Percutaneous tumor ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: This report reviews the current clinical status of percutaneous ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CONCLUSION: HCC is increasing in incidence. Multiple percutaneous ablation methods are now available for primary treatment or for bridging to transplantation. Percutaneous ethanol instillation and radiofrequency ablation are the most extensively evaluated percutaneous treatments for HCC. Newer technologies are being evaluated and may change future practice patterns.     

原发性肝细胞癌射频消融治疗后MR动态随访研究

目的 探讨原发性肝细胞癌射频消融(RFA)治疗后的MR随访表现特征及规律.方法 回顾性分析2008年8月至12月住院的110例原发性肝细胞癌患者RFA治疗后的MR资料,根据MR检查时间分为3组:消融后48 h内、1～6个月、6个月以上.采用卡方检验分析比较肝细胞癌RFA治疗后肿瘤MR表现的动态变化.结果 110例短期(48 h内)RFA区域在GRE-TtWI表现为高信号,快速自旋回波(TSE)-T2WI则呈低信号,增强扫描无强化.1～6个月,GRE-T1WI示RFA区域信号呈不均匀下降,72例呈高信号,4例呈等低信号;＞6个月时,60例呈高信号,17例呈等低信号,此改变在6个月后与48 h内和1～6个月比较差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.015).TSE-T2WI示RFA区域信号呈不均匀轻度增高,1～6个月,65例呈低信号,11例呈等信号;＞6个月时,47例呈等信号,30例呈低信号,而此信号改变在6个月后与48 h内和1～6个月比较差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.015).增强后早期RFA区域主要表现为环状强化伴或不伴异常灌注,而随着时间延长趋向无强化,1～6个月,37例无强化;＞6个月,63例无强化,此改变在3组间差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.015).6例肿瘤残留或局部进展,表现RFA区边缘结节,TSE-T2WI抑脂像呈中等高信号,GRE-T1WI呈低信号并伴有不同程度的强化.结论 原发性肝细胞癌RFA治疗后,动态MR随访能显示肿瘤完全坏死、肿瘤残留或局部进展及并发症的相关特征.     

肝癌射频消融治疗后并发症的影像学表现及治疗

射频热消融（radiofrequency ablation,RFA）治疗肝细胞癌在临床上使用日趋广泛,但RFA治疗后仍会出现一些并发症,主要包括局部感染（脓肿形成）和局部出血,以及胆管损伤、接地板烧伤和胸部及小肠的并发症。射频治疗的并发症不能忽视,合理控制RFA治疗的适应证及早期发现并发症,并早期处理是必要的。避免并发症的发生有三个主要策略,首要策略是不给可能发生并发症的患者做该治疗;第二种策略是早期发现RFA治疗后的并发症;最后一种策略是对并发症的合理的处治。     

Small hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: randomized comparison of radio-frequency thermal ablation versus percutaneous ethanol injection

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of radio-frequency (RF) thermal ablation with that of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 102 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and either single HCC 5 cm in diameter or smaller or as many as three HCCs each 3 cm or smaller (overall number of lesions, 142) randomly received either RF ablation (n = 52) or PEI (n = 50) as the sole first-line anticancer treatment. Mean follow-up was 22.9 months +/- 9.4 (SD) in the RF group and 22.4 months +/- 8.6 in the PEI group. Prognostic value of treatment techniques was assessed with univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: One- and 2-year survival rates were 100% and 98% in the RF group and 96% and 88% in the PEI group, respectively (univariate relative risk [RR] = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.02, 1.69; P =.138). One- and 2-year local recurrence-free survival rates were 98% and 96% in the RF group and 83% and 62% in the PEI group, respectively (univariate RR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.51; P =.002). One- and 2-year event-free survival rates were 86% and 64% for the RF group and 77% and 43% for the PEI group, respectively (univariate RR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.85; P =.012). RF treatment was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor for local recurrence-free survival rates with multivariate analysis (adjusted RR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.73; P =.015). CONCLUSION: RF ablation is superior to PEI with respect to local recurrence-free survival rates.     

