Fig 1.
(A) Study protocol of the RFA procedure and intervals between the pre-RFA study, treatment, and follow-up. (B) Flowchart showing the consequences of the study flow. RFA, radiofrequency ablation; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; SB, switching bipolar; SM, switching monopolar, F/U, follow-up.
Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of 69 patients with HCCs treated with radiofrequency ablation.
Fig 2.
Photograph of an internally cooled wet electrode with two tiny (0.02 mm) side holes in the active tip.
Fig 3.
(A) Axial MR images during arterial phase, portal phase and hepatobiliary phase after administration of gadoxetic acid show a 2.6 cm HCC with definitive arterial hypervascularization, venous washout, and hepatobiliary phase hypoenhancement. (B) Real-time US/MRI fusion image before ablation shows a slightly hyperechoic HCC on US image with virtual tumor margin and two electrodes (arrows) placed in the tumor and in the peritumoral area, respectively. (C) PostRFA US/MRI fusion image demonstrates that the virtual tumor margin suggesting the tumor location is covered by hyperechoic ablation zone with sufficient peritumoral margins. (D) Axial (left) and Coronal (right) immediate post-RFA CT images show complete ablation of the target tumor with sufficient peritumoral margins.
Table 2.
Comparison of RFA variables and technique efficacy between SB-RFA and SM-RFA groups.
Fig 4.
Cumulative local tumor progression rates after RFA of (A) overall, (B) small HCCs and (C) medium HCCs.
Table 3.
Local tumor progression in 71 HCCs after successful RFA.
Fig 5.
Cumulative intrahepatic distant metastasis after RFA.