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| Trace of Electrodes on Follow-up Liver Ultrasonography
After Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency
Ablation: “Tram-Track Sign” |
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| Yun-Jin Jang, MD1, 2 Hyung Jin Won, MD1, Yong Moon Shin, MD1,
Pyo Nyun Kim, MD1, So Yeon Kim, MD1, Hye Jung Kim, MD2 |
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| 1Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center,
University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
2Department of Radiology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea |
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| Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report on the trace of the electrode used
for a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for a hepatic tumor on US images and to determine
its frequency, factors affecting it, and its usefulness.
Materials and Methods: Twenty three patients had 44 RFA zones in the liver. Two
parallel echogenic lines in the RFA zone were regarded as the trace of electrode and
classified into four groups according to length. Parametric variables, including diameter
of the tumor, location of the RFA zone, type of RFA electrode, length of the
exposed tip, and the interval between the RFA procedure and follow-up US examination,
were correlated with grades.
Results: Mean diameter of tumors was 2 cm and 28 of 44 RFA zones were located
in the right hepatic lobe. Forty single and four cluster electrodes were used. Exposed
tips measured 2 cm (n = 8), 2.5 cm (n = 4), and 3 cm (n = 32) in length. Two parallel
echogenic lines more than 1 cm in length were detected in 23 of 44 RFA zones
(52%). The grade of the trace showed negative correlation with the interval (p =
0.014).
Conclusion: According to the results of our study, the frequency of traces of the
electrodes (two parallel echogenic lines more than 1 cm in length, named the“ tramtrack
sign”) was 52%, and these fade over time. This sign could be useful as a landmark
for accurate targeting in cases of local tumor progression. |
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| Keyword : Radiofrequency ablation; Ultrasonography; Electrode; Tram-track sign |
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pdf파일 : 145-150장윤진.pdf 
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> Journal > Journal Search 
Journal of Korean Society of Ultrasound in Medicine 2012 ; 31 (3) : p.145-150
