title: Imaging findings of liver resection using a bipolar radiofrequency electrosurgical device--initial observations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess contrast-enhanced US (CEUS), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and serial changes of the treated area at follow-up in patients who underwent liver resection using a bipolar radiofrequency electrosurgical device.
  
  
  METHODS
  Imaging findings of 27 patients with resected hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) (n=24) and metastases (n=3) (mean size: 2.6cm), were retrospectively evaluated. Two readers assessed: the (a) presence, (b) thickness, (c) shape and (d) echogenicity (CEUS)/attenuation (CT)/signal intensity (MR imaging) at coagulated site and the (e) presence of residual tumor of the bipolar radiofrequency electrosurgical device resection margin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up was performed with either CT (n=20) or MR imaging (n=7) and repeated in 16 patients with CT (n=7), MR imaging (n=4), or both techniques (n=5). Four patients also had a single CEUS examination. At first imaging follow-up a peripheral halo was depicted at resection site (100%). A fluid collection within the surgical area was found in 67% of patients. During the following imaging examinations a progressive involution of both findings was observed, respectively, in 81% and 62% of patients. Viable tissue was detected in three patients (11%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After liver resection with bipolar radiofrequency electrosurgical device successfully ablated tumor is demonstrated at imaging by an unenhancing partial linear peripheral halo, in most cases, surrounding a fluid collection reducing in size during follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Palermo, Palermo, 90127, Italy. taibbiadele@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taibbi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furlan
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sandonato
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bova
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galia
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cabibbo
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soresi
authors.forename: Tommaso Vincenzo
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Bartolotta
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Midiri
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lagalla
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brancatelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome