Abstract
Background/Aims : We examined whether fourdimensional real-time flow imaging on ultrasonography (US) is valuable to display the accurate position of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) needle in the nodule of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methodology : Twenty-five patients with 28 HCC nodules were studied. Percutaneous RFA was performed with four-dimensional real-timeflowimaging under US to display the accurate position of cool-tip needle.
Results : It was possible to obtain accurate position of needle during RFA procedure in all 28 nodules. The needle was confirmed to be inserted into the center of tumor nodule by various angles.
Conclusions : It appeared that four-dimensional real-time US provided more perceptible information on the spatial relationship between RFA needle and the target lesion, and resulted in accurate therapeutic efficacy for percutaneous RFA procedure.