Small hepatocellular carcinoma: treatment with radio-frequency ablation versus ethanol injection

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of radio-frequency (RF) ablation with that of percutaneous ethanol injection in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients with 112 small (< or = 3-cm-diameter) HCCs underwent RF ablation (42 patients with 52 tumors) or percutaneous ethanol injection (44 patients with 60 tumors). Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated with dual-phase spiral computed tomography performed at least 4 months after treatment. RESULTS: Complete necrosis was achieved in 47 of 52 tumors with RF ablation (90%) and in 48 of 60 tumors with percutaneous ethanol injection (80%). These results were obtained with an average of 1.2 sessions per tumor with RF ablation and 4.8 sessions per tumor with percutaneous ethanol injection. One major complication (hemothorax that required drainage) and four minor complications (intraperitoneal bleeding, hemobilia, pleural effusion, cholecystitis) occurred in patients treated with RF ablation; no complications occurred in patients treated with percutaneous ethanol injection. CONCLUSION: RF ablation results in a higher rate of complete necrosis and requires fewer treatment sessions than percutaneous ethanol injection. However, the complication rate is higher with RF ablation than with percutaneous ethanol injection. RF ablation is the treatment of choice for most patients with HCC.     

Percutaneous sonographically guided saline-enhanced radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to analyze the efficacy, side effects, and short-term complications of saline-enhanced percutaneous radiofrequency ablation performed under sonographic guidance in a series of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Between September 2000 and June 2002, 84 patients (55 men and 29 women) with cirrhosis who ranged in age from 48 to 74 years (mean age, 64 years) and who had 95 hepatocellular carcinomas (seven patients had two tumors and two patients had three tumors) were treated with high frequency-induced thermotherapy. The diameters of the tumors ranged from 1.5 to 8.5 cm (mean, 3.6 cm). The efficacy of radiofrequency ablation was evaluated with triphasic contrast-enhanced CT performed 4 weeks after the procedure. RESULTS: Posttreatment CT showed complete necrosis in 73 (77%) of 95 hepatocellular carcinomas in 62 patients. Complete necrosis based on tumor size was seen in 40 (95%) of 42 tumors with diameters equal to or smaller than 3 cm, 32 (71%) of 45 tumors with diameters between 3.1 and 5.0 cm, and one (12%) of eight tumors with diameters larger than 5.0 cm. Twenty-two hepatocellular carcinomas showed incomplete necrosis. None of the patients experienced major complications. Four patients were lost to follow-up. The length of the follow-up period ranged from 4 to 22 months (mean, 10 months). One patient died 8 months after the radiofrequency ablation treatment. All the remaining patients are still alive. During the follow-up period, eight (10%) of 80 patients showed a local recurrence on sonography and CT. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with high frequency-induced thermotherapy is safe and effective in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas equal to or smaller than 3 cm, fairly effective for hepatocellular carcinomas between 3 and 5 cm, and ineffective for tumors larger than 5 cm.     

Percutaneous tumor ablation: reduced tumor growth with combined radio-frequency ablation and liposomal doxorubicin in a rat breast tumor model

PURPOSE: To determine whether combined intravenous liposomal doxorubicin and radio-frequency (RF) ablation decreases tumor growth and increases endpoint survival over those with RF or liposomal doxorubicin alone in an animal tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subcutaneous R3230 mammary adenocarcinoma (1.1-1.4 cm) was implanted in female Fischer rats. Initially, 35 tumors were randomized into four experimental groups: (a) conventional monopolar RF (70 degrees C for 5 minutes) alone, (b) liposomal doxorubicin (1 mg) alone, (c) RF ablation followed by liposomal doxorubicin, and (d) no treatment. Ten additional tumors were randomized into two groups that received a 90 degrees C RF dose either with or without liposomal doxorubicin. Tumor growth rates and the defined survival endpoint, the time at which the tumor reached 3.0 cm in diameter, were recorded. The effect of treatments on endpoint survival and tumor doubling time were analyzed by means of the Kaplan-Meier method and analysis of variance statistics. RESULTS: Differences in endpoint survival and tumor doubling time in the six groups were highly significant (P <.001). Endpoint survivals were 9.1 days +/- 2.5 for the control group, 16 days +/- 3.7 for tumors treated with 70 degrees C RF alone, 16.5 days +/- 3.2 for tumors treated with liposomal doxorubicin alone, and 26.6 +/- 5.3 days with combined treatment. For 90 degrees C RF ablation, endpoint survivals were 16.6 days +/- 1.2 and 31.5 days +/- 3.0 without and with liposomal doxorubicin (P <.01). Mean endpoint survival and tumor doubling times for the three RF levels (0, 70 degrees C, and 90 degrees C) were all significantly different (P =.01). Additionally, animals that received combined liposomal doxorubicin and 90 degrees C RF ablation survived longer than did animals that received combined liposomal doxorubicin and 70 degrees C RF ablation (P <.01). CONCLUSION: Combined RF ablation and liposomal doxorubicin retards tumor growth and may increase animal survival compared with that with either therapy alone or no therapy.     

Percutaneous tumor ablation: increased coagulation by combining radio-frequency ablation and ethanol instillation in a rat breast tumor model

PURPOSE: To determine if percutaneously applied radio frequency (RF) combined with percutaneous ethanol instillation (PEI) can increase the extent of ablation in rat breast tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: R3230 mammary adenocarcinoma was implanted bilaterally in the mammary fat pads of 18 female rats. The tumor nodules measured 1. 2-1.5 cm. Eight tumors each were treated with (a) conventional, monopolar RF (96 mA +/- 28; 70 degrees C for 5 minutes); (b) PEI (250 microL of ethanol infused over 1 minute); (c) combined therapy of PEI immediately followed by RF ablation; or (d) combined therapy of RF ablation immediately followed by PEI. Four tumors were not treated and served as controls. Histopathologic examination included staining for mitochondrial enzyme activity. Resultant coagulation necrosis was compared between treatment groups. RESULTS: Coagulation necrosis was observed only within treated tumors. Tumors treated with RF alone had 6.7 mm +/- 0.6 of coagulation surrounding the electrode, and those treated with PEI alone had 6.4 mm +/- 0.6 of coagulation around the instillation needle (not significant). Significantly increased coagulation of 10.1 mm +/- 0.9 (P: <.001) was observed with the combined therapy of PEI followed by RF. RF followed by PEI did not increase coagulation (6.4 mm +/- 0.8 around the needle; not significant). CONCLUSION: PEI followed by RF ablation therapy increases the extent of induced coagulation necrosis in rat breast tumors, as compared with either therapy alone.     

Intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm: a complication following radio-frequency ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

A 70-year-old male was admitted to hospital for a liver tumor. We diagnosed that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 1.5 cm in diameter, by several examinations. We performed ultrasonically guided radio-frequency ablation (RFA). Ultrasonography (US) 9 days post-therapy revealed a cystic lesion 1.5 cm in diameter. Color Doppler US revealed color imaging throughout the lesion and dynamic computed tomography (CT) demonstrated an area of hyperattenuation. Intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed. On 14 days post-therapy, no color signals on color Doppler US or enhanced areas on CT were seen. We submit that pseudoaneurysm should be recognized as a complication of radio-frequency ablation.     

Small hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of radio-frequency ablation and percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of radio-frequency (RF) ablation and percutaneous microwave coagulation (PMC) for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients with 94 HCC nodules were randomly assigned to RF ablation and PMC groups. Thirty-six patients with 48 nodules were treated with RF ablation, and 36 patients with 46 nodules were treated with PMC. Therapeutic effect, residual foci of untreated disease, and complications of RF ablation and PMC were prospectively evaluated with statistical analyses. RESULTS: The number of treatment sessions per nodule was significantly lower in the RF ablation group than in the PMC group (1.1 vs 2.4; P <.001). Complete therapeutic effect was achieved in 46 (96%) of 48 nodules treated with RF ablation and in 41 (89%) of 46 nodules treated with PMC (P =.26). Major complications occurred in one patient treated with RF ablation and in four patients treated with PMC (P =.36). During follow-up (range, 6-27 months), residual foci of untreated disease were seen in four of 48 nodules treated with RF ablation and in eight of 46 nodules treated with PMC. No significant difference in rates of residual foci of untreated disease was noted (P =.20, log-rank test). CONCLUSION: RF ablation and PMC thus far have had equivalent therapeutic effects, complication rates, and rates of residual foci of untreated disease. However, RF tumor ablation can be achieved with fewer sessions.     

Percutaneous tumor ablation: increased necrosis with combined radio-frequency ablation and intravenous liposomal doxorubicin in a rat breast tumor model

PURPOSE: To determine whether a combination of intravenous liposomal doxorubicin and radio-frequency (RF) ablation increases tumor destruction compared with RF alone in an animal tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: R3230 mammary adenocarcinoma 1.4-1.8-cm- diameter nodules were implanted subcutaneously in 132 female Fischer rats. Initially, tumors were treated with (a) conventional, monopolar RF (mean, 250 mA +/- 25 [SD] at 70 degrees C +/- 1 for 5 minutes) ablation alone, (b) RF ablation followed by intravenous administration of 1 mg of liposomal doxorubicin, (c) RF ablation followed by intravenous administration of 1 mg of empty liposomes, (d) RF ablation and direct intratumoral administration of liposomal doxorubicin, or (e) no treatment. Subsequently, the dose (0.06-2.00 mg) of liposomal doxorubicin, the timing of administration (3 days before to 3 days after RF ablation), and the time of pathologic examination (0-72 hours after treatment) were varied. RESULTS: Mean coagulation diameter for treated tumors follows: 6.7 mm +/- 0.6, RF ablation alone; 11.1 mm +/- 1.5, RF ablation and intravenous administration of empty liposomes (P <.05, compared with RF ablation alone); and 8.4 mm +/- 1.1, RF ablation with intratumoral administration of liposomal doxorubicin (P <.05, compared with RF ablation alone). Maximal increased mean coagulation diameter (13.1 mm +/- 1.5) was observed with a combination of liposomal doxorubicin and RF ablation (P <.001, for all comparisons). The increased coagulation for combination therapy developed over 48 hours after therapy. Coagulation diameter did not vary with the doxorubicin concentration range and was not dependent on the timing of administration of liposomal doxorubicin from 3 days before to 24 hours after RF ablation. CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration of liposomal doxorubicin can improve RF ablation, since it increases coagulation diameter in solid tumors compared with RF ablation alone or a combination of RF ablation with administration of empty liposomes.     

Percutaneous tumor ablation: increased necrosis with combined radio-frequency ablation and intratumoral doxorubicin injection in a rat breast tumor model

PURPOSE: To investigate the predictive value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of abnormalities of the lumbar intervertebral disks, particularly with adjacent endplate changes, to predict symptomatic disk derangement, with discography as the standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients aged 28-50 years with chronic low back pain and without radicular leg pain underwent prospective clinical examination and sagittal T1- and T2-weighted and transverse T2-weighted MR imaging. Subsequently, patients underwent lumbar discography with a pain provocation test (116 disks). MR images were evaluated for disk degeneration, a high-signal-intensity zone, and endplate abnormalities. Results of pain provocation at discography were rated independently of the image findings as concordant or as nonconcordant or painless. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated to assess the clinical relevance of MR abnormalities. RESULTS: Normal disks on MR images were generally not painful at provocative discography (NPV, 98%). Disk degeneration (sensitivity, 98%; specificity, 59%; PPV, 63%) and a high-signal-intensity zone (sensitivity, 27%; specificity, 85%; PPV, 56%) were not helpful in the identification of symptomatic disk derangement. When only moderate and severe type I and type II endplate abnormalities were considered abnormal, all injected disks caused concordant pain with provocation (sensitivity, 38%; specificity, 100%; PPV, 100%). CONCLUSION: Moderate and severe endplate abnormalities appear be useful in the prediction of painful disk derangement in patients with symptomatic low back pain.     

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of small hepatocellular carcinoma: long-term results

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 88 patients with a long follow-up, and to compare conventional electrodes and expandable electrodes. Eighty-eight patients with 101 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (≤ 3.5 cm in diameter) underwent RF thermal ablation by means of either conventional electrodes or an expandable electrode. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated with dynamic contrast CT, serum α-feto protein level, US examination at the end of the treatment, and during follow-up. Complete necrosis was obtained in all tumor nodules in a mean number of 3.3 sessions (tumor treated by conventional electrodes) or 1.5 sessions (tumor treated by expandable electrode). The mean follow-up was 34 months; overall survival rate was 33 % at 5 years. Disease-free survival at 5 years was 3 %; local recurrence rate was 29 % in patients treated with conventional electrodes; 14 % in patients treated with the expandable electrode. Two major complications and 14 minor complications were observed. Radiofrequency thermal ablation in small HCC is very effective with a low percentage of major complications. The use of an expandable electrode substantially reduced the number of treatment sessions but did not modify the overall survival rate and the disease-free survival rate. Received: 7 January 2000 Revised: 19 July 2000 Accepted: 11 August 2000     

