A case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) successfully treated with radiofrequency interstitial tissue ablation (RITA) : Histological evaluation for ultrasound findings of HCC after the treatment

Abstract

Fifty-one year old man was treated with RITA (50 W, 100°C, 10 min) for his histologically proven HCC (25 × 17 mm). In series, ultrasound and histological study were performed before, 1 week after, and 5 months after the treatment. A fishing look like high-echoic lines, corresponding with the shape of the electrodes of the RITA needle, were observed in the center of the tumor by ultrasound immediately after the treatment, and was continued for 5 months. Histology showed this high-echoic line was coagulation necrosis around RITA needle. Though, basic finding of the HCC (low-echoic) had not been changed before and after the treatment, biopsy specimen revealed the tumor had after the treatment, biopsy specimen revealed the tumor had already been degenerated 1 week after, and had been entirely substituted with coagulation necrosis 5 months after the treatment.