Artificial ascites technique for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver cancer adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract

Combined percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and ethanol injection for hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk locations

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether combining percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) with radiofrequency ablation in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk locations improves treatment outcomes.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We compared the outcome of management of high-risk tumors with PEI and radiofrequency ablation (n = 50) or radiofrequency ablation alone (n = 114) with the outcome of radiofrequency ablation of non-high-risk tumors (n = 44). We also compared the survival rates of patients with and those without high-risk HCC. PEI was performed into the part of the tumor closest to a blood vessel or vital structure before radiofrequency ablation.

RESULTS

The study included 142 patients with 208 HCCs managed with radiofrequency ablation. Despite larger tumor sizes (2.8 +/- 1 cm vs 1.9 +/- 0.7 cm vs 2.5 +/- 0.1 cm for the high-risk radiofrequency plus PEI, non-high-risk radiofrequency, and high-risk radiofrequency groups, respectively; p < 0.001), the primary effectiveness rate of high-risk radiofrequency ablation and PEI (92%) was similar to that of non-high-risk radiofrequency ablation (96%). The primary effectiveness rate of high-risk radiofrequency ablation and PEI was slightly higher (p = 0.1) than that of high-risk radiofrequency ablation (85%). The local tumor progression rates (21% vs 33% vs 24% at 18 months) of the three respective groups were not statistically different (p = 0.91). Patients with and those without high-risk tumors had equal survival rates (p = 0.42) after 12 (87% vs 100%) and 24 (77% vs 80%) months of follow-up. Independent predictors of primary effectiveness were a tumor size of 3 cm or less (p = 0.01) and distinct tumor borders (p = 0.009). Indistinct borders (p = 0.033) and non-treatment-naive status of HCC (p = 0.002) were associated with higher local tumor progression rates. The only predictor of survival was complete ablation of all index tumors (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The combination of radiofrequency ablation and PEI in the management of HCC in high-risk locations has a slightly higher primary effectiveness rate than does radiofrequency ablation alone. A randomized controlled study is warranted.

CT-guided instillation of 5% dextrose in water into the anterior pararenal space before renal radiofrequency ablation in a porcine model: positive and negative effects

PURPOSE

To assess the positive and negative effects of computed tomographic (CT)-guided instillation of 5% dextrose in water (D5W) into the anterior pararenal space before renal radiofrequency (RF) ablation in a porcine model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Under CT guidance, D5W was instilled into the right anterior pararenal space of 10 pigs and RF ablation performed in the right kidney. For the control lesions, RF ablation was performed in the left kidney of the same pigs without pretreatment with D5W. Approximately 1 week after RF ablation, bowel adhesion to both kidneys was compared by using a 5-point scale at open laparotomy, as follows: grade 0=no adhesion, grade 1=detachable adhesion, grade 2=grade 1 adhesion plus other adhesion to organs, grade 3=undetachable adhesion, and grade 4=bowel perforation. The areas of coagulation necrosis in both kidneys were compared at pathologic examination.

RESULTS

Bowel adhesions to the right kidneys were classified as grade 0 in nine pigs and as grade 1 in one pig, whereas those to the left kidneys were classified as grade 2 in two pigs and as grade 3 in eight (P<.05). The mean areas of coagulation necrosis in right and left kidneys were 0.58 cm2+/-0.5 and 1.53 cm2+/-1.3, respectively (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

CT-guided D5W instillation has a positive effect in reducing the amount of bowel adhesion injury during RF ablation. However, this technique may limit the area of coagulation necrosis in a swine model. Longer term pathologic evaluation is necessary to fully understand the effects of D5W instillation.

Japanese experience in ablation therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma

In the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, only 20-30% of patients are candidates for surgery. Still worse, even after curative surgical resection, 80% of patients develop recurrence within 5 years. Thus, various non-surgical therapies have developed. Among them, image-guided local ablation therapies, such as percutaneous ethanol injection, microwave coagulation and radiofrequency ablation, have been widely used for small hepatocellular carcinoma, because they are potentially curative, minimally invasive and easily repeatable. Percutaneous ethanol injection was a standard therapy. However, there has been a drastic shift from ethanol injection to radiofrequency ablation in recent years. In Japan, 1500 institutes have already introduced radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of liver tumors and the cool-tip electrode system has an 80% share of the market. Radiofrequency ablation can achieve complete tumor necrosis in most cases.Long-term survival seems considerably good, and complications are not frequent in radiofrequency ablation. Randomized controlled trials have proved that radiofrequency ablation is superior to ethanol injection in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma from the viewpoint of, not only treatment response, but also long-term survival. Radiofrequency ablation seems feasible, efficacious and considerably safe. Radiofrequency ablation will be more widely performed in the treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors in Japan.

Delayed Colonic Perforation After Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. Colonic perforation secondary to RFA of the liver is an uncommon complication that has been reported to have an incidence between 0.1% and 0.3%. Lesions adjacent (within 1 cm) to the colonic wall and those in patients with history of upper abdominal surgery or chronic cholecystitis are particularly at risk. More importantly, thermal injury leading to colonic perforation has proved to have a fatal outcome. We present a case of percutaneous RFA in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma that was abutting the colonic hepatic flexure. Colonic perforation was diagnosed on the eighth day postablation when the patient was readmitted with peritonitis.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with artificially induced pleural effusion and ascites

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound-guided procedures are sometimes of limited use because the tumor is located under the diaphragm or near the surface of the liver. We investigated the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with artificial pleural effusion and/or artificial ascites.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and May 2006, 43 lesions in 36 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were treated by RFA with artificial pleural effusion and/or artificial ascites.

RESULTS

Artificial pleural effusion allowed visualization of the whole tumor for 36 (83.7%) of the 43 lesions that were otherwise not detectable or poorly visible. Artificial ascites was also helpful in visualizing whole tumors that could not be visualized with only artificial pleural effusion. In all lesions, artificial pleural effusion and/or artificial ascites were helpful in performing percutaneous RFA. Artificial ascites was useful for creating a space between the liver's surface and the skin or diaphragm to avoid burns. Adverse effects after the induction of artificial pleural effusion included pneumonia in one patient and temporary atelectasis in another patient. Severe side effects were not observed. Complete necrosis after RFA was obtained in 43 (100%) of the 43 lesions. During a mean follow-up period of 31.8 +/- 5.8 months, local recurrence at the ablation site was found in none of the 43 lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous RFA with artificial pleural effusion and/or artificial ascites was a safe and useful treatment that resulted in good local control of HCC.