Abstract
We present a case of seeding recurrence of needle-tract on the thoracic wall after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patient was a 72-year-old man who underwent RFA, using a cool-tip type electrode for the HCC in liver segment 6 in January 2003 and June 2004. In October 2004, a metastatic lesion was detected in the liver segment 3, and partial resection of the liver was done in March 2005. However, after the operation, the serum alpha-fetoprotein level continuously increased. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a tumor, 3 cm in diameter, at the intercostal site which was the punctured site of RFA. In May 2005, we performed a resection of the thoracic tumor. Pathologic examination revealed well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, and we diagnosed it as needle-tract seeding recurrence on the thoracic wall after RFA. Further study and surveillance are necessary for needle-tract seeding after percutaneous RFA.
