Hemorrhagic complications of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for liver tumors.
BACKGROUND
Although radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely accepted as a percutaneous treatment for liver tumors; serious complications may occur resulting in 0.1% to 0.5% mortality. This study analyzed the risk factors and management of hemorrhagic complications, such as hemoperitoneum, hemothorax, and hemobilia.


METHODS
We performed 4133 RFA treatments in 2154 patients with primary and metastatic liver tumors from February 1999 to December 2007. Of these, we enrolled patients with hemorrhagic complications and reviewed their medical records thoroughly. The risk factors for each hemorrhagic complication were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression.


RESULTS
Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 63 out of 4133 treatments (1.5%), including hemoperitoneum in 29 (0.7%), hemothorax in 14 (0.3%), and hemobilia in 20 (0.5%). Eleven, 8, and 4 of these patients, respectively, were categorized as major complications requiring blood transfusion or drainage. Two patients died after hemoperitoneum. Logistic regression analysis revealed large tumor size [odds ratio (OR) 1.06 per 1 mm increase in diameter] and low platelet count (OR 0.88 per 10,000/microL increase) were significant risk factors for hemoperitoneum. The location of tumor nodules was a significant risk factor for hemothorax (segment 7, OR 2.31) and hemobilia (segment 1, OR 3.30). Other factors, including the number of needle insertions or the duration of ablation, were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Although hemorrhagic complications were relatively rare with percutaneous RFA, specific treatments, such as blood transfusion and drainage, were required in some cases. Care must be taken, especially in high-risk patients.
Goto
Eriko
E
Department of Gastroenterology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Tateishi
Ryosuke
R
Shiina
Shuichiro
S
Masuzaki
Ryota
R
Enooku
Kenichiro
K
Sato
Takahisa
T
Ohki
Takamasa
T
Kondo
Yuji
Y
Goto
Tadashi
T
Yoshida
Haruhiko
H
Omata
Masao
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006431:Hemobilia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D012307:Risk Factors