigation yields cross-sectional images of CT volume data that correspond to the angle of the transducer in the magnetic field in real time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and feasibility of virtual CT sonography for radiofrequency ablation of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma poorly defined on B-mode sonography.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred one patients enrolled in the study were separated into two groups. Fifty-one patients with 65 hepatocellular carcinomas underwent prospective virtual CT sonography as guidance for radiofrequency ablation. Fifty patients with 63 hepatocellular carcinomas managed with B-mode sonographic guidance were retrospectively selected under the same conditions as the virtual CT sonography group to act as a historical control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the virtual CT sonography group, technically successful ablation was achieved in a single session in 92% (47/51) of the patients and in two sessions in 8% (4/51). In the B-mode sonography group, technical success was achieved in a single session in 72% (36/50) of the patients, in two sessions in 24% (12/50), and in three sessions in 4% (2/50). Treatment analysis showed that the technical success rate after a single treatment session was significantly (p = 0.017) higher for the virtual CT sonography group. The number of treatment sessions was significantly (p = 0.021) lower for the virtual CT sonography group (mean, 1.1 +/- 0.1 vs 1.3 +/- 0.3 sessions).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Virtual CT sonographically assisted radiofrequency ablation is an efficient treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma that is poorly defined on B-mode sonography.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kinki University School of Medicine, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka 589-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Minami
authors.forename: Hobyung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kudo
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitai
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Kuzuomi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ueshima
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shiozaki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface