Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for giant hepatic hemangioma

Ablation for Benign Liver Tumors: Current Concepts and Limitations

Percutaneous ablation under imaging guidance is a curative treatment that can induce complete tumor necrosis with advantages of minimal invasiveness and a low risk of complications. Thermal ablation, which includes radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation, is a representative technique that has sufficient antitumor effects in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma with ≤3 lesions measuring ≤3 cm and preserved liver function. The short- and long-term outcomes of patients are comparable with those achieved with surgical resection. Despite their nonmalignant nature, some benign liver tumors require treatment for symptoms caused by the presence of the tumor and/or continuous enlargement. Ablation may be the treatment of choice because it has lower burden on patients than surgical treatment. This review describes the recent concepts, progress, and limitations of ablation-based treatment for benign liver tumors.

Dual-Applicator MR Imaging-Guided Microwave Ablation with Real-Time MR Thermometry: Phantom and Porcine Tissue Model Experiments

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of simultaneous use of dual applicators on the image quality of real-time magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry and to characterize the dual-applicator treatment zone pattern during MR imaging-guided microwave ablation (MWA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MWA experiments were performed on a 1.5-T MR scanner with 2 commercial microwave systems (902-928 MHz). Phantom experiments were first performed to evaluate the effect of dual-applicator MWA on the image quality of MR. Then, porcine tissue model experiments were conducted with real-time MR thermometry using either a single applicator or dual applicators inserted 2.6, 3.6, and 4.6 cm apart. Fiberoptic thermal probes were used to measure the temperature changes at the tissue surface.

RESULTS

Simultaneous use of dual applicators resulted in a decrease in the relative signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the MR thermometry images to 55% ± 2.9% when compared with that of a single applicator (86.2% ± 2.0%). Despite the lower SNR, the temperature and ablation zone maps were of adequate quality to allow visualization of the ablation zone(s). The extents of increase in the temperature at the tissue surface using dual applicators (19.7 °C ± 2.6 °C) and a single applicator (18.2 °C ± 3.3 °C) were not significantly different (P = .40). Treatment zones were significantly larger (P < .05) in dual-applicator ablations (29.4 ± 0.4, 39.9 ± 0.6, and 42.6 ± 0.9 cm² with 2.6-, 3.6-, and 4.6-cm spacing, respectively) at the end of the ablation procedure than in the single-applicator MWA (18.6 ± 0.9 cm²).

CONCLUSIONS

MR imaging-guided dual-applicator MWA produced larger ablation zones while allowing adequate real-time MR thermometry image quality for monitoring the evolution of the treatment zone.

Effectiveness of microwave ablation for the treatment of hepatic hemangioma - meta-analysis and meta-regression

BACKGROUND

The treatment of hepatic hemangioma includes surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation and Transarterial embolization. However, complications, mortality and compromised effectiveness limit their applications. Microwaves with effective heating generation and short ablation time become a promising treatment. The aim of this study is to conduct systematic review and meta-analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of Microwave Ablation (MWA) for the treatment of hepatic hemangioma.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed. Main outcomes were defined as hemangioma decreases in diameters and volume changes post-MWA. Conventional random-effect meta-analysis technique was applied to analyze the pooled data, and meta-regression model was established to explore the association among factors.

RESULTS

There were nine studies with a total of 501 patients retrieved. The pooled estimate of mean differences and 95% CI of hemangioma decreases after MWA treatment in diameter and in volume change (%) were 3.009 cm and (1.856, 4.161), and 53.169% and (51.274, 55.065), respectively. The pooled estimates of liver enzyme, ALT and AST, elevation were 219.905 with 95%CI (160.860, 278.949) and 315.679 with 95%CI (226.961, 404.397), respectively. Major complications were defined as acute kidney injury (AKI), pleural effusion, diaphragmatic hernia, and jaundice that needed to be treated, and the pooled incidence was 0.017 with 95% CI of (0.006, 0.029). No mortality related to MWA was reported. Meta-regression showed ablation time was associated with pre-operative lesion size (p = .001).

CONCLUSION

MWA is effective and safe in treatment of hepatic hemangioma, and our study suggests that hemangioma size should be investigated in the future MWA pretreatment difficulty scoring system study.

The surgical outcomes and risk factors of giant hepatic haemangiomas: a single centre experience

Objective

To evaluate the safety of performing surgery on cavernous haemangiomas in the liver larger than 10 cm and establish preoperative predictors of intraoperative blood transfusion and morbidity.

Methods

A total of 373 patients with haemangiomas larger than 10 cm who underwent surgery in our hospital were retrospectively analysed. According to tumour diameter, the patients were divided into a giant haemangioma (GH) group (241 cases) (10 cm ≤ diameter < 15 cm) and an enormous haemangioma (EH) group (132 cases) (diameter ≥ 15 cm). Clinical parameters were then compared between the two groups.

Results

Compared with the GH group, the EH group had higher rates of leukopenia (10.6% vs. 4.5%), anaemia (26.5% vs. 15.7%), and thrombocytopenia (13.6% vs. 6.2%). The occlusion time in the EH group was longer than that in the GH group (26.33 ± 14.10 min vs. 31.85 ± 20.09 min, P < 0.01). The blood loss and blood transfusion in the EH group were greater than those in the GH group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the morbidity in the EH group was higher than that in the GH group (17.4% vs. 9.13%, P < 0.05). According to the results of the multivariable analysis, the operation time and size of the haemangioma may be independent risk factors for blood transfusion (P < 0.05). Additionally, the size of the haemangioma may be an independent risk factor associated with complications (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Enormous haemangioma is more likely to cause haematologic abnormalities than giant hepatic haemangioma. The risks of the operation and postoperative complications of enormous haemangioma are higher than those of giant hepatic haemangioma.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous sclerotherapy versus surgical resection in the treatment of large hepatic hemangiomas: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

It is no consensus on the best management for patients with large hepatic hemangiomas. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous sclerotherapy compared to surgical resection for large hepatic hemangiomas.

METHODS

A total of 89 patients with large hepatic hemangiomas from single center underwent either percutaneous sclerotherapy (n = 14) or surgical resection (n = 75) as first-line treatment was retrospectively studied, followed up for 9-24 months using ultrasound. Terms of intraoperative and postoperative information, postoperative complications, and treatment effectiveness were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Percutaneous sclerotherapy had shorter operative time (p < 0.001), less blood loss, lower rate of prophylactic abdominal drainage (97.3% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), fewer minor complications (48.0% vs. 7.1%, p < 0.01), shorter hospital stay (p < 0.001), lower hospital cost (p < 0.001), higher Alb level (p < 0.001) and lower postoperative clinical index including ALT, AST and WBC (p < 0.001 for both) than did surgical resection. The major complications were demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups. In addition, the mean maximum cross-sectional areas of hemangioma dropped from 5044.1 ± 2058.0 mm² to 1924.6 ± 1989.5 mm² (65.2% reduction) during 9-24 months follow-up (p < 0.001) in the percutaneous sclerotherapy group, while all patients in the surgical resection group achieved complete response.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous sclerotherapy is the preferred method for the treatment of large hepatic hemangioma over surgical resection when compared with the items of postoperative recovery, blood loss, complications, hospital stays, and lower hospital costs. The reduction of the maximum cross-sectional area of hepatic hemangioma in the percutaneous sclerotherapy group is satisfactory.

Effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

Background

Microwave ablation (MWA) is a popular therapy for liver malignant tumor in recent years. Few studies have been conducted on its use in the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MWA in the treatment of HAE.

Methods

This study analyzed the data of 45 patients (mean age, 38 ± 2 years; 24 males) diagnosed with HAE and underwent MWA treatment between June 2014 to December 2019. The patients after MWA were examined by CT or MRI [follow-up: 32 months (IQR 23–48.5)] to determine whether the lesions were relapsed and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of MWA. The safety of MWA was evaluated by monitoring postoperative complications. Clinical data, such as patient demographics, imaging features of the lesions, relevant findings of laboratory tests before and after ablation, and information related to ablation, were collected and analyzed. Paired-sample t tests and paired-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare relevant laboratory indicators before and after MWA.

Results

MWA was applied to 57 HAE lesions in 45 patients. The median size of lesions was 3.42 cm (IQR2.85–4.41). The rate of complete ablation was 100% (57/57). The median follow-up time was 32 months (IQR 23–48.5). The recurrence rate was 13% (6/45), and the median time of recurrence was 22 months. The rate of minor complications was 11.1% (5/45), and there were no major complications and deaths. Compared to preoperative, ALB, RBC, HBG, and PLT were decreased (p < 0.001); ALT, TB, DB, and WBC were increased (p < 0.001); and no statistically difference in PT, APTT, and INR (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

MWA might be a safe and effective way to cure HAE. Meanwhile, it provides a new option and a new way of thinking about treatment for patients with HAE.

Safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic intratumoral resection facilitated by coagulation of giant hepatic hemangioma: a matched case-control study and literature review

BACKGROUND

To report the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic intratumoral resection facilitated by coagulation (LIRC) compared with laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) in treating giant hepatic hemangioma.

METHODS

From 2017 to 2020, 19 consecutive patients with giant hepatic hemangioma (≥ 10 cm) received LIRC in one center. We selected a subgroup of 103 patients treated by LH in other four centers who well matched the 19 consecutive patients treated with LIRC, in a 1:1 fashion based on the tumor location, tumor size, and body mass index. Furthermore, the differences in technical success, operative time, operative blood loss, change of laboratory indexes, hospital stays, complication and clinical responds are compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in all 38 patients. Patients in the LIRC group had a relative shorter operative time (P < 0.001) and less operative blood loss (P = 0.003). The serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), total bilirubin (TBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) were elevated significantly (P < 0.05) 1 day after the resection and returned to normal within 7 days in both groups; however, relatively lower serum levels of those indexes were observed in the LIRC group (P < 0.05). The total complication rate was relatively lower in the LIRC group compared with the LH group (P = 0.029). Patients in the LIRC group had shorter hospital stays than those in the LH group (P = 0.010). The clinical response was similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

LIRC is safe and effective for treating giant hepatic hemangioma.

Minimally invasive treatment of hepatic hemangioma by transcatheter arterial embolization combined with microwave ablation: A case report

BACKGROUND

Hepatic hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the liver. However, patients with large hemangiomas that cause compression symptoms or that are at risk of rupture may need further intervention. It is necessary to explore additional minimally invasive and personalized treatment options for hemangiomas.

CASE SUMMARY

A 47-year-old woman was diagnosed with a right hepatic hemangioma for more than 10 years. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound revealed that there was a large hemangioma in the right liver, with a size of approximately 95 mm × 97 mm × 117 mm. Due to the patient's refusal of surgical treatment, hepatic artery embolization was performed in the first stage. After 25 d of liver protection treatment, the liver function indexes decreased to normal levels. Then, ultrasound-guided microwave ablation of the giant hepatic hemangioma was performed. Ten days after the treatment, hepatobiliary ultrasonography showed that the hemangioma of the right liver was smaller than the previous size (the volume was reduced by approximately 30%). Then the patient was discharged from the hospital. One year after discharge, CT showed that the hepatic hemangioma had shrunk by about 80%

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter arterial embolization combined with microwave ablation is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for hepatic hemangioma.

Laparoscopy-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for symptomatic 12.8 cm hepatic hemangioma with low blood loss and short hospital stay post-operation: A case report and literature review

We described a patient with symptomatic giant hepatic hemangioma (GHH) treated with laparoscopic guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA). A 58 years' old woman was referred to our hospital who presented with upper abdominal distension and appetite loss for more than 1 year. The medical history included untreated multiple hepatic hemangiomas (HH) that had been detected 13 years ago and hypertension for more than 12 years. Initial laboratory tests revealed D-dimer mild increase and negative tumor markers. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated multiple nodules of different sizes in the liver and the largest lesion was located on the left lobe (longest diameter 12.8 cm), which replaced the whole enlarged left lobe and compressed the gastric body and inferior vena cava. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced MR imaging both showed the typical enhancement pattern of hemangioma and abnormal perfusion was seen in the surrounding liver parenchyma. With the laparoscopy guidance, we performed microwave ablation till the whole tumor was seen atrophy. The total operation duration was 2 hours, with intra-operative blood loss less than 20 ml. The post-operative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged 3 days after the operation. Abdominal distension decreased, appetite improved, blood pressure controlled at normal level after the operation. MR revealed significant volume reduction of the tumor after the operation.

Microwave ablation versus transcatheter arterial embolization for large hepatic hemangiomas: clinical outcomes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and effect of microwave ablation (MWA) compared with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for the treatment of large hepatic hemangiomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 135 patients with symptomatic or/and enlarging hepatic hemangiomas (5-10 cm) from two centers underwent either MWA (n = 82) or TAE (n = 53) as first-line treatment. We compared the two groups in terms of radiologic response, clinical response, operative time, postoperative analgesic requirements, hospital stay and complications.

RESULTS

MWA had a significantly higher rate of complete radiologic response (89.0% vs. 37.7%, p<.001) and complete clinical response (88.6% vs. 69.2%, p=.046), fewer minor complications (43.9% vs. 66.0%, p=.019), shorter time of using analgesics (p<.001) and shorter hospital stays (p=.003) than did TAE. The operative time and major complications were comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Both MWA and TAE are safe and effective in treating patients with large hepatic hemangiomas. MWA had a higher rate of complete response than did TAE, and it was associated with fewer minor complications, faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.

Current concepts in ablative procedures for primary benign liver lesions: a step forward to minimize the invasiveness of treatment when deemed necessary

With increased use of medical imaging, the incidental detection of benign solid liver tumors has become more frequent. Facing with benign disease, the indications for surgery are still object of discussion in light of the stable natural course of most lesions and obvious drawbacks of any surgical intervention; therefore, in most situations, a conservative approach is recommended, and surgery is mainly reserved for those cases with persistent or worsening symptoms, or who are at risk for complications as malignant transformation. The advent of ablative techniques has widened the range of treatment options available to these patients, presenting as a valid alternative to resection in terms of safety and efficacy in selected cases, particularly in patients who are considered poor surgical candidates and with smaller lesions. This review outlines the role of percutaneous ablative methods for benign solid liver tumors that are encountered in adults, providing a per histology analysis of the existing evidence. The up-to-date strategies for management of the most common benign solid tumors are recapitulated.

The value of 3D visualization operative planning system in ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for large hepatic hemangiomas: a clinical comparative study

Background

To evaluate the value of a three dimension (3D)visualization operative planning system in ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (US-PMWA) for large hepatic hemangiomas (LHHs).

Methods

Fifty-eight patients with LHHs were divided into 3D and 2D groups. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed by contrast-enhanced imaging during follow-up. Hepatic and renal function were examined. The complete ablation, tumor volume shrinkage, and complication rates were analyzed.

Results

The ablation time and energy of the 3D group were lower than those of the 2D group (1152.0 ± 403.9 s vs. 1379.7 ± 375.8 s and 87,407.2.9 ± 50,387.0 J vs. 117,775.8 ± 46,245.6 J, P = 0.031 and 0.021, respectively). The 3D group had a higher complete ablation rate than the 2D group (97.7 ± 2.4% vs. 94.5 ± 3.7%, P < 0.001). The incidence of hemoglobinuria after ablation in the 3D group was lower than that in the 2D group (32.0% vs. 57.6%, P = 0.047). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatinine (Cre) after ablation in the 3D group were lower than those in the 2D group (126.7 ± 56.4 U/L vs. 210.9 ± 96.2 U/L, P < 0.001; 141.0 ± 60.8 U/L vs. 211.4 ± 90.0 U/L, P = 0.001; 57.3 ± 17.6 U/L vs. 80.8 ± 41.9 U/L, P = 0.010; and 66.6 ± 16.6 mmol/L vs. 84.5 ± 39.6 mmol/L, P = 0.037, respectively). There were no significant differences in antenna insertion and the volume reduction rate between the groups. One patient developed acute kidney injury shortly after ablation in the 2D group and recovered after hemodialysis. No other severe complications occurred during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

The 3D visualization operative planning system has a relatively high clinical application value in providing scientific, reasonable, quantifiable, and individualized therapy for LHHs by US-PMWA.

Comparative study on operative trauma between microwave ablation and surgical treatment for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

AIM

To compare the effect and postoperative trauma of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation and surgical resection in the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).

METHODS

Eighty-seven patients with PTMC treated at Fudan University affiliated Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital were enrolled as subjects. The patients were divided into a microwave ablation group (41 cases) and a surgical group (46 cases). The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), thyroid-related hormonal changes, and complications 7 d and 30 d after surgery were observed.

RESULTS

The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospital stay in the surgical group were significantly higher than those in the microwave ablation group (P < 0.05). The levels of CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α in the surgical group were significantly higher than those in the microwave ablation group (P < 0.05). The free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxin (FT4) levels in the surgical group were significantly lower than those in the microwave ablation group (P < 0.05). However, the postoperative thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was significantly higher than that in the microwave ablation group (P < 0.05). There were significant interactions between the FT3, FT4, and TSH 7 d and 30 d after operation and the treatment methods (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Microwave ablation for papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid gland has less trauma to the body, quicker recovery, and no scars. It can effectively shorten the length of hospital stay and improve the quality of life of patients.