Percutaneous vertebroplasty in 1,253 levels: results and long-term effectiveness in a single centre

Several authors claim that vertebroplasty (PVT) is a successful technique, but long-term effectiveness is still debated. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of PVT in patients with symptomatic vertebral fractures that had not responded to conservative treatment. In our centre, 624 patients with 1,253 compression fractures were treated by PVT. Imaging studies, clinical visits and short- and long-term follow-up were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) testing of pain. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate pain response after PVT (paired two-tailed t-test) and to assess any differences in pain due to different lesions (ANOVA test). We found a statistically significant improvement in the patients’ quality of life, particularly in pain (P < 0.001). The average VAS value pre-PVT was 8.0 ± 2.5, which significantly dropped to 1.5 ± 0.4 by 12 months. There were no significant differences in pain response between the groups of patients with different underlying disease. There was a low complication rate in our study. PVT should be considered the treatment of choice in vertebral fractures with refractory pain. With strict evaluation of the clinical indications and subspecialised operators, long-term effectiveness is probable.     

Hip fracture after radiofrequency ablation therapy for bone tumors: two case reports

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become a valuable therapeutic modality in cancer treatment over the last decade. In orthopedic surgery, RFA is used for the treatment of benign bone tumors and bone metastases. Complications are rare and, to our knowledge, bone fracture as a complication due solely to RFA has not been reported to date. In this report we describe two patients with a fracture in the calcar region of the femur as a complication of RFA treatment for bone malignancies. Since RFA is applied increasingly often, it is important to report this risk of fracture as a complication of treatment of lesions in the femoral calcar.     

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with a saline solution perfusion device: a pilot study

PURPOSE: The majority of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cannot be treated with surgery. This study evaluated the treatment of patients with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with use of needle applicators perfused with isotonic saline solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with a maximum of three HCCs as large as 60 mm and a contraindication to partial liver resection or orthotopic liver transplantation were enrolled in the study. They were treated with ultrasound-guided RFA with use of perfused needle applicators and followed with sonography and computed tomography. RESULTS: Twenty patients (14 men, six women) with a total of 29 HCCs were treated with RFA. In total, 56 RFA treatments were performed. Mean HCC size was 31 mm (range, 10-60 mm). Two cases of self-limiting bleeding requiring transfusion of blood products took place. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 85% of patients (17 of 20). Partial response occurred in three tumors 45 mm in diameter or larger. There was a total of six local recurrences in five patients (25% of patients, 21% of tumors). Six patients (30%) exhibited distant recurrence, two of whom also showed local recurrence. In three patients, repeat treatment led to renewed CR. After a median follow-up of 445 days (range, 114-1,071 days), 12 patients (71% of the 17 patients with initial CR) still showed CR. Twelve patients (60% of all patients, 71% of those with initial CR) survived. Three of the eight patients who died were free of viable tumor at the time of death. CONCLUSIONS: RFA with use of perfused needle applicators shows promise as an effective method for treating inoperable HCC. The most frequent complication was bleeding.     

Percutaneous transhepatic thrombolysis in the treatment of acute portal venous thrombosis

Acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare clinical condition that can cause portal hypertension and bowel infarction. Early diagnosis and treatment of PVT is crucial for the restoration of portal venous flow and reduction of morbidity and mortality. We report a successful treatment of acute PVT which was seen following splenectomy, utilizing catheter directed transhepatic thrombolysis. No complication was encountered related to the procedure. Thrombolytic therapy via transhepatic route proved to be a safe and effective method in the treatment of PVT.     

CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma: Clinical success and long-term follow up in 77 patients

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate long-term success of CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with osteoid osteoma (OO) and osteoblastoma (OB) including tumors in critical locations. Eighty-one CT-guided RFA procedures were performed in 77 patients with OO (65 patients) and OB (12) including 6 spinal and 15 intra/periarticular tumors. Procedural techniques included multiple needle positions, three-dimensional access planning, as well as, thermal protection techniques. Long-term success was assessed using a questionnaire including, among others, several VAS (visual analogue scale) scores. All patients completed 3–6 months follow-up, overall response to the questionnaire was 64/77 (83.1%). Primary success rate was 74/77 (96.1%) of all patients. Retreatment with RFA in 3 patients resulted in a secondary success rate of 77/77 (100%). Long-term follow-up (mean, 38.5 months; range, 3–92) revealed a highly significant (p < 0.001) reduction of all assessed limitation scores reaching normal or almost normal values. One major complication, a cannula break leading to a secondary short hospital stay, occurred. In conclusion, RFA is a safe and effective long-lasting treatment of OO and OB. Advanced procedural techniques aid treating tumors in critical locations and in the coverage of larger tumors. Besides night pain, RFA also greatly improves other factors negatively affecting the quality of life.     

Percutaneous Transhepatic Portography for the Treatment of Early Portal Vein Thrombosis After Surgery

We treated three cases of early portal vein thrombosis (PVT) by minimally invasive percutaneous transhepatic portography. All patients developed PVT within 30 days of major hepatic surgery (one case each of orthotopic liver transplantation, splenectomy in a previous liver transplant recipient, and right extended hepatectomy with resection and reconstruction of the left branch of the portal vein for tumor infiltration). In all cases minimally invasive percutaneous transhepatic portography was adopted to treat this complication by mechanical fragmentation and pharmacological lysis of the thrombus. A vascular stent was also positioned in the two cases in which the thrombosis was related to a surgical technical problem. Mechanical fragmentation of the thrombus with contemporaneous local urokinase administration resulted in complete removal of the clot and allowed restoration of normal blood flow to the liver after a median follow-up of 37 months. PVT is an uncommon but severe complication after major surgery or liver transplantation. Surgical thrombectomy, with or without reconstruction of the portal vein, and retransplantation are characterized by important surgical morbidity and mortality. Based on our experience, minimally invasive percutaneous transhepatic portography should be considered an option toward successful recanalization of early PVT after major liver surgery including transplantation. Balloon dilatation and placement of a vascular stent could help to decrease the risk of recurrent thrombosis when a defective surgical technique is the reason for the thrombosis.     

Radiofrequency Ablation in Combination with Embolization in Metachronous Recurrent Renal Cancer in Solitary Kidney after Contralateral Tumor Nephrectomy

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive, percutaneous techniques in metachronous recurrent renal cell cancers (RCCs) in solitary kidneys. Methods In 4 patients, recurrent RCC was treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (RITA, StarBurst) alone, and in 2 patients by RFA in combination with superselective transarterial particle-lipiodol embolization using 3 Fr microcatheters. RFA was guided by computed tomography in 5 patients, and by magnetic resonance imaging in 1 patient. Mean tumor diameter was 26.7 mm (range 10–45 mm). All interventions were technically successful; during follow-up 1 patient developed recurrent RCC, which was retreated by RFA after embolization. Results No major peri- or postprocedural complications occurred. Changes in creatinine (pre- vs. post-intervention, 122 vs. 127 μmol/l) and calculated creatinine clearance (pre- vs. post-intervention, 78 vs. 73 ml/min) after ablation were minimal. Conclusion In single kidneys, percutaneous, minimally invasive techniques are safe and feasible. In large tumors, or where there are adjacent critical structures, we prefer a combination of embolization and thermal ablation (RFA).     

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: Current status

Ablation therapy is one of the best curative treatment options for malignant liver tumors, and can be an alternative to resection. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of primary and secondary liver cancers can be performed safely using percutaneous, laparoscopic, or open surgical techniques, and RFA has markedly changed the treatment strategy for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Percutaneous RFA can achieve the same overall and disease-free survival as surgical resection for patients with small HCC. The use of a laparoscopic or open approach allows repeated placements of RFA electrodes at multiple sites to ablate larger tumors. RFA combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization will make the treatment of larger tumors a clinically viable treatment alternative. However, an accurate evaluation of treatment response is very important to secure successful RFA therapy. Since a sufficient safety margin (at least 0.5 cm) can prevent local tumor recurrences, an accurate evaluation of treatment response is very important to secure successful RFA therapy. To minimize complications of RFA, clinicians should be familiar with the imaging features of each type of complication. Appropriate management of complications is essential for successful RFA treatment.     

Radiofrequency thermal ablation of liver tumors

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumors was first proposed in 1990. New technologies enable us to produce liver thermal lesions of approximately 3–3.5 cm in diameter; RFA has consequently become an emerging percutaneous therapeutic option both for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and for non-resectable liver metastases, mainly from colorectal cancer. New devices (for example, triplet of cooled needles, wet needles) and combined therapies (tumor ischemia and RFA) have made it possible to treat large tumors. RFA can be carried out by a percutaneous, laparoscopic or laparotomic approach. Percutaneous RFA can be performed with local anaesthesia and mild sedation; deep sedation or general anaesthesia are also used. The guidance system is generally represented by ultrasound. CT or MR examinations are the more sensitive tests for assessing therapeutic results. The series of patients treated with RFA allow the technique to be considered as effective and safe, achieving a relatively high rate of cure in properly selected cases; it should be classified as curative/effective treatment for HCC, replacing percutaneous ethanol injection. The complication rate of RFA is low but not negligible; key elements in a strategy to minimize them are identified.     

Radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma: initial experience

Purpose The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical value of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and Methods In a recent 3 years seven RCCs in six patients were treated by percutaneous RFA. RCC had been diagnosed based on the typical findings by computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. A cool-tip RF system (Vallylab) was mainly used with a RF2000 generator. The maximum tumor size ranged from 8 to 40 mm in diameter. The follow-up period was 14–36 months after initial RFA treatment. Results Complete disappearance of contrast enhancement during the early arterial phase was noted immediately after each session of percutaneous RFA. Two RCCs ≥ 3 cm in diameter showed tumor recurrence and required re-RFA during the follow-up period. In one patient, retroperitoneal hematoma was observed as a noteworthy complication. Conclusion Despite our limited number of patients, we believe that percutaneous RFA is clinically feasible and can be an alternative treatment of choice for RCC.     

Chronic Portal Vein Thrombosis After Liver Transplantation in a Child Treated by a Combined Minimally Invasive Approach

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after orthotopic liver transplantation is an infrequent complication, and when it is present surgical treatment is considered for traditional management. Percutaneous transhepatic portal vein angioplasty has been described as an option to treat PVT with a lower morbidity than conventional surgical treatments. This article describes a case of chronic PVT in a child after a living donor liver transplantation managed by percutaneous transhepatic and surgical approaches.     

腹腔镜射频消融治疗肝脏海绵状血管瘤39例临床观察

目的：探讨腹腔镜射频消融治疗肝脏海绵状血管瘤的可行性及实用性。方法：39例共64个瘤体全麻气管插管后，腹腔镜下行射频消融治疗，其中10例同时行胆囊切除术。结果：全部病例治疗效果满意，术后无残留病灶，无明显并发症。结论：腹腔镜射频消融治疗肝脏海绵状血管瘤安全可行，治疗彻底，是一项微创治疗新技术。     

RFA von Tumoren des Knochens und der Weichteile

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of primary and secondary liver malignancies is a promising and rapidly evolving technique, which increasingly gains importance. A new field of RFA is the minimal invasive therapy of osseous and soft tissue tumors. In the management of osteoid-osteoma, RFA is a well established treatment option. Basic principles, indications, complications and results of RFA will be presented. A careful evaluation of indications for RFA in osseous or soft tissue neoplasms is mandatory. In patients who are neither candidates for surgical tumor resection nor respond to chemotherapy, there is a need for alternative treatment options. In these preselected patients a substantial improvement in quality of life with low associated morbidity can be provided by RFA. In malignancies of bone and soft-tissue tumors, RFA is a palliative treatment option. Therefore, the results can not be compared to those of surgical resection or chemotherapy which essentially are employed with curative intention. Our own experiences as well as data published in the literature indicate that RFA is a helpful tool in preserving patient's quality of life.The high technical and clinical success together with a low complication rate makes RFA of osseous and soft tissue neoplasms a valuable supportive tool for patients not referable for surgery or systemic therapy.     

Radiofrequency ablation of large size liver tumours using novel plan-parallel expandable bipolar electrodes: Initial clinical experience

Purpose

Although radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a promising method for local treatment of liver malignancies, with conventional monopolar systems recurrence rates for large size tumours (≥3.5 cm) remain high. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety, feasibility and local effectiveness of a novel bipolar plan-parallel expandable system for these larger tumours.

Methods and materials

Eight consecutive patients with either unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM in 6 patients), carcinoid liver metastases (1 patient) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC in 1 patient) of ≥3.5 cm were treated with bipolar RFA during laparotomy with ultrasound guidance. Early and late, major and minor complications were recorded. Local success was determined on 3-8 month follow-up CT scans of the upper abdomen.

Results

Nine CRLM, one carcinoid liver metastases and one HCC (3.5-6.6 cm) were ablated with bipolar RFA. Average ablation time was 16 min (range 6-29 min.). Two patients developed a liver abscess which required re-laparotomy. In both cases bowel surgery during the same session probably caused bacterial spill. There were no mortalities. The patients were released from hospital between 5 and 29 days after the procedure (median 12 days). The 6-12 month follow-up PET-CT scans showed signs for marginal RFA-site tumour recurrence in three patients with CRLM (3/11 lesions).

Conclusion

Preliminary results suggest bipolar RFA to be a reasonably safe, fast and feasible technique which seems to improve local control for large size hepatic tumour ablations.     

3D iGuide穿刺技术在DynaCT引导射频消融治疗大肝癌中的应用

目的：评价3D iGuide穿刺技术在DynaCT引导射频消融（RFA）治疗大肝癌中的可行性及安全性。 方法：选取2016年9-12月在解放军总医院介入放射科住院治疗的孤立性大肝癌患者19例,行DynaCT扫描并选择3D iGuide技术引导射频针穿刺后实施RFA术,评价术后的技术成功率、术中及术后并发症、治疗效果。 结果：19例患者全部操作成功,技术成功率为100%,术中及术后并发症以疼痛为主,并未出现严重并发症;术后1个月影像学复查评估治疗效果,完全缓解（CR）17例、部分缓解（PR）2例。 结论：3D iGuide穿刺技术在DynaCT引导射频消融治疗大肝癌中安全、有效且操作简便,具有极强的可行性,为RFA治疗肝癌提供新的引导方法。     

Complications of microwave and radiofrequency lung ablation: personal experience and review of the literature

Purpose

Complications correlated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) of lung tumours were retrospectively reviewed to compare them with data from the literature and to assess risk factors related with the procedures.

Materials and methods

From January 2003 to January 2009, 29 patients (36 lung lesions) were treated with RFA; from January 2007 to January 2009, 16 patients (17 lung lesions) were treated with MWA. Complications recorded at our institution are reported following the Society of Interventional Radiology guidelines. A systematic review of the literature was performed.

Results

Any major complication of RFA or MWA was recorded. In agreement with the literature, pneumothorax was the most frequent complication, even though the incidence in our series was lower than reported in the literature (3.5% vs. 4.3?C18%). Other complications of RFA were pleural effusion and subcutaneous emphysema. No massive haemorrhages, haemoptysis, abscesses, pneumonia, infections or tumour seeding were recorded in our series. The most common complication of MWA was pneumothorax (25% vs. 39% reported in the literature). Pleural effusion was a common reaction, but therapeutic drainage was never required.

Conclusions

Pneumothorax is the most common complication of both techniques. RFA and MWA are both excellent choices in terms of safety and tolerance.     

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of a Small Renal Mass Complicated by Appendiceal Perforation

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has gained wide acceptance as nephron-sparing therapy for small renal masses in select patients. Generally, it is a safe procedure with minor morbidity and acceptable short-term oncologic outcome. However, as a result of the close proximity of vital structures, such as the bowel, ureter, and large vessels, to the ablative field, complications regarding these structures may occur. This is the first article describing appendiceal perforation as a complication of computed tomography-guided RFA despite hydrodissection. When performing this innovative and promising procedure one should be aware of the possibility of particular minor and even major complications.     

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: a Possible Complication of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an uncommon, benign lesion characterized by the mesenchymal proliferation and infiltration of inflammatory cells composed primarily of lymphocytes and plasma cells. A percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective and safe therapeutic modality used for the management of liver malignancies. Here we report, for the first time, a case of IMT as a complication of RFA for hepatocellular carcinoma in a 61-year-old man with a Child''s class A hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis. Gastrohepatic fistula formation was pathologically proven and associated with the RFA. Such a longstanding inflammation of the fistula might have been a possible cause of the development of IMT in this case.     

Perkutane Radiofrequenzablation von Leberzellkarzinomen: eine aktuelle Übersicht

In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surgical resection so far offers potential cure. Due to the frequent association with liver cirrhosis less then 30% of patients with HCC can be resected. In unresectable cases, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) offers an effective treatment alternative. Substantial improvements in the development of powerful generators (up to 250 W) combined with expandable, closed or open-perfused needle electrodes, provide coagulation necroses up to 5 cm in diameter. Most recently primary technical success rates of 85 to 100% were reported. Following RFA of HCC's (diameter up to 2,8 cm) 1-, 2-, 3 and 5-year survival was reported to be 97, 89, 71 and 48%. Low complication rates of 0-12% and a mortality of 0-1% indicate the minimal-invasive character of RFA. Basic principles, technique, indications, contraindications and limitations of percutaneous RFA will be discussed together with a presentation of own cases and a review of literature.     

Central lower attenuating lesion in the ablation zone on immediate follow-up CT after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: Incidence and clinical significance

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of central lower attenuating (CLA) lesion in the ablation zone seen on immediate follow-up CT images after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the correlation of CLA lesions and local tumor progression (LTP).

Subjects and methods

The study group included 146 patients with 167 ablation zones that had undergone follow-up CT examinations for more than 12 months after percutaneous RFA. CLA lesions corresponding to index tumors and ablative margins (safety margins) were evaluated in the ablation zones seen on immediate follow-up CT including coronal and sagittal multiplanar reformatted (MPR) images with narrow window width settings.

Results

CLA lesions were depicted on 48 of 167 ablation zones (28.7%) on immediate follow-up CT images. Among the 48 ablation zones with CLA lesions, 27 (56.3%, 27/48) had ablative margins on all three of the orthogonal MPR images and they showed no LTP (0%) on follow-up CT examinations. Three of the ablation zones with CLA lesions (6.3%, 3/48) having an ablative margin on one plane only also showed no LTP (0%). LTP was observed in 2 of 18 ablation zones (11.1%) that had CLA lesions without ablative margins on all three planes. In the remaining 119 ablation zones without CLA lesions, 5 (4.2%, 5/119) showed LTP.

Conclusion

CLA lesions in ablation zones were occasionally (28.7%) seen on immediate follow-up CT images after RFA for HCCs. The presence of CLA lesions with ablative margins might be a negative predictor of LTP.