The local efficacy and influencing factors of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation in colorectal liver metastases: a review of a 4-year experience at a single center

Purpose: To investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and evaluate the influencing factors of local efficacy.

Methods: From January 2013 to January 2017, 137 CRLM patients accepting US-guided percutaneous MWA were included. The 2450-MHz microwave ablation system and a cooled-shaft antenna were used. All patients were regularly followed up for at least 6?months. Technical success, complete ablation, local tumor progression (LTP), complications and side effects were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors for LTP.

Results: In total, 411 lesions (mean diameter 15.4?±?7.2?mm, range 5–67?mm) were treated. Complete ablation was achieved in 99.27% (408/411) of lesions and 97.81% (134/137) of patients. LTP occurred in 5.35% (22/411) of lesions and 16.06% (22/137) of patients. LTP was more likely to occur in lesions larger than 3?cm in diameter (OR: 14.71; p?<?.001; 95% CI: 3.7 3–57.92), near a large vascular structure (OR: 7.04; p?<?.001; 95% CI: 2.41–20.60), near the diaphragm (OR: 4.02; p?=?.049; 95% CI: 1.05–16.11) and in patients with no response to chemotherapy before MWA (OR: 3.25; p?=?.032; 95% CI: 1.14–15.30). MWA was well tolerated, with a major complication rate of 3.65%, a minor complication rate of 8.03% and a mortality rate of 0%. Fever and pain were the most common side effects after MWA.

Conclusions: US-guided percutaneous MWA of CRLM is a safe and effective method that is expected to become a routine treatment for local tumor control of CRLM.