Comparative Effectiveness of Computed Tomography- Versus Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Among Medicare Patients 65 Years of Age or Older With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not eligible for surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a promising technique that reduces the risk of disease progression.

Objectives

To evaluate whether the trend of image guidance for RFA is moving toward the more expensive computed tomography (CT) technology and to determine the clinical benefits of CT guidance over the ultrasound (US) guidance.

Methods

A cohort of 463 patients was identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare-linked database. The temporal trends in use of image guidance were assessed using the Cochrane-Armitage test. The associations between modality of image guidance and survival, complications, and costs were assessed using the Cox regressio

SUBMITTER: Huo J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6402784 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature