A case of diaphragmatic hernia induced by radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

A 67-year-old woman who had been treated with perctaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the liver S5/8 6 months earlier was admitted to our hospital because of the sudden onset of right upper abdominal pain. A chest plain X-ray film and an abdominal CT scan revealed a diaphragmatic hernia, and then we performed urgent surgery. On laparotomy, we confirmed that the small intestine had slid into the right thoracic cavity through a defect of the diaphragm burned by RFA.
Hernia of the diaphragm following RFA often occurs when about one year has elapsed after the treatment and sometimes causes the fatal state. The follow-up observation after RFA is thus important and surgical treatment is recommended when the diaphragmatic hernia is found.