Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy. Surgical resection and local ablative therapies represent the most frequent first lines therapies adopted when liver transplantation cannot be offered. Aim of the work: was to evaluate the feasibility of DWI and the corresponding ADC values to detect tumor response after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and methods: MR examinations were done for 20 HCC patients post-RFA. Pre and postgadolinium enhanced images as well as DW sequences were performed. ADC values of ablation zones and liver parenchyma were assessed. ADC values of ablation zones and adjacent signal alterations identified in DWI were analyzed. Results: Residual or recurrent lesions were detected in 4 patients (20%). The mean ADC value of ablated zones differed significantly from that of normal liver parenchyma. The corresponding ADC values were significantly lower in patients with residual lesion than in patients without residual lesion. Conclusion: It could be concluded that DWI is a feasible follow-up tool for postablation liver contributing in detection of residual lesion.

Authors and Affiliations