Multipolar radiofrequency ablation via three bipolar electrodes with C-arm type X-ray fluoroscopy assistance for hepatocellular carcinoma: An observational study

The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the insertion technique of 3 bipolar electrodes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), using C-arm type X-ray fluoroscopy-assisted ultrasonography (US) in guiding a multipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) system. Seventy-three patients with HCC treated with a multipolar RFA system (1 electrode, n = 2; 2 electrodes, n = 56; 3 electrodes, n = 17) were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. To analyze their therapeutic outcome in this study, we divided among 17 patients using 3 electrodes into 2 subgroups: the C-arm type X-ray fluoroscopy-assisted (n = 7) and the US-guided alone groups (n = 10). Therapeutic efficacy and safety were analyzed between the 2 groups. Multipolar RFA treatment was performed safely in all cases, and no severe adverse events occurred. Comparing the patient background of the group treated using 1 or 2 electrodes with that treated using 3 electrodes, larger-sized HCC was treated using 3 electrodes (P < .001). The differences in overall and recurrence-free survival rates between the 1- or 2-electrode and the 3-electrode groups were not significantly different (P = .843 and P = .891). Comparing the C-arm type X-ray fluoroscopy-assisted and the US-guided alone groups among patients treated using 3 electrodes, technical factors such as total ablation time and the number of sessions were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The local tumor progression rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = .942). Multipolar RFA treatment was effective for the treating HCC; using 3 electrodes was suitable for larger-sized HCCs. The technical approach with C-arm type X-ray fluoroscopy assistance using 3 electrodes was useful for operators to perform safe and appropriate insertion techniques by synchronizing the US and X-ray fluoroscopy images.     

Percutaneous microwave and radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective comparative study

Background Percutaneous microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation are two commonly used modalities for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma; however, comparisons of them have not been documented adequately. Methods Of 102 patients with biopsy-proved hepatocellular carcinoma, 49 (98 nodules) were treated percutaneously with microwave ablation and 53 (72 nodules) with radiofrequency ablation. The local tumor control, complications related to treatment, and long-term results of the two modalities were compared retrospectively. Results The complete ablation rates were 94.9% (93/98) using microwave ablation vs 93.1% (67/72) using radiofrequency ablation (P = 0.75), and no significant differences were found either in the ablation of tumors of 3.0 cm or less (P = 1.00) or in those of more than 3.0 cm (P = 1.00) between the two modalities. The local recurrence rates were 11.8% (11/93) using microwave ablation vs 20.9% (14/67) using radiofrequency ablation (P = 0.12), and there were no significant differences between the two modalities either in tumors of 3.0 cm or less (P = 0.36) or in those of more than 3.0 cm (P = 0.82). The rates of major complications associated with microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation were 8.2% (4/49) vs 5.7% (3/53; P = 0.71). The disease-free survival rates in the microwave ablation group were 45.9%, 26.9%, 26.9%, and 13.4% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively, and those in the radiofrequency ablation group were 37.2%, 20.7%, and 15.5% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively (P = 0.53). The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year cumulative survival rates for patients who underwent microwave ablation were 81.6%, 61.2%, 50.5%, and 36.8%, respectively, and for patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation the rates were 71.7%, 47.2%, 37.6%, and 24.2%, respectively (P = 0.12). Conclusions Percutaneous microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation are both effective methods in treating hepatocellular carcinomas. The local tumor control, complications related to treatment, and long-term survivals were equivalent for the two modalities.     

高龄原发性肝癌射频治疗疗效分析

目的观察高龄原发性肝细胞癌(HCC)患者射频消融治疗(RFA)疗效及RFA对肝功能及生命质量的影响.方法超声引导RFA治疗的225例HCC患者为本文研究对象;非老年组(年龄≤60岁)109例;老年组(年龄＞60岁)116例中,年龄≥70岁者50例,52.6%(61人)合并其他疾病.治疗前两组病灶大小,肝功能分级均无显著差异.比较两组RFA疗效、生存期、生存率、生命质量变化及对肝功能的影响.结果两组消融成功率,局部肿瘤进展率均无明显差异.平均生存期非老年组为(43.31±3.16)个月,老年组为(41.07±2.50)个月,两组无统计学差异.老年组RFA治疗前后生命质量得分无显著差异;治疗后,老年组社会功能领域得分高于非老年组,两组生命质量总得分及其他领域得分均无显著差异.两组患者治疗前与治疗后1个月的谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、总胆红素水平均无明显差异.结论RFA对不适合手术治疗的高龄HCC患者,可获得良好疗效,并保持患者较高的生命质量;对高龄患者可作为首选治疗方法之一.     

Isolated caudate lobectomy by anterior approach for hepatocellular carcinoma originating in the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe

We aimed to assess isolated caudate lobectomy by the anterior approach for the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinomas originating in the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe. The surgical procedures consisted of ligation and dissection of the caudate branch of the portal vein and short hepatic veins from the right side of the hepatic hilum; liver resection cranially from the right side of the process portion; ligation and dissection of the short hepatic veins from the left side; hepatic resection between the lateral segment and Spiegel lobe; and, finally, dissection of the liver at the right of the Cantlie line, reaching the tumor in the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe. The important point in this procedure was the appropriate management of the short hepatic veins, the branches of the hepatic vein, and the glisson's vessels of the paracaval portion. The operative times for the three patients reported here were 430, 355, and 575 min, with blood loss of 1100, 1180, and 2000 ml, respectively. The duration of the operation was short and blood loss was minimal; severe complications were not observed. Complete recovery of liver function after this surgery tended to be slow. Early recurrence was observed during long-term follow-up. This procedure is considered to be a safe method, with optimal surgical vision for caudate lobe tumors of a relatively large size. However, adjuvant therapy to prevent recurrence is required.     

