OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of ultrasound-guided laser thermal ablation (LTA) in the treatment of small liver cancer at high-risk sites. METHODS: A total of 73 lesions ablated with LTA in 68 patients with small liver cancer. After the operation, the rates of complete ablation were compared between patients with lesions of different sizes and at different sites using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and the complications were recorded during the follow-up. RESULTS: The complete ablation rates for carcinomas ≤1 cm, 1-2 cm, and 2-3 cm were 100%, 86.4%, and 82.7%, respectively, showing no significant differences among them (P>0.05). The complete ablation rates of lesions were similar between the high-risk and low-risk groups (85.7% vs 92.1%; P>0.05). The two groups showed no significant difference in the incidence of complications (9.1% vs 5.7%; P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided LTA can be a good option for treatment of small liver cancers at high-risk sites.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of ultrasound-guided laser thermal ablation (LTA) in the treatment of small liver cancer at high-risk sites. METHODS: A total of 73 lesions ablated with LTA in 68 patients with small liver cancer. After the operation, the rates of complete ablation were compared between patients with lesions of different sizes and at different sites using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and the complications were recorded during the follow-up. RESULTS: The complete ablation rates for carcinomas ≤1 cm, 1-2 cm, and 2-3 cm were 100%, 86.4%, and 82.7%, respectively, showing no significant differences among them (P>0.05). The complete ablation rates of lesions were similar between the high-risk and low-risk groups (85.7% vs 92.1%; P>0.05). The two groups showed no significant difference in the incidence of complications (9.1% vs 5.7%; P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided LTA can be a good option for treatment of small liver cancers at high-risk sites.