title: Biplane fluoroscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation combined with chemoembolisation for hepatocellular carcinoma: initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the technical feasibility and local efficacy of biplane fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Our retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was waived. 18 patients with 19 HCCs (mean 2.5 cm diameter; range 2-4.2 cm) were treated with percutaneous RF ablation combined with TACE. After segmental TACE, 18 (95%) of 19 HCCs were visible on fluoroscopy. Shortly (median 2 days; range 1-4 days) after TACE, percutaneous RF ablation was performed under real-time biplane fluoroscopic guidance. We evaluated major complications, rate of technical success at immediate post-RF ablation CT images and local tumour progression at follow-up CT images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Major complication was not observed in any patients. Technical success was achieved for all 18 visible HCCs. During the follow-up period (median 20 months; range 5-30 months), no local tumour progression was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biplane fluoroscopy-guided RF ablation combined with TACE is technically feasible and effective for treatment of HCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Biomedical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Choe
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies