Dongik Cha
Sungkyunkwan University · Medicine
About the Lab
Professor Dongik Cha's research lab specializes in interventional radiology and image-guided therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with a focus on optimizing percutaneous ablation techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol injection (PEI). The lab investigates advanced imaging modalities—particularly dual-energy CT, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), and biplane fluoroscopy—to improve lesion characterization, treatment guidance, and outcome prediction. Key research directions include enhancing local tumor control, minimizing complications, and developing predictive models for early recurrence in HCC patients. The lab integrates advanced imaging with interventional interventions to improve precision and efficacy in liver tumor management.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Selected Papers
11OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of dual-energy CT (DECT) for differentiating between solid and benign cystic lesions presenting as hyperdense renal lesions incidentally detected on single-phase post-contrast CT. METHODS: 90 hyperdense renal lesions incidentally detected on single-phase post-contrast CT were evaluated with follow-up DECT. DECT protocols included true non-contrast (TNC), DE corticomedullary and DE late nephrographic phase imaging. The CT numbers of hyperdense renal lesions w
Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) alone and combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in high risk locations. Materials and Methods: We performed PEI for HCCs in RFA-high risk locations, either alone or in combination with RFA. There were 20 HCCs (1.7 ± 0.9 cm) in 20 patients (PEI group: n = 12; PEI + RFA group: n = 8). We evaluated technical success, local tumor progression and complications
Objective: To determine whether pretreatment evaluation with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is effective for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with poor conspicuity on conventional ultrasonography (US). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was waived. From June 2008 to July 2011, 82 patients having HCCs (1.2 ± 0.4 cm) with poor conspicuity on planning US for RFA wer
Objective: To assess the technical feasibility and local efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for an intermediate-sized (3-5 cm in diameter) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) under the dual guidance of biplane fluoroscopy and ultrasonography (US). Materials and Methods: Patients with intermediate-sized HCCs were treated with percutaneous RFA combined with TACE. RFA was performed under the dual guidance of biplane fluoro
Objective: To assess the technical feasibility and local efficacy of biplane fluoroscopy plus US-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for viable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) around retained iodized oil after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Materials and Methods: Our prospective study was approved by our institutional review board and informed consent was obtained from all participating patients. For patients with viable HCC around retained iodized oil after TACE,
Objective: To evaluate the performance of predicting early recurrence using preoperative factors only in comparison with using both pre-/postoperative factors. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 549 patients who had undergone curative resection for single hepatcellular carcinoma (HCC) within Milan criteria. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify pre-/postoperative highrisk factors of early recurrence after hepatic resection for HCC. Two prediction models for early HCC r
We introduce two cases in which positron emission tomography (PET)/CT delineated viable malignant tissue from nonmalignant areas and guided us to successful biopsies when conventional CT failed to do so. According to our experience, PET/CT appears to be helpful in deciding the adequate site for biopsy in patients with lung cancer, owing to its capability to delineate malignant from nonmalignant areas, and also to reflect the areas with the most aggressive behaviors, especially in the era of the
Research Areas
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