Outcome of MR-guided percutaneous cryoablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

To assess the mid-term results of MR-guided percutaneous cryoablation for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using an argon-based cryoablation system, MR-guided percutaneous cryoablation was performed. The number of tumors was three or fewer. The maximum diameter of tumors was less than 5 cm when solitary and no more than 3 cm when multiple. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival of patients. Among 15 patients, 16 tumors were treated. The maximum tumor diameter ranged from 1.2 to 4.5 cm, with a mean of 2.5 +/- A 0.8 cm (mean +/- A standard deviation). The volume of iceballs measured on MR-images was greater than that of the tumors in all cases. The follow-up period ranged from 10 to 52 months, with a mean of 36.6 +/- A 12.1 months. One-year and 3-year overall survival were 93.8 and 79.3%, respectively. The complete ablation rate was 80.8% at 3 years. Immediate complications were pneumothorax, hemothorax, and pleural effusion. An ablation zone was not absorbed and content exuded from a scar of the probe tract 4 months after cryoablation in one patient. MR-guided percutaneous cryoablation appears to be a feasible modality and potentially good option for the treatment of small HCC.