Abstract
Reports of diaphragmatic hernia associated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare. We report 2 cases of diaphragmatic hernia that developed after RFA for HCC. Case 1 involved a 65-year-old man who had undergone percutaneous RFA for HCC located in the S5 and S7 areas. Three years later, he underwent surgery from the abdominal cavity side based on the diagnosis of right diaphragmatic hernia made by another hospital. One year later, the right diaphragmatic hernia recurred, necessitating the performance of video-assisted thoracic surgery at our hospital. The defect of the diaphragm was covered with mesh. Case 2 involved a 73-year-old woman who had undergone percutaneous RFA for HCC located in the S7 area. Subsequently, she underwent 3 sessions of RFA for HCC localized in the S3, S1, and S4 areas. Seven years after the first RFA, right diaphragmatic hernia occurred, and we performed surgery via thoracotomy. The defect of the diaphragm was repaired by direct suture. The thoracotomic approach may be a safe and useful option for the treatment of diaphragmatic hernia after RFA.
