Incidence and Risk Factors for Liver Abscess After Thermal Ablation of Liver Neoplasm

Percutaneous thermal ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with and without TIPS

PURPOSE

Managing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is becoming increasingly common. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous thermal ablation for treating HCC in patients with TIPS.

METHODS

This retrospective longitudinal study was conducted at Nantes University Hospital. The main inclusion criteria were patients undergoing percutaneous thermal ablation for HCC. Patients with a pre-existing TIPS were included in the 'TIPS group'. A 1:1 control group without TIPS, the 'n-TIPS group', was created for this case-control study. The primary endpoints were overall survival and progression-free survival over 12 months. Safety was assessed by comparing complications between the groups.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2020, 371 patients underwent percutaneous thermal ablation for HCC. The 'TIPS group' included 34 patients (66 nodules), while 34 patients (84 nodules) were randomly assigned to the 'n-TIPS group.' Overall survival rates at 1 year were 97% and 94% respectively (p = 0.52). The progression-free survival rate was 68% and 57% respectively (p = 0.35). No deaths occurred within 30 days post-procedure. There were 3 immediate complications in the TIPS group and 4 in the n-TIPS group (p = 1), none of which were related to the TIPS, including thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous thermal ablation for HCC in patients with TIPS appears to be as safe and effective as in TIPS-naïve patients. These results suggest that the presence of a TIPS should not be considered a contraindication for percutaneous thermal ablation in treating HCC.

Risk Reduction of Intrahepatic Abscess After Locoregional Therapy for Liver Cancer in Patients with Prior Hepatobiliary Intervention

Intrahepatic abscess is an exceedingly rare complication of locoregional therapy for patients with liver cancer. However, in patients who underwent prior hepatobiliary intervention, the incidence of liver abscess increases significantly, causing morbidity and even mortality in such patients. Here, we will review the relative risk of developing a liver abscess after intraarterial and ablative locoregional therapies in patients with liver cancer depending on whether they underwent any kind of prior hepatobiliary procedures that resulted in violation of the Ampulla of Vater. As a result, patients deemed at high risk of developing a liver abscess were treated prophylactically, with the combination of bowel preparation and antibiotics nearly eliminating the occurrence of a liver abscess after locoregional therapy. Therefore, given the significant risk of developing a liver abscess in patients with prior hepatobiliary procedures, management consisting of prophylactic bowel preparation with antibiotic coverage followed by antibiotics post-locoregional therapy is recommended.

Risk factors of complications after thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: the role of assessment of liver background

OBJECTIVE

To use an elastography technology and other clinical and radiological data for assessment of liver background and analyze risk factors of complications after thermal ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

Demographics, laboratory analyses, and radiological characteristics were collected from all patients. Main elastography-related indicators included F index (fibrosis index), A index (inflammation index), ATT (attenuation coefficient), E (kPa), AREA (area of blue parts), and CORR (correlation). All complications after thermal ablation were collected. Univariate analysis was performed to detect significant variables, which subsequently entered a stepwise logistic regression analysis (conditional forward selection) to identify independent variables.

RESULTS

A total of 218 patients from October 2020 to June 2023 with 291 thermal ablation sessions were enrolled. 115 patients (52.8%) developed complications. Fifteen patients (6.9%) developed major complications. Minor complications included postoperative pain (20.6%), fever (19.3%), effusion (22.5%), and hyperammonemia (1.8%). AREA (P = 0.034), tumor size (P = 0.005), and abnormal aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P = 0.018) were independent predictors for complications. F index (P = 0.021), tumor size (P < 0.001), and abnormal AST (P = 0.047) were independent predictors for effusion. The results of univariate analysis of infection showed that tumor size, CORR, ATT, diabetes, Child-Turcotte-Pugh grade, abnormal AST, total protein, and albumin were significant (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Several radiological and combinational elastography indicators related to liver fibrosis, steatosis, or inflammation were significantly correlated with the occurrence of complications. Clinical assessment of the liver background should not be neglected in the management of postablation complications.

The clinical significance of pyogenic liver abscess after transarterial chemoembolization or microwave ablation on malignant liver tumors: A retrospective study

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a rare but severe complication of interventional therapy that has been little studied. We aimed to find the risk factors for PLA after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or microwave ablation (MWA), further explore its clinical significance and summarize our experience with its treatment. Twenty-two patients with PLA and 118 randomly selected patients without PLA after TACE/MWA were enrolled. Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors, a nonparametric test was used to compare recovery duration, the log-rank test was used to compare progression-free survival, and Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated between the time from fever to drainage and the total duration of fever. The disease process and treatment were summarized. Sphincter of Oddi manipulation increased the risk of PLA by 70.781-fold. The PLA group took longer to recover (36.56 ± 16.42 days) than the control group (5.54 ± 4.33 days), and had a shorter progression-free survival. Escherichia coli was the major pathogenic bacterium, and multidrug resistance was found in 8 patients with E coli or Enterococcus faecium. The time from fever to drainage was 15.89 ± 13.78 days, which was positively correlated with the total duration of fever (24.29 ± 18.24 days). Overall, 18 patients recovered, and 4 patients died of PLA, for a mortality rate of 18.18%. The fever of 10 patients (45.45%) was controlled by cefoperazone sodium and sulbactam sodium or piperacillin sodium and tazobactam sodium; the fever of 7 patients (31.81%) was controlled by imipenem and cilastatin sodium; and the fever of 3 patients (13.63%) was controlled by tigecycline. Sphincter of Oddi manipulation is a high-risk factor for PLA after TACE or MWA. PLA can accelerate cancer progression and even lead to death. E coli was the major pathogenic bacterium, and multidrug resistance was most common in E coli and E faecium. Timely drainage and appropriate antibiotics are the key primary measures for treating PLA. Cefoperazone sodium and sulbactam sodium or piperacillin sodium and tazobactam sodium is a good choice for the first treatment of PLA, especially before pathogenic bacteria are identified. With the emergence of drug resistance, imipenem and cilastatin sodium, and tigecycline can be used for posterior treatment.

Tumor complete response and pyogenic liver abscess secondary to concurrent microwave ablation plus atezolizumab and bevacizumab in liver cancer: a case report

Background

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) could be fatal even after standard treatment with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, bevacizumab or microwave ablation may cause PLA, respectively. This paper presents the first case of PLA secondary to the concomitant use of microwave ablation with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in the treatment of liver cancer.

Case Description

A 54-year-old Chinese man with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) C-stage liver cancer complained of fever and chills twenty-nine days after concurrent microwave ablation plus atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Post-hospitalization, a computed tomography revealed a rim-enhancing hypodensity within the right lobe of the liver, approximately 8.8 cm in diameter containing foci of gas. Laboratory examination revealed elevated white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, and blood culture indicated the presence of Escherichia coli bacteremia. The patient was diagnosed with PLA complicated by septic shock, and due to recurrent fever, multiple courses of antibiotics (imipenem/cilastatin sodium, cefoperazone/sulbactam, meropenem, respectively) were administered in combination with five percutaneous drainages over the next 90 days. The patient's fever eventually resolved, and the patient was discharged. The patient was re-treated with two cycles of atezolizumab and bevacizumab initiated in March 2024. An imaging evaluation in May 2023 demonstrated tumor progression. Subsequently, the patient underwent one transarterial chemoembolization procedure and two cycles of atezolizumab and bevacizumab over the subsequent 2 months. Notably, the patient achieved a complete response at the July 2024 imaging evaluation.

Conclusions

In patients undergoing atezolizumab and bevacizumab, the potential risk of PLA versus the antitumor benefit of microwave ablation requires to be assessed. The use of multiple courses of antibiotics over a prolonged period did not appear to influence the effectiveness of atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Further studies are, however, needed to substantiate this finding.

Risk Factors for Hospitalization Duration Longer Than 24 Hours Following Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumours

PURPOSE

Prior studies have described complications of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumours. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for hospitalization duration longer than 24 hours following RFA of liver tumours.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-centre study included patients with liver tumours undergoing RFA between October 2017 and July 2020. Medical records were reviewed to collect patient, tumours, and procedure characteristics for each RFA session. The association between potential risk factors and duration of hospitalization (less than or more than 24 hours) was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Our study included 291 patients (mean age: 65.2 ± 11.2 [standard deviation]; 201 men) undergoing 324 RFA sessions. Sixty-eight sessions (21.0%) resulted in hospitalization of more than 24 hours. Multivariate analysis identified each additional needle insertion per session (OR 1.4; 95% CI [1.1-1.9]; P = .02), RFA performed in segment V (OR 2.8; 95% CI [1.4-5.7]; P = .004), and use of artificial pneumothorax (OR 14.5; 95% CI [1.4-146.0]; P = .02) as potential risk factors. A history of hepatic encephalopathy (OR 2.6; 95% CI [1.1-6.0]; P = .03) was only significant in univariate analysis. Post-hoc, subgroup analysis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (69.8%) did not identify other risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Risk factors for a hospitalization duration longer than 24 hours include a higher number of needle insertions per session, radiofrequency ablation in segment V, and use of an artificial pneumothorax.

Gastrointestinal tract perforation after radiofrequency ablation for hepatic tumor: Incidence and risk factors

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the incidence and mortality rate of gastrointestinal (GI) tract perforation after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatic tumors and assess its risk factors.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 4799 patients with malignant tumors who underwent RFA (n = 7206). Sixty-nine cases of thermal injury to the GI tract were identified via a search of the electronic medical record system using index terms and divided into two groups according to the thermal injury with (n = 8) or without (n = 61) GI tract perforation based on follow-up CT reports. The risk factors for GI tract perforation were identified via multivariable logistic regression analysis using clinical, technical, and follow-up CT findings.

RESULTS

The incidence of thermal injury to the GI tract and GI tract perforation was 0.96 % (69/7206) and 0.11 % (8/7206), respectively. The type of adjacent GI tract and history of diabetes mellitus differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.05). The index tumor being located around the small intestine was the only significant risk factor for GI tract perforation after ablation (Odds ratio, 22.69; 95 % confidence interval, 2.59-198.34; p = 0.005 [reference standard, stomach]). All perforations were not identified on CT images immediately after RFA. The median time to detection was 20 days (range, 3-41 days). Two patients (25 %, 2/8) died due to perforation-related complications.

CONCLUSION

GI tract perforation after RFA for hepatic tumors is rare; however, it is associated with high mortality. Thus, careful follow-up is required after RFA if the index tumor is located around the small intestine.

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Fungemia in an Infected Biloma Patient Following a Traumatic Liver Injury

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa fungemia is rare and highly resistant to antifungal therapy. We herein report a case involving a 31-year-old male admitted after a high-velocity road traffic accident. He sustained a grade IV liver injury with right hepatic vein thrombosis, which necessitated an urgent laparotomy. Post-operatively, repeated imaging of the abdomen revealed the presence of a biloma. Percutaneous subdiaphragmatic drainage was carried out but appeared ineffective, prompting a second surgery for an urgent hemi-hepatectomy. The patient was then nursed in the intensive care unit (ICU); however, during his stay in the ICU, he became more sepsis, which was evident by worsening ventilatory support and a rise in septic parameters from the biochemistry parameters. Despite intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam and fluconazole, his septic parameters did not improve and a full septic workup was conducted and was found to be positive for Rhodotorula mucilaginosa from the blood cultures. After discussion with the infectious disease physicians and clinical microbiologists, it was decided to initiate a course of intravenous meropenem and amphotericin B based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, considering the patient's extended ICU stay and catheter use. Eventually, after successfully weaning off mechanical ventilation, the patient was discharged from ICU care. This case underscores the necessity of individualized approaches, combining timely imaging, appropriate drainage techniques, and tailored treatments to optimize outcomes for such intricate post-traumatic complications.

Role of ablation therapy in conjunction with surgical resection for neuroendocrine tumors involving the liver

BACKGROUND

Resection of hepatic metastasis from neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) improves quality of life and prolongs 5-year survival. Ablation can be utilized with surgery to achieve complete resection. Although several studies report long-term outcomes for patients undergoing ablation, none have explored perioperative effects of ablation in patients with metastatic NETs.

AIM

To determine if intra-operative ablation during hepatectomy increases risk of adverse outcomes such as surgical site infections (SSIs), bleeding, and bile leak.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the hepatectomy National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2015-2019 was performed to determine the odds of SSIs, bile leaks, or bleeding in patients undergoing intraoperative ablation when compared to hepatectomy alone.

RESULTS

Of the 966 patients included in the study, 298 (30.9%) underwent ablation during hepatectomy. There were 78 (11.7%) patients with SSIs in the hepatectomy alone group and 39 (13.1%) patients with a SSIs in the hepatectomy with ablation group. Bile leak occurred in 41 (6.2%) and 14 (4.8%) patients in the two groups, respectively; bleeding occurred in 117 (17.5%) and 33 (11.1%), respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, ablation did not increase risk of SSI (P = 0.63), bile leak (P = 0.34) or bleeding (P = 0.07) when compared to patients undergoing resection alone on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative ablation with hepatic resection for NETs is safe in the perioperative period without significant increased risk of infection, bleeding, or bile leak. Surgeons should utilize this modality when appropriate to achieve optimal disease control and outcomes.

Introduction to interventional oncology: A COG Diagnostic Imaging Committee/SPR Oncology Committee White Paper

Interventional radiology (IR) is a valuable resource when caring for pediatric solid tumor patients. As minimally invasive, image-guided procedures become more relied upon to answer challenging diagnostic questions and provide alternative therapeutic options, IR is poised to become a contributing member of the multidisciplinary oncology team. Improved imaging techniques allow for better visualization during biopsy procedures, transarterial locoregional treatments have the potential to deliver targeted cytotoxic therapy while limiting systemic side effects, and percutaneous thermal ablation can be used to treat chemo-resistant tumors of various solid organs. Additionally, interventional radiologists are able to perform routine, supportive procedures for oncology patients that include central venous access placement, lumbar punctures, and enteric feeding tube placements with high levels of technical success and excellent safety profiles.

The frequency and risk factors of major complications after thermal ablation of liver tumours in 2,084 ablation sessions

Background

To assess the frequency of major complications after thermal ablation of liver tumours and to determine risk factors for adverse events.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted between January 2015 and January 2021. A total of 2,084 thermal ablation sessions in 1,592 patients with primary and metastatic liver tumours were evaluated. The frequency of major complications was evaluated according to the Society of Interventional Radiology Standards, and putative predictors of adverse events were analysed using simple and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Thermal ablation-related mortality was 0.1% (2/2,084), with an overall major complication rate of 5.6% (117/2,084). The most frequent major complication was symptomatic pleural effusion (2.9%, 60/2,084). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a total maximum diameter of lesions >3 cm, microwave ablation (MWA) and MWA combined with radiofrequency ablation, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome were independent prognostic factors for major complications.

Conclusions

Thermal ablation of liver tumours is a safe procedure with an acceptable incidence of major complications. The risk factors identified in this study will help to stratify high-risk patients.

Hepatic Clostridium Perfringens Abscess Formation after Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Report of a Rare Case

Liver abscess formation is one of the major complications following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Clostridium perfringens is a rare but fatal (mortality rate: 70–100%) organism that could lead to severe sepsis. We presented a case where a 63-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic hepatitis B-related cirrhosis in Child-Pugh class A and HCC with initial TNM stage II who had undergone 2 sessions of transarterial chemoembolization. RFA was performed for 4 small HCC due to poor effect of previous transarterial chemoembolization. However, all 4 treated tumors developed liver abscesses presenting with septic shock within 1 day. Aspirated abscesses and blood culture both yielded C. perfringens infection. After intensive care, optimal intravenous antibiotic, and abscesses aspiration, the patient recovered successfully. All tumors achieved complete response during the follow-up period without local recurrence. The clinical presentations and risk factors of C. perfringens−related liver abscess after RFA will be discussed in this manuscript.

The Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Anaerobic Bacteria in Major Liver Resection

(1) Background: Anaerobic infections in hepatobiliary surgery have rarely been addressed. Whereas infectious complications during the perioperative phase of liver resections are common, there are very limited data on the prevalence and clinical role of anaerobes in this context. Given the risk of contaminated bile in liver resections, the goal of our study was to investigate the prevalence and outcome of anaerobic infections in major hepatectomies. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 245 consecutive major hepatectomies that were performed at the department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery of the University Hospital of Tuebingen between July 2017 and August 2020. All microbiological cultures were screened for the prevalence of anaerobic bacteria and the patients' clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated. (3) Results: Of the 245 patients, 13 patients suffered from anaerobic infections. Seven had positive cultures from the biliary tract during the primary procedure, while six had positive culture results from samples obtained during the management of complications. Risk factors for anaerobic infections were preoperative biliary stenting (p = 0.002) and bile leaks (p = 0.009). All of these infections had to be treated by intervention and adjunct antibiotic treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics. (4) Conclusions: Anaerobic infections are rare in liver resections. Certain risk factors trigger the antibiotic coverage of anaerobes.

Risk factors of intrahepatic biloma and secondary infection after thermal ablation for malignant hepatic tumors

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors of biloma formation and secondary infection after thermal ablation for malignant hepatic tumors. Patients and methods: A total of 58 patients with 68 bilomas after thermal ablation were recruited as the complication group, and 61 patients with 72 lesions without major complications were selected randomly as the control group. The potential risk factors for biloma formation were analyzed with the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. To determine the optimum management method for biloma, patients with secondary infection were included for the subgroup analysis of risk factors. Results: A history of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment (odds ratio [OR]: 3.606, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.165-11.156, p = .026) and tumor location (OR: 37.734, 95% CI: 13.058-109.034, p = .000) were independent predictors of biloma formation. Among the 58 patients with biloma, 49 (84.5%) showed no symptoms (i.e., the asymptomatic group), while the remaining 9 (15.5%) developed symptoms related to secondary infections (i.e., the symptomatic group). There were significant differences in the history of biliary manipulation (p = .031) between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. Conclusion: A history of TACE treatment and the distance from the biliary tract were independent predictors of biloma formation after thermal ablation. Therefore, protecting the bile duct (i.e., cooling of the bile duct and combing thermal ablation with chemical ablation) should be considered for high-risk patients. Moreover, active monitoring and management should be performed for patients with bilomas who underwent biliary surgery before.

The aura of malignant tumor: Clinical analysis of malignant tumor-related pyogenic liver abscess

The global incidence of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is increasing, but related reports of malignant tumor-related PLA are infrequent. Potential malignant tumors of PLA have been reported, but there is no relevant predictive model for this subsection of patients.To explore the risk factors of malignant tumor-related PLA.A retrospective analysis about a total of 881 patients who had been diagnosed with PLA from January 2005 to May 2018 was performed. The incidence of malignant tumor-related PLA in the study was 9.99% (88/881) out of all PLA cases. And that of potential malignant tumors with PLA was 4.65% (41/881). There were 62 patients with malignant tumor-related PLA in the observation group, while 146 cases without malignant tumor-related PLA were considered as control group. The data from 52 cases of malignant tumor and nonmalignant tumor-related PLA was verified.The malignant tumor type was mainly hepatobiliary malignant tumor, which occupies 72.3% (45/62) in all malignant tumor related PLA cases used to the model. Compared with nonmalignant tumor group, the rate of ineffective and mortality was higher in the malignant tumor group [19.4%(12/62) vs 7.5%(11/148), P = .01]. Multivariate analysis suggested that hepatobiliary interventional therapy or surgery, hepatitis B virus infection, multiple abscesses, portal embolism, and bile duct dilatation were independent risk factors for potential malignant tumors within the patients who combined with PLA.PLA could be considered as an early warning sign of potential malignant tumors. Malignant tumor-related PLA had a poor prognosis. Patients with PLA who have more than one independent risk factor or logit(P) > -1.694 may be considered as the high risk group for potential hepatobiliary or colorectal malignant tumors.

Individualized Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Tailored Approaches across the Phenotype Spectrum

Ablation is now recommended by international guidelines for the definitive treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Extensive clinical studies have demonstrated outcomes comparable to surgical resection with shorter hospital stays, decreased costs, and improved quality of life. Successful ablation requires complete treatment of both tumor and margin while preserving critical adjacent structures. HCC exhibits highly variable presentations in both anatomic involvement and biology which have significant implications on choice of ablative therapy. There are now abundant ablation modalities and adjunctive techniques which can be used to individualize ablation and maximize curative results. This article provides a patient-centered summary of approaches to HCC ablation in the context of patient performance, hepatic reserve, tumor phenotype and biology, intra- and extrahepatic anatomy, and ablation technology.

Septic Shock and Death after Microwave Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Liver Transplant Patient with a Bilioenteric Anastomosis

Percutaneous thermal ablation of hepatic tumors continues to play an integral role in the treatment of early-stage primary or secondary hepatic malignancies. Interventional radiologists must be familiar with potential complications of this procedure, associated risk factors, and methods for prevention. The authors report a devastating case of septic shock and death following percutaneous microwave ablation of a solitary hepatocellular carcinoma in a liver transplant patient with a bilioenteric anastomosis (BEA). We review the literature regarding prophylactic antibiotic regimens and bowel preparation prior to performing thermal ablation in patients with BEAs.

Asymptomatic pyogenic liver abscesses secondary to Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus vestibularis in an immunocompetent patient

A 66-year-old male patient presented with symptoms and signs of L4/5 radiculopathy. He was found to be anaemic with elevated inflammatory markers and deranged hepatic enzymes. Imaging revealed lumbar canal stenosis and the presence of pyogenic liver abscesses from which Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus vestibularis were isolated. The hepatic abscesses were attributed to asymptomatic diverticular perforation. Multiple coexisting incidental infections were discovered, including oesophageal candidiasis, Helicobacter pylori, stool cultures positive for Strongyloides stercoralis, and sputum cultures positive for Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium avium Extensive investigations for possible underlying immunosuppression were negative.