title: Multipolar versus monopolar radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe: Results of a propensity score analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to compare multipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with monopolar RFA as the major treatment for nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. Data were reviewed from 101 patients who met the Milan criteria and were treated by multipolar RFA (n = 22) or monopolar RFA (n = 79). After propensity score matching, complications and local tumor progression were compared between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before propensity score matching (n = 101), the 2-year relapse-free survival rates for multipolar and monopolar RFA (65.1% vs. 38.8%, respectively; P = 0.064) and the local tumor progression rate (12.5% vs. 14.9%, respectively; P = 0.313) were not significantly different. There were no significant differences between the two RFA techniques by treatment efficacy of transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization, location of tumor, and puncture route. After matching (n = 44), the 2-year relapse-free survival rate for the multipolar and monopolar groups (65.1% vs. 22.7%, respectively; P = 0.004) was significantly different, and the local tumor progression rate (12.5% vs. 22.9%, respectively; P = 0.004) was significantly different. No severe complications occurred in the patients treated by multipolar RFA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multipolar RFA appears to be a safe and effective method for hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in the caudate lobe.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan.
authors: Masashi
authors: M
authors: Hirooka
authors: Center for Liver-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan.
authors: Hironori
authors: H
authors: Ochi
authors: Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan.
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Hiraoka
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan.
authors: Yohei
authors: Y
authors: Koizumi
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan.
authors: Yoshio
authors: Y
authors: Tokumoto
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan.
authors: Masanori
authors: M
authors: Abe
authors: Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan.
authors: Kojiro
authors: K
authors: Michitaka
authors: Center for Liver-Biliary-Pancreatic Diseases, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan.
authors: Kouji
authors: K
authors: Joko
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan.
authors: Yoichi
authors: Y
authors: Hiasa
keywords: caudate lobe; hepatocellular carcinoma; multipolar ablation; propensity score matching; radiofrequency ablation