Transcatheter CT hepatic arteriography-guided percutaneous ablation to treat ablation site recurrences of colorectal liver metastases: the incomplete ring sign.

Transcatheter computed tomography (CT) arterial portography-guided percutaneous liver tumor ablation has been proved to be feasible and accurate in treating liver metastases from colorectal origin that are obscure on ultrasound and unenhanced CT. However, distinguishing local recurrence from scars after ablation can still be difficult. This report describes nine patients with recurrences after ablation in whom transcatheter CT hepatic arteriography allowed differentiation of recurring and residual tumor tissue (incomplete ring enhancing lesion) from tumor-free nonenhancing scars. Using CT hepatic arteriography, it is possible to plan and guide percutaneous retreatment and confirm technical success without performing oversized repeat ablations or jeopardizing patients renal function.