Radiofrequency ablation with monopolar cluster versus bipolar multipolar electrodes for the ablation of >= 2.5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation using a monopolar cluster and a bipolar multipolar electrode for the ablation of (>= 2.5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: 34 patients with a single HCC (mean size, 4.46 +/- 2.3 cm; range, 2.5-7.4 cm) underwent percutaneous RFA with monopolar cluster (n = 18) or bipolar multipolar electrodes (n = 16). Technical success, technical effectiveness, major complications, and tumor progression were compared. Results: Technical success was achieved in 83, 3%, and 81.3% of patients in the monopolar cluster and bipolar multipolar group respectively. Technical effectiveness was achieved in 87.5% and 94.4% of patients treated by monopolar cluster electrodes and bipolar multipolar electrodes, respectively (P = 0.591). No major complications were developed. Follow-up mean period was 21.4 months. The median local tumor progression rates were 17.7 and 22.7 months in the monopolar cluster and bipolar multipolar group respectively. On multivariate analysis, the use of a monopolar cluster electrode (P = 0.239) was risk factor for complication. Conclusion: There were no differences in terms of complete ablation, local tumor progression, distant recurrence, and complication rates, but the overall survival regarding the distant recurrence and the life expectancy is better in bipolar multipolar electrodes compared to the monopolar cluster electrodes. (C) 2016 The Egyptian Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier.