Objective:To compare ultrasound (US) guided versus computed tomography (CT) guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The data of 133 patients with early HCC treated by RFA in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Shandong Provincial Hospital from February 1, 2015, to January 31, 2017, was analyzed retrospectively. These patients were divided into two groups: the US-guided group and the CT-guided group. The clinical data was collected and the factors affecting prognosis were analyzed.Results:Compared with the CT-guided group, the operation time of the US-guided group was significantly shorter [(29.0±12.0)min vs. (55.0±19.0)min, P<0.05], but the number of ablation sessions per tumor was significantly less [(1.1±0.3) vs. (2.0±0.6), P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in the complete ablation rates, postoperative complication rates and postoperative length of hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). The CT-guided group was superior to the US-guided group in the local tumor recurrence and progression-free survival rates ( P<0.05). On multivariate analysis, CT-guided RFA was an independent protective factor for local tumor recurrence ( HR=0.266, 95% CI: 0.073-0.967, P<0.05) and progression-free survival ( HR=0.415. 95% CI: 0.213-0.806, P<0.05), while AFP >20 ng/ml ( HR=4.821, 95% CI: 1.714-13.560, P<0.05) was an independent risk factor for progression-free survival. Conclusion:CT-guided percutaneous RFA was superior to US-guided RFA in local treatment of early HCC, probably related to more needle placements and longer ablation time under CT guidance.