Radiofrequency ablation of subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma: single center experience.
OBJECTIVE
To present a single center results, regarding radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
Forty patients with subcapsular HCC were treated with RFA under CT guidance for fifty-two discrete lesions in our institution. Twenty-eight patients underwent ablation of a solitary tumor and twelve patients underwent RFA of two tumors. Six patients had a subcapsular HCC with an exofitic location. All lesions had a diameter of <4 cm. We used two types of generators and electrodes: spiral electrode and expandable electrode. Needle track ablation was performed in all cases. Follow-up consisted of an abdomen computed tomography (CT) scan after contrast administration immediately after each session and then after one, three, six, and twelve months.


RESULTS
In forty-eight lesions complete tumor ablation was depicted at the one month CT scan. In four lesions with residual viable tumor, a second session was performed. After the second ablation no residual tumor was observed in any patient. No major complications occurred in any of our patients. Fever with a temperature up to 39 °C was documented during the first days as part of the post-ablation syndrome in thirteen patients (32.2%). Seeding along the needle track was observed in none of our patients. Local tumor progression, was observed in ten lesions (19.25%) and in all cases a second RFA session was performed with optimal results.


CONCLUSIONS
Subcapsular location should not be considered as a contraindication for liver RFA.
Filippousis
P
P
Sotiria Athens General Hospital, Department of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Mesogeion Av 152, Athens, Greece. peterfilrad@hotmail.com
Sotiropoulou
E
E
Manataki
A
A
Konstantinopoulos
O
O
Thanos
L
L
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome