To explore the feasibility and clinical value of ultrasound-guided needle biopsy during liver tumor thermal ablation.

A total of 39 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided liver tumor ablation in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from August 2015 to July 2016 were enrolled in this prospective study. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. There were 28 males and 11 females, with an average age of (53±12) years. 31 cases were diagnosed with primary liver cancer (PLC), 1 case with hepatic metastases and 7 cases with benign hepatic lesions. The diameter of lesions were 11-43 mm, with a median of 23 mm. Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the tumors was performed with COOK semi-automatic biopsy needle during ablation. Postoperative complications were observed.

The operations of all 39 patients were performed successfully and the disease was confirmed pathologically. 31 cases of PLC, 1 case of hepatic metastases, 2 cases of hepatic hemangioma, 2 cases of focal nodular nodules, 1 case of hepatic adenoma and 2 cases of atypical hyperplasia nodules were confirmed by pathological examination, and the positive rate was 100%. No puncture tract bleeding was observed.

Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy during liver tumor thermal ablation is safe and feasible, which can not only achieve the goal of treatment, but also make a definitive diagnosis.