Multibipolar radiofrequency vs single needle microwave ablation for the treatment of newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma

Table 4 Major complications according to the society of interventional radiology classification (n = 362 patients)

Society of interventional radiology classification	Treatment group
	MWA, n = 9 (7.5%)	Mbp-RFA, n = 23 (9.5%)
Grade C	4 (3.3%): 2 patients with portal thrombus requiring anticoagulation; 2 patients with symptomatic undrained pleural effusion	9 (3.7%): 3 patients with portal thrombus requiring anticoagulation; 2 patients with symptomatic undrained pleural effusion; 1 patient with ascitic decompensation treated with diuretics; 2 patients with pneumopathy treated with antibiotics; 1 patient with soft tissue hematoma with pain
Grade D	4 (3.3%): 2 patients with symptomatic pleural effusion with indication for pleural drainage; 1 patient with cessation of the procedure after treatment of the first nodule for dyspnea, transfer to intensive care; 1 patient with drained pneumothorax	13 (5.4%): 8 patients with symptomatic pleural effusion with indication for pleural drainage; 2 patients with reactive cholecystitis (1 operated, 1 medically treated); 1 patient with an arterio-portal fistula requiring remote embolization; 2 patients with an infection of the surgical site (one with pre-hepatic collection, on with intra-hepatic collection in contact with the scar)
Grade E	1 (0.8%): 1 patient with necrosis of the left lobe with stay in intensive care	1 (0.4%): 1 biliopleural fistula requiring drainage and thoracoscopy
Grade F	0	0

MWA: Microwave ablation; Mbp-RFA: Multibipolar radiofrequency ablation.