TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in bile ducts after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma
T2 - Frequency and clinical significance
AU - Kim, Seong Hyun
AU - Lim, Hyo K.
AU - Choi, Dongil
AU - Lee, Won Jae
AU - Kim, Seung Hoon
AU - Kim, Min Ju
AU - Lee, Soon Jin
AU - Lim, Jae Hoon
PY - 2004/12
Y1 - 2004/12
N2 - OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of bile duct changes after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma and to evaluate their clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Between April 1999 and August 2003, 389 patients with 521 hepatocellular carcinomas underwent a total of 571 sessions of radiofrequency ablation. The maximum dimension of the tumors measured on sonography was 2.4 ± 0.9 cm (mean ± SD) (range, 0.5-5.0 cm). The frequency and type of bile duct changes resulting from radiofrequency ablation, the time interval between radiofrequency ablation and the first appearance of bile duct changes, and the serial changes at follow-up CT were analyzed. Complications related to bile duct changes were also evaluated by reviewing medical records and CT scans. RESULTS. Bile duct changes occurred in 69 (12%) of 571 sessions and 66 (17%) of 389 patients. Bile duct changes seen on CT included mild dilatation of upstream bile ducts surrounding the ablation zone in 57 patients (82.6%), biloma in the ablation zone in four patients (5.8%), and both in eight patients (11.6%). The mean time interval between radiofrequency ablation and the initial appearance of bile duct change was 1.6 months (range, immediate-9 months). Most (87%) of the 69 patients with bile duct changes showed no progression on follow-up CT, and only nine (13%) had slight progression. All patients but one, in whom cholangitis developed, had no major complications requiring specific treatment during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION. Although bile duct changes were frequent after the radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma, most were of no clinical significance, and major complications requiring additional treatment were rare.
AB - OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of bile duct changes after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma and to evaluate their clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Between April 1999 and August 2003, 389 patients with 521 hepatocellular carcinomas underwent a total of 571 sessions of radiofrequency ablation. The maximum dimension of the tumors measured on sonography was 2.4 ± 0.9 cm (mean ± SD) (range, 0.5-5.0 cm). The frequency and type of bile duct changes resulting from radiofrequency ablation, the time interval between radiofrequency ablation and the first appearance of bile duct changes, and the serial changes at follow-up CT were analyzed. Complications related to bile duct changes were also evaluated by reviewing medical records and CT scans. RESULTS. Bile duct changes occurred in 69 (12%) of 571 sessions and 66 (17%) of 389 patients. Bile duct changes seen on CT included mild dilatation of upstream bile ducts surrounding the ablation zone in 57 patients (82.6%), biloma in the ablation zone in four patients (5.8%), and both in eight patients (11.6%). The mean time interval between radiofrequency ablation and the initial appearance of bile duct change was 1.6 months (range, immediate-9 months). Most (87%) of the 69 patients with bile duct changes showed no progression on follow-up CT, and only nine (13%) had slight progression. All patients but one, in whom cholangitis developed, had no major complications requiring specific treatment during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION. Although bile duct changes were frequent after the radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma, most were of no clinical significance, and major complications requiring additional treatment were rare.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=16644380773&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2214/ajr.183.6.01831611
DO - 10.2214/ajr.183.6.01831611
M3 - Article
C2 - 15547200
AN - SCOPUS:16644380773
VL - 183
SP - 1611
EP - 1617
JO - American Journal of Roentgenology
JF - American Journal of Roentgenology
SN - 0361-803X
IS - 6
ER -