肝癌微波消融术后患者复发的危险因素分析

目的探讨胆囊切除对行肝癌微波消融（microwave ablation，MWA）患者预后的影响。 方法72例接受MWA治疗肝癌的患者，分为胆囊切除组（36例）和非胆囊切除组（36例），分析总生存率（overall survival，OS）和无进展生存率（progression free survival，PFS），比较胆囊切除组和非胆囊切除组的预后结果。采用单因素和多因素Cox分析评估总生存率和无进展生存率的潜在危险因素以及比较两组之间的预后。 结果本研究胆囊切除组纳入36例（50.00%），非胆囊切除组纳入36例（50.00%）。胆囊切除组中位OS为35.55个月（4.20～36.00个月），非胆囊切除组31.19个月（10.80～36.00个月） （P=0.894）。随访结束前，胆囊切除组和非胆囊切除组的死亡率分别为22.22%和22.22%。胆囊切除组1、2、3年累积总生存率分别为91.67%、79.91%、75.71%，非胆囊切除组分别为97.22%、88.72%和73.81%（P=0.97）。胆囊切除组中位PFS为7.67个月（1.68～32.30个月），非胆囊切除组为18.25个月（2.24～33.60个月） （P<0.01）。随访结束时，胆囊切除组和非胆囊切除组肝癌复发率分别为69.44%和91.67%，胆囊切除组1、2、3年累积无进展生存率分别为36.11%、16.67%、0.00%，非胆囊切除组分别为77.78%、46.89%和0.00%。非胆囊切除组的累积无进展生存率明显高于胆囊切除组（P<0.01）。多因素分析显示肿瘤数量为3（HR=18.91，95%CI：1.54～232.99，P=0.02）是与OS相关的独立危险因素。多因素分析显示胆囊切除术（HR=3.55，95%CI：1.74～7.26，P<0.01），肿瘤数量为2和3（HR=2.21，95%CI：1.10～4.42，P=0.02；HR=3.63，95%CI：1.26～10.45，P=0.02）和AFP≥400 ng/mL（HR=0.43，95%CI：0.19～0.98，P<0.05）是与PFS相关的独立危险因素。 结论肝细胞癌患者在MWA后行胆囊切除术后更易发生肝内复发，这可能与γ-GT水平升高有关，且复发率随时间增加而增加。     

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma using microwave and radiofrequency ablation

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of thermal ablation for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using microwave and radiofrequency (RF) energy application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 190 nodules in 97 patients (84 male, 13 female; mean age 53.4 years, range 24-74 years) with HCC were treated with microwave or RF ablation in the last 4 years. The applicators were introduced into the tumours under conscious analgesic sedation by intravenous administration of fentanyl citrate and droperidol and local anaesthesia in both thermal ablation procedures. The patients were then followed up with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) to evaluate treatment response. Survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Complete ablation was obtained in 92.6% (176/190) nodules. The complete ablation rates were 94.6% (106/112) in microwave ablation and 89.7% (70/78) in RF ablation. The complete ablation rates in tumours/=4.0 cm were 93.1, 93.8 and 86.4%, respectively. Local recurrence was found in 9.5% nodules and the rates in tumours/=4.0 cm in diameter were 3.4, 9.9 and 31.8%, respectively. In the follow-up period, 7.1% nodules ablated by microwave and 12.8% by RF presented local recurrence. The 1, 2 and 3-year distant recurrence-free survivals were 47.2, 34.9 and 31.0%, respectively. Estimated mean survival was 32 months, and 1, 2 and 3-year cumulative survivals were 75.6, 58.5, and 50.0%, respectively. One and 2 years survivals of Child-Pugh class A, B and C patients were 83.8 and 70.4%, 78.2 and 53.2%, 36.3 and 27.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thermal ablation therapy by means of microwave and RF energy application is an effective and safe therapeutic technique for hepatocellular carcinoma. Large tumours can be completely ablated, but have a significantly higher risk of local recurrence at follow-up.