title: Radiofrequency thermoablation of HCC larger than 3 cm and less than 5 cm proximal to the gallbladder without gallbladder isolation: a single center experience.
abstract: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective minimally invasive treatment for nonsurgical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but ablation of tumors close to the gallbladder could be associated with several complications. We report our experience on the treatment of HCC close to the gallbladder with RFA. Eight RFA procedures were performed in eight patients with HCC larger than 3 cm and less than 5 cm close to the gallbladder. In all cases, a percutaneous approach was used. There were no major complications. Only in two patients a minimal wall thickening of the gallbladder was observed. Contrast enhanced computed tomography carried out after 30 days from the first procedure showed complete necrosis in seven patients (87%). Only one patient had local recurrence at 11 months of followup. Although limited, our experience suggests that, after careful preprocedural planning, in experienced hands and with appropriate technology, percutaneous RFA could be safely performed even for lesions larger than 3 cm located in close adjacency to the gallbladder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata," Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orlacchio
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata," Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8736-6475
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chegai
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata," Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9383-122X
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Giudice
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata," Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massaccesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata," Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata," Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5495-1624
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Caprera
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Radiation Therapy and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata," Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonetti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002765:Cholecystography; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000293:injuries; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059351:Organ Sparing Treatments / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome