title: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using internally cooled wet electrodes for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using internally cooled wet electrodes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2008 to October 2010, 122 patients with 129 HCCs (mean size, 2.2 ± 0.6 [SD] cm; range, 0.7-4 cm) were treated with RFA using internally cooled wet electrodes. Primary technical effectiveness, the frequency of major complications, and local tumor progression rates were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients (2%) had major complications (liver abscess, significant pleural effusion) after RFA. When evaluated 1 month after RFA, the primary technical effectiveness rate was 99%. The 1- and 2-year local tumor progression rates were 8% and 12%, respectively. Additionally, there was no difference in effectiveness and complication rates between patients with subcapsular HCC and those with nonsubcapsular HCC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous RFA using internally cooled wet electrodes is safe and provides successful local tumor control in patients with HCC. The safety and effectiveness of RFA using internally cooled wet electrodes are comparable to those reported in the literature using conventional RFA electrodes and are similar for nonsubcapsular and subcapsular tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1, Poongnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-736, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Hyoung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Pyo Nyun
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyung Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Yong Moon
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D018450:Disease Progression; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media