Background and Aims The aim of this study was to detect the most important risk factors for recurrence after microwave ablation (MWA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods A total of 92 patients with 110 HCC focal lesions (FLs) underwent MWA therapy. All the patients underwent triphasic CT before and after 1 and 3 months of MWA therapy. Complete ablation and recurrence rates were recorded, and the risk factors associated with recurrence were analyzed.
Results Regarding the 110 HCC FLs that were detected pre-MWA, adequate ablation was recorded post-MWA procedure in 88 FLs (80%) and incomplete ablation in 22 FLs (showed residual contrast enhancement). However, there were newly detected lesions (17 FLs). The rate of recurrence was significantly higher in patients with multiple larger (> 4 cm) sized and hypervascular nodules. Diabetics were significantly associated with a higher recurrence rate of HCC. The rate of recurrence was significantly higher in patients with baseline level of serum alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥200 ng/mL. Stiffer liver> 25 kPa had higher incidence for recurrence after ablation.
Conclusion Meticulous follow-up is mandatory in diabetic patients, patients with AFP > 200 ng/dL starting value, hypervascular large hepatic FL, and in stiffer liver> 25 kPa, as these patients have higher incidence for recurrence after ablation.
Introduction
After hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) interventional therapies, noninvasive vascular diagnostic imaging [duplex, Color/power Doppler ultrasonography, and triphasic computed tomography (CT)] determines the lesion complete/incomplete ablation. The aim was to analyze the usefulness of duplex, color/power Doppler ultrasonography in HCC ablation after percutaneous ablative therapies (PATs).
Methods
We included 30 patients with 33 HCCs subjected to duplex/Doppler ultrasonography, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and triphasic CT, all these before and after PATs.
Results
One week after treatment ended, out of 21 lesions with pretreatment positive color-Doppler, signals disappeared in 19 (90.5%) lesions. Out of 29 lesions with pretreatment positive power-Doppler, signals disappeared in 24 (82.8%). Out of 13 lesions with pretreatment intralesional power/duplex arterial signals, signals disappeared in eight (61.5%). There was a significant correlation (P < 0.05) between power-Doppler arterial signals and FNAC. Before HCC ablation, power-Doppler demonstrated a sensitivity 40% and specificity 96% in HCC detection in relation to FNAC, it had a sensitivity 60% and specificity 85% in HCC detection compared to triphasic CT. After HCC ablation, power-Doppler had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% in viable malignancy detection in relation to FNAC. Power-Doppler had a sensitivity 89% and specificity 93% in residual malignancy detection in relation to triphasic CT.
Conclusion
Power-Doppler is a good positive test as intralesional arterial signals in a cirrhotic liver lesion is highly suggestive of HCC. Power-Doppler was sensitive in HCC ablation assessment in pretreatment positive cases only. Both triphasic CT and duplex/Doppler are complementary and the use of different diagnostic modalities after ablation is mandatory.
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