Abstract:Objective To study the correlation between ultrasonography and prognosis of radiofrequency ab- lation (RFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (SHCC). Methods A total of 97 cases of SHCC with RFA were included in a retrospective analysis from January 2006 to December 2010. Patients were divided into 2 types according to ultrasound images: type 1, with halo sign (n = 29); type 2, without halo sigh ( n= 68). Type 2 was further categorized into three subgroups: type 2a, homogenous hyperecho (n = 9); type 2b, hypoecho with smooth margins (n = 43); and type 2c (n = 16), hypoecho with irregular or unclear margins. Patients with type 2a SHCC were excluded due to the small number of cases. Results Two-year recurrence rates for type 2b,type 1 and type 2c were 26%, 42% and 69%, respectively, with significant differences between type 2b and type 2c (P = 0.008), and between type 1 and type 2c (P = 0.005). Five-year survival rates were 89%, 43% and 65%, respectively. Survival time of type 2b was significantly longer than that of other types (type 1 vs type 2b, P= 0.009; type 2b vs type 2c,P = 0.008). Multivariate analysis identified that ultrasound classification was independent of recurrence (P = 0.027) and survival (P = 0.003). Conclusion B-mode ultrasound classification of SHCC is a predictive factor of prognosis of RFA.