Safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular adenoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the treatment of hepatocellular adenoma (HCA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2000 to 2009, 170 patients with HCA were referred to a single tertiary hepatobiliary center. Medical records of 18 patients treated with RF ablation were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: All patients were female, and the majority had a history of hormonal contraceptive use. Ten patients (56%) had multiple HCAs, with a median number of two lesions (range, one to 12) per patient. Median size of HCA at the time of RF ablation was 3.0 cm (range, 0.8-7.3 cm). A total of 45 HCAs were ablated in 32 sessions (open, n = 4; percutaneous, n = 28). RF ablation was complete after the first session in 26 HCAs (57.8%), and the majority of patients underwent multiple RF ablation sessions to fully ablate all HCAs. Major complications developed in two patients.

CONCLUSIONS: RF ablation can be used effectively in the treatment of HCA. However, multiple sessions are often required, and signs of residual adenoma might persist in some patients despite repetitive treatment. RF ablation might be especially beneficial in cases not amenable to surgery or in patients who would require major hepatic resection otherwise.