[Usefulness of CT-guided RFA for hepatocellular carcinoma]

US-guided puncture is the simplest and most popular method in the RFA treatment for HCC. However, depending on the location of tumors, it is often difficult to detect them by US. We report here the utility of CT-guided RFA for the treatment of HCC. We performed CT-guided RFA for 27 nodules in 21 patients with HCC from July 1999 to June, 2001. We used the LeVeen Needle Electrode made by Boston Company and the Cool-tip type electrode made by Radionics Company. We judged the effects of the treatment by dynamic CT within 7 days after RFA. We were able to accomplish the treatment for all patients with the exception of one case who developed severe pain during RFA. We experienced transient increases of AST/ALT in a few cases, subcutaneous emphysema in one case, pleural effusion and ascites in two cases, but conservative treatments were effective for all cases. US-guided puncture was especially useful for the treatment of the tumors localized below the diaphragm that were hardly detectable by US.