射频消融联合索拉非尼治疗进展期肝细胞癌的临床观察

原发性肝癌在全球发病率已超过62.6万/年,居于恶性肿瘤发病率的第5位;病死率也接近60万/年,位居肿瘤相关死亡的第3位[1]。我国发病人数约占全球的55%,其中85%～90%为肝细胞癌,     

Laparoscopic repair of iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia following radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is commonly used for treating unresectable hepatic malignancies. Some commonly associated complications of RFA include fever, symptomatic pleural effusion, abscess, hepatoma and hepatic insufficiency. Here, we report a case of diaphragmatic hernia in a patient following RFA for hepatic malignancy with cirrhosis.     

Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation with or without tumorectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in locations difficult for a percutaneous approach

BACKGROUND:Although hepatic resection is widely accepted as a proper modality for treating hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),a majority of patients are unable to undergo surgical resection due to various tumor and patient factors.Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)has mostly been used as a therapeutic alternative to resection for treating HCC.The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of intraoperative RFA for HCCs in locations difficult for a percutaneous approach.METHODS:Eight patients(male,seven;age,49...     

Utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with Sonazoid in radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and Aims: Kupffer imaging in contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Sonazoid, which lasts for 60 min or longer, may be useful in ultrasound‐guided percutaneous tumor ablation. The utility of Sonazoid in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated in this study. Methods: We analyzed a total of 716 HCC nodules that were detected on dynamic computed tomography in 316 patients. Detectability of these nodules was compared between CEUS and conventional ultrasonography. The effectiveness in the treatment was assessed by comparing the mean numbers of treatment sessions of RFA in patients treated with CEUS and that in historical controls matched for tumor and background conditions. Results: Detectability of tumor nodule was 83.5% in conventional ultrasonography and 93.2% in CEUS (P = 0.04). Sixty‐nine nodules in 52 patients were additionally detected with CEUS. The number of additionally detected tumor nodules was positively correlated with serum albumin level (P = 0.016). The number of RFA sessions was 1.33 ± 0.45 with CEUS as compared to 1.49 ± 0.76 in the historical controls (P = 0.0019). Conclusions: CEUS with Sonazoid is useful for HCC detection in patients with a well‐conserved liver function reservoir. The decrease in RFA session numbers indicated the utility of Sonazoid in RFA treatment of HCC.     

Thymosin alpha-1 therapy improves postoperative survival after curative resection for solitary hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score matching analysis

Thymosin alpha-1 (Tα1) is an immunomodulatory and antiviral agent with potential effects on chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer. Its impact on solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial, so we aimed to investigate the efficacy of Tα1 in solitary HBV-related HCC patients after curative resection.Between May 2010 and April 2016, 468 patients with solitary HBV-related HCC after curative resection were analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize confounding variables. Risk factors were identified by the Cox proportional hazards model. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates, overall survival (OS) rates, immunological, and virologic response were compared.The median follow up was 60.0 months. Immunological response improved in the Tα1 group compared with the control group (P < .001) but the virologic response was similar between 2 groups after 24 months. Patients with Tα1 therapy had better RFS and OS before (P = .018 and P < .001) and after (P = .006 and P < .001) propensity matching. Multivariate analysis revealed that Tα1 therapy was an independent prognostic factor for both OS (P < .001, HR = 0.308, 95% CI: 0.175–0.541) and RFS (P < .001, HR = 0.381, 95% CI: 0.229–0.633).Tα1 as an adjuvant therapy improves the prognosis of solitary HBV-related HCC patients after curative liver resection.     

Usefulness of the hyperechoic rim for assessing the therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Aim:  During radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a hyperechoic rim develops around the HCC nodules. The usefulness of the hyperechoic rim to guide treatment was assessed.
Methods:  RFA was first performed in pig livers to determine the significance of the hyperechoic rim. Fifty-five patients with 75 HCC nodules had received RFA for the treatment of HCC. For those patients, we evaluated whether conventional ultrasonography (US) could be used instead of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using virtual imaging. Finally, 31 patients with 45 HCC nodules received RFA, and the degree of ablation was assessed based on the hyperechoic rim. Repeated RFA was done when ablation appeared incomplete.
Results:  In the pig livers, the hyperechoic rim was found to be related to the presence of dead cells. The preliminary study showed that US could be used instead of CECT and CEUS to evaluate the degree of ablation caused by RFA. Because hepatic vessels in the back side of the hyperechoic rim were not clear by the artifact, we used the distance from the surface of the liver to the hyperechoic rim for evaluation. By analyzing the extent of the hyperechoic rim, it was noted that incomplete ablation was achieved in 17 of 31 patients (21 of 45 HCC nodules). These patients were re-treated with RFA within 5–15 min of the first RFA.
Conclusion:  This study shows that the hyperechoic rim is related to the presence of dead and necrotic tissues. Thus, assessment of the hyperechoic rim's characteristics allows one to evaluate the efficacy of RFA.