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Image-guided multipolar radiofrequency ablation of liver tumours: initial clinical results

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Abstract

The local effectiveness and clinical usefulness of multipolar radiofrequency (RF) ablation of liver tumours was evaluated. Sixty-eight image-guided RF sessions were performed using a multipolar device with bipolar electrodes in 53 patients. There were 45 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and 42 metastases with a diameter ≤3 cm (n = 55), 3.1–5 cm (n = 29) and >5 cm (n = 3); 26 nodules were within 5 mm from large vessels. Local effectiveness and complications were evaluated after RF procedures. Mean follow-up was 17 ± 10 months. Recurrence and survival rates were analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method. The primary and secondary technical effectiveness rate was 82% and 95%, respectively. The major and minor complication rate was 2.9%, respectively. The local tumour progression at 1- and 2-years was 5% and 9% for HCC nodules and 17% and 31% for metastases, respectively; four of 26 nodules (15%) close to vessels showed local progression. The survival at 1 year and 2 years was 97% and 90% for HCC and 84% and 68% for metastases, respectively. Multipolar RF technique creates ablation zones of adequate size and tailored shape and is effective to treat most liver tumours, including those close to major hepatic vessels.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank André Roggan, PhD, for his excellent advice and technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Geneva University Hospital, rue Micheli-du-Crest 24, 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland

    Sylvain Terraz, Christophe Constantin & Christoph D. Becker

  2. Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospital, rue Micheli-du-Crest 24, 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland

    Pietro Edoardo Majno & Gilles Mentha

  3. Department of Gastroenterology, Geneva University Hospital, rue Micheli-du-Crest 24, 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland

    Laurent Spahr

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  1. Sylvain Terraz
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  2. Christophe Constantin
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Correspondence to Sylvain Terraz.

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Terraz, S., Constantin, C., Majno, P.E. et al. Image-guided multipolar radiofrequency ablation of liver tumours: initial clinical results. Eur Radiol 17, 2253–2261 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-007-0626-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-007-0626-x

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