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.     

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.     

Tolerance of radiofrequency ablation by patients of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is currently an effective method for ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Early reports have indicated that RFA is safe and virtually free from major complications. Unlike partial hepatectomy for HCC on patients with cirrhosis, there are no data on the safety limit of RFA. However, information is vital for selection of appropriate patients for the procedure. In this study, we analyzed results from use of RFA on HCC patients and determined the lower limit of liver function with which HCC patients can tolerate RFA.

Method

Preoperative variables of 310 patients who underwent RFA for HCC were analyzed to identify the risk factors in RFA intolerance in terms of morbidity associated with stress-induced complications.

Results

Thirty-nine (12.6%) patients developed intolerance of RFA. Postoperative morbidity was mainly because of intractable ascites (n = 13), hyperbilirubinemia (n = 10), massive pleural effusion (n = 7), and other complications (n = 14). Multivariate analysis revealed that serum albumin level (P = 0.001), serum bilirubin level (P = 0.000), tumor number (P = 0.002), and RFA duration (P = 0.017) all played a role in this issue.

Conclusions

Simple data such as serum bilirubin, serum albumin level, and tumor number can be used to predict HCC patients’ tolerance of RFA. Avoidance of excessive RFA time and careful monitoring of patients at risk are important means of reducing the postoperative morbidity rate.     

Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma successfully treated with radiofrequency thermal ablation

We report a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who was successfully treated with radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA). A 71-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in August 1996 with recurrence of HCC. Partial hepatic resection had been performed in January 1993 for HCC that had measured 1.3 cm in segment VIII, and subsequently he had received six sessions of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for treatment of recurrence. Dynamic computed tomography (CT) performed in August 1996 showed two recurrent tumors, one measuring 3.8 cm in segment VIII adjacent to the right hepatic vein, and one measuring 2.0 cm in segment V. Three sessions of percutaneous RFA were performed. After this treatment, most of the tumor in segment VIII and all the tumor in segment V showed low density on dynamic CT, and the right hepatic vein was preserved. However, a remnant of the mass appeared near the right hepatic vein 2 months after the treatment. An additional two sessions of RFA were performed. After the end of treatment, serum alpha-fetoprotein level dropped to the normal range, and no sign of recurrence has been observed until September 1998.     

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,     

Survival comparison between radiofrequency ablation and surgical resection for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate and compare the long-term therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus that of surgical resection in small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Relevant articles in English from PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were retrieved. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated to assess the prognostic value of RFA compared with that of surgical resection.Results:A total of 19 studies involving 15,071 patients were included. The combined HRs (95% confidence interval [CI]) of RFA for recurrence/relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were 1.55 (95% CI = 1.29-1.86, I² = 72.5%) and 1.61 (95% CI = 1.29-2.01, I² = 60.4%), respectively, compared with surgical resection. In subgroup analyses according to study design, both RFS and OS of the prospective subgroups showed statistical significance, and no statistical heterogeneity existed between studies.Conclusion:Our clinical data suggest that surgical resection offers better long-term oncologic outcomes than RFA.     

Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for elderly hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Four hundred and sixty‐one patients with naïve HCC, including 107 elderly (aged ≥75 years) patients, who were treated with RFA between 2000 and 2007, were enrolled. Baseline characteristics, survival/recurrence rates and complications after RFA were compared between elderly and non‐elderly patients. Results: In the elderly group, the proportion of men, alcohol consumption, serum alanine aminotransferase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase levels were significantly lower compared with those in the non‐elderly group. There were no differences in Child–Pugh grade and tumor characteristics between the two groups. The cumulative survival rates in the elderly group were 82% at 3 years and 61% at 5 years, which was equivalent to the non‐elderly group. Similarly, no differences were observed in recurrence rates. In multivariate analysis, Child–Pugh grade and tumor‐related factors were significant factors associated with survival, but age was not. Although elderly patients had more extrahepatic comorbidities, their presence was not a factor associated with survival prognosis or complication after RFA. Conclusion: RFA treatment might be safe and effective in elderly patients, as well as non‐elderly patients, with HCC.     

肝细胞癌射频消融术前肝脏功能评估的意义

肝脏功能是影响肝细胞癌（HCC）射频消融（RFA）治疗效果及预后的重要因素,应在治疗前进行全面评估。总结了Child-Turcotte-Pugh（CTP）评分、终末期肝病模型（MELD）、凝血酶原时间（PT）及其活动度（PTA）、血小板（PLT）、血清白蛋白（Alb）、胆红素（Bil）及HBV DNA水平等评估手段对预测消融后并发症及生存情况的价值,明确了术前肝脏功能评价的意义。     

Efficacy and safety of microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. Surgical resection is often only possible in the early stages of HCC and among those with limited cirrhosis. Radiofrequency ablation and Microwave ablation are 2 main types of percutaneous thermal ablation for the treatment of HCC. The efficacy and safety between these 2 therapy methods are still under a debate.Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of Radiofrequency ablation and Microwave ablation in treating HCC.Methods:PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane databases and Web of Science were systematically searched. We included randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing the efficacy and safety of Radiofrequency ablation and Microwave ablation in HCC patients. Outcome measures on local tumor progression, complete ablation, disease-free survival, overall survival, or major complications were compared between the 2 groups. The random effect model was used when there was significant heterogeneity between studies, otherwise the fixed effect model was used.Results:A total of 33 studies, involving a total of 4589 patients were identified, which included studies comprised 7 RCTs, 24 retrospective observational trials, and 2 prospective observational trial. Microwave ablation had a lower local tumor progression than Radiofrequency ablation in cohort studies (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.96, P = .02). Complete ablation rate of Microwave ablation was higher than that of Radiofrequency ablation in cohort studies (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.05–2.25, P = .03). There was no significant difference in overall survival and disease-free survival between the 2 groups. Meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the main complications between Microwave ablation and Radiofrequency ablation.Conclusions:Microwave ablation has higher complete ablation and lower local tumor progression than Radiofrequency ablation in the ablation treatment of HCC nodules. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the 2 therapy methods.     

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.     

Clinical features and risk factors of extrahepatic seeding after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: To clarify the clinical features of and risk factors for extrahepatic seeding, a major complication following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Our prospective database of 351 nodules in 257 patients with HCC who had undergone RFA between April 2001 and April 2008 was reviewed. The following variables were assessed to identify the risk factors for extrahepatic seeding: age, sex, viral markers, Child–Pugh class, tumor size, number of tumors, RFA indication (tumor size ≤3 cm, number of tumors ≤3), tumor biopsy prior to RFA, degree of histological differentiation, tumor markers, tumor location, number of sessions, and combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Results: The median follow‐up period was 36.5 months, during which the rate of seeding after was 5.1% and the 5‐year cumulative seeding rate was 8.4%. The survival rate after neoplastic seeding was 21% at 5 years. Univariate analysis of the risk factors for neoplastic seeding showed significant differences in tumor size, RFA indication, subcapsular lesion, number of sessions, tumor biopsy prior to RFA, and des‐gamma‐carboxy prothrombin value. However, multivariate analysis showed that the only independent risk factor was RFA indication. Conclusions: The prognosis of patients with neoplastic seeding was poor. In particular, RFA performed for HCC not satisfying the RFA indication showed a high risk of seeding, and careful consideration should be given to the optimal treatment method and avoiding direct puncture of subcapsular tumors.     

Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: impact on patient's prognosis

Background: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been widely accepted as an alternative to surgery for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In RFA, a portion of liver tissue surrounding tumour is also ablated to achieve a safety margin. The intrahepatic bile duct may be injured and result in chronic bile duct dilatation upstream of the injured site. However, the impact of such an injury on the overall prognosis has been unclear. Methods: Patients who showed bile duct dilatation following RFA were identified by a retrospective review of imaging studies. Each dilatation was classified as mild (limited to one hepatic subsegment) or severe (affecting two or more subsegments). The relation between the incidence of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation and HCC recurrence or survival was analysed using proportional hazard models. Results: Among 589 consecutive HCC patients treated with RFA, 70 (11.9%) and 21 (3.6%) patients showed mild and severe bile duct dilatation respectively. Patients with severe dilatation, but not those with mild dilatation, had lower survival and higher HCC recurrence than patients without dilatation. Severe dilatation, but not mild dilatation, was significantly associated with death [hazard ratio (HR) 2.17, P=0.035] and recurrence (HR 2.89, P<0.001). Conclusion: Whereas mild bile duct dilatation after RFA is clinically negligible, bile duct dilatation affecting two or more subsegments should be regarded as a complication that may affect the prognosis and should be observed carefully.