Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: Current status

Figure 1 A 61-year-old man with 1. 5-cm recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after ablation therapy in segment 5 of the liver. A: Early-phase dynamic computed tomography (CT) scan shows recurrent tumor (circle). Non-enhanced area (arrowheads) was previously treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA); B: Contrast harmonic ultrasound (US) using Levovist shows enhancement of viable focus of a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodule (circle); C: Portal-phase dynamic CT scan, which was obtained 3 d after RFA shows that the tumor was not enhanced, indicating complete necrosis of the lesion (arrow); D: Contrast harmonic US, which was obtained 3 d after ablation shows non-enhanced area (circle).

Figure 2 A 71-year-old man with 2. 0 cm local tumor progression of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation therapy in segment 8 of the liver. A: Early-phase dynamic computed tomography (CT) scan shows outgrowth pattern of locally progressive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (arrow). The lesion borders an unenhanced area, which was previously treated; B: Left: Contrast harmonic Doppler ultrasound (US) using Levovist shows enhancement of local tumor progression of HCC (arrow). Therefore, an enhanced lesion can be identified as a target for the insertion of a single RF electrode; Right: B-mode US shows a HCC nodule demonstrated as a low echoic lesion with an unclear border (arrowhead).