Successful treatment of radiofrequency-induced biliary lesions by interventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC)

A prognostic model and treatment strategy for intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors for intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection.

METHODS

Of 297 patients with HCC who underwent curative resection between 1998 and 2007, 145 had intrahepatic recurrence, and 125 of these were enrolled in this study. We analyzed the relationships between overall survival after HCC recurrence and 20 variables at initial hepatectomy and recurrence.

RESULTS

Recurrent HCC was treated by repeat hepatectomy (Re-Hr, n = 29), radiofrequency ablation (RFA, n = 58), or transarterial chemoembolization (TAE, n = 38). Complete tumor control (CTC) by Re-He and RFA was selected for 70% of patients. RFA-treated patients had more tumors, smaller tumors, and poorer liver function at recurrence than the Re-Hr group. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year post-recurrence survival rates (SR) were 93.1, 66.8, 58.1%; 94.7, 75.1, 48.3%; and 80.1, 22.5, 0%, respectively, in the Re-Hr, RFA, and TAE groups. The SR was better for Re-Hr and RFA than for TAE (p < 0.0001). Outcomes were similar in Re-Hr and RFA, regardless of recurrent tumor size. Multivariate analysis identified Child-Pugh grade B, AFP ≥100 ng/ml at recurrence, recurrent tumor size ≥3 cm, tumor number ≥3, and CTC as significant prognostic factors for overall post-recurrence survival. A scoring system using 1 point for each patient-background factor provided a well-categorized predictive model. The overall 3-/5-year post-recurrence SRs were 83.1/59.3%, 64.1/41.9%, 42.0/18.0%, and 13.6/0% at risk number (R) R0, R1, R2, and R3/4, respectively (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant prognostic factors for intrahepatic recurrent HCC are poor hepatic reserve, AFP, recurrent tumor size and number, and CTC. Selection of treatment modality for intrahepatic recurrence requires the clinician to be mindful of the predictive factors and to control tumors aggressively by adequate treatment, selected by balancing various conditions.

