Jeong-Min Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Advisory Board, Bayer AG

Soo Young Shin, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Se Hyung Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jae Young Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Joon Koo Han MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To prospectively evaluate diagnostic impact of a Hepacare software which allows registration between Pre- and Post-RFA CT scans for safety margin assessment, and also determine its impact on tumor recurrence (TR), in comparison with conventional method of side by side CT comparison.

This study was approved by IRB and informed consent was obtained. 171 patients with a single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) referred to the department of radiology for RFA were enrolled. CT scans obtained by triple phase MDCT were analyzed by two radiologists, with and without a registration software (Hepacare). To evaluate the clinical impact of the program, data of TR up to 13 months, compiled from the study group (n=171), was compared with control group data (n=196) of side by side pre-and post-RFA CT comparison for safety margin assessment.

Using Hepacare, 15%(26/171) of patients had conflicting assessments on safety margin and the necessity of additional RFA, with their CT scan visual comparisons. Among patients who had conflicting assessments with Hepacare showing the needs of further treatments, patients who underwent repeated RFA showed lower local TR than patients who didn’t (0% versus 18% with a P-value of 0.199). In addition, compared to the control group who had visual comparisons of CT for safety margin assessment, Hepacare assisted diagnoses resulted in lower local TR (3.5% versus 12.25% with a P-value of 0.002), and slightly lower intrahepatic remote TR (26% versus 33% with a P-value of 0.171).

Addition of follow-up image registration of pre- and post-RFA CT resulted in significant changes in the necessity of additional treatments. The use of Hepacare with pre- and post- RFA CT in diagnosis reduced local TR of HCCs.

Patients following Hepacare diagnoses decreased TR possibly leading to better patient outcome, as well as saving time and medical costs for patients and hospitals.

Lee, J, Shin, S, Kim, S, Lee, J, Han, J, Post-ablation Assessment Using Follow-up Registration Images of Pre- and Post-RF Ablation CT Scans: Prospective Evaluation of Mid-term Therapeutic Results of RFA for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11016204.html