title: A measure to assess the ablative margin using 3D-CT image fusion after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the feasibility of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) image fusion in facilitating assessment of the ablative margin (AM) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study involved 75 patients with solitary HCC who underwent RFA. The AM was evaluated using 3D-CT image fusion. All cases were categorized into two groups based on the extent of the AM: in Group A, sufficient AM was obtained, which was greater than or equal to 5 mm; in Group B, the lesion was also ablated successfully, but a 5 mm AM was not obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  3D-CT Image Fusion was performed on 36 and 39 patients in Group A and Group B, respectively. The 1, 3, 5 year RFS was 87.6%, 63.2%, 50.6% for Group A, and 77.2%, 51.5%, 35.6% for Group B, respectively (P = 0.042); the corresponding OS was 94.3%, 73.8%, 64.6%, and 86.2%, 60.5%, 47.6%, respectively (P = 0.046). Multivariate analysis showed that the AM (P = 0.048, HR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.01-4.60) and Pre-NLR were independent prognostic factors for PFS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D-CT image fusion is a feasible and useful method to evaluate the AM after RFA of HCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Cancer Center of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Yunqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Tiejun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome