Utility of Fusion Imaging for Percutaneous Thermal Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Caudate Lobe.

The treatment outcomes of ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe with and without fusion imaging (FI) assistance were evaluated and compared. Twenty-six patients with 28 tumors in the FI group and 8 patients with 8 tumors in the non-FI group were included. Although a higher number of tumors measured >20 mm in the FI group, the technique efficacy and local tumor progression were similar between the 2 groups (P > .99 and P = .45, respectively). FI aided in the detection, guidance, and treatment monitoring of thermal ablation for caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinomas, especially for tumors measuring >20 mm.