Needle Tract Implantation after Percutaneous Interventional Procedures in Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Lessons Learned from a 10-year Experience

ABSTRACT

Percutaneous interventional procedures under image guidance, such as biopsy, ethanol injection therapy, and radiofrequency ablation play important roles in the management of hepatocellular carcinomas. Although uncommon, the procedures may result in tumor implantation along the needle tract, which is a major delayed complication. Implanted tumors usually appear as one or a few, round or oval-shaped, enhancing nodules along the needle tract on CT, from the intraperitoneum through the intercostal or abdominal muscles to the subcutaneous or cutaneous tissues. Radiologists should understand the mechanisms and risk factors of needle tract implantation, minimize this complication, and also pay attention to the presence of implanted tumors along the needle tract during follow-up.