Abstract: Objective To distinguish residual tumor from inflammation after radiofrequency ablation （RFA） in hepatic VX2 carcinoma in rabbits according to the comparative study between CT and pathological findings. Methods CT and pathologic examination were performed in different stages after RFA in rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumors. Results Marginal enhancement band was showed in enhanced CT scan in both residual tumor and inflammation,but the enhancement of inflammation in peripheral liver tissues around the tumors was gradually weakened and disappeared two weeks later. Conclusion The residual tumor and inflammation could not be distinguished through enhanced CT scanning within 1 week after RFA. Low intensity lesions with peripheral enhancement 2 weeks after RFA should be recognized as residual tumor.

Key words: Liver neoplasms, Radiofrequency ablation, Inflammation, Computed tomography