CO2-enhanced sonographically guided radiofrequency ablation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for small
Kenji Ohmoto1, Naoko Yoshioka, Yasuyuki Tomiyama
1Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan.
Abstract:
We report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma located just below the right hemidiaphragm that was diagnosed as having hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis 12 years ago. Although the lesion was not clear on conventional sonography, it was clearly defined on CO(2)-enhanced sonography, allowing safe and accurate radiofrequency ablation. By combining radiofrequency ablation with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, extensive cauterization and complete tumor necrosis were obtained with only 1 session of treatment. The patient had no serious adverse effects and has shown no recurrence during 35 months of follow-up.
