[Evaluation of combined percutaneous radio-frequency ablation and percutaneous ethanol injection after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of combined CT-guided percutaneous radio-frequency ablation (RFA) plus percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) on nonresectable priminary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: One hundred fifty patients diagnosed as HCC either by pathology or by AFP combined with typical CT and angiographic image findings were studied, 99 men and 51 women, with an average of 51 years. Each patient had at least 3 lesions, ranging from 3.1 to 7.9 cm in diameter, average 5.0 cm. All patients were randomly divided into group A (control group) and group B (combination group) according to their check-in date (odd or even). In group A, 74 patients were treated with RFA alone two weeks after TACE. In group B, 76 patients were treated with RFA plus PEI two weeks after TACE. RESULTS: The complete necrosis rate was 75.8% in group A and 89.5% in group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical therapeutic effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is better than that of RFA alone after TACE in HCC.