Combined ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation and ethanol injection with a multipronged needle for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma ranging from 3.0 to 7.0 cm in diameter / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with ethanol injection with a multipronged needle under ultrasound guidance for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) larger than 3 cm in diameter.Methods 65 patients with 67HCC nodules ranging from 3.1 to 7.0 cm in diameter were treated percutaneously under ultrasound guidance.Tumor response and complications after treatment were observed.Results Complete ablation was achieved in 94.0％ (63/67) of HCC nodules.4 residual tumor nodules received complete ablation after additional treatment.Ablation-related major complications was occurred in 3 patients,including liver abscess in 1 case,abdominal bleeding in 1 case and massive ascites in 1 case,all were cured by conservative therapy.After a mean follow-up period of (20.0 ± 7.6) months (6.7-32.6 months),local-tumor progression was observed in 10 (14.9％) of 67 HCC nodules,and distant recurrence was observed in 32 (49.2％) of 65patients.The 1-year and 2-year survival rate were 93.1 ％ and 88.1％,respectively.Conclusions RFA combined with ethanol injetion with a multipronged needle is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 3 cm,especially 3-5 cm in diameter.