Hepatocellular carcinoma: a case of extrahepatic seeding after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using an expandable needle electrode

Hepatogastroenterology. 2002 Jul-Aug;49(46):897-9.

Abstract

A 2.5-cm diameter, exophytic seeding of hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by contrast-enhanced computed tomography in a 76-year-old man. He had previously undergone a radiofrequency ablation therapy with an expandable, ten-hook needle electrode for the treatment of a 1.5-cm hepatocellular carcinoma in liver segment VI. Ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy revealed that this hepatocellular carcinoma was moderately differentiated, as initial tumor was. An additional radiofrequency ablation achieved complete ablation of this neoplastic mass on contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning. Recurrences were not found for eight months after. To prevent tumor seeding, using thermocoagulation when retracting the needle electrode may be useful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / therapy
  • Electrodes / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Hyperthermia, Induced / adverse effects
  • Hyperthermia, Induced / instrumentation*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Needles / adverse effects*
  • Neoplasm Seeding*
  • Retreatment
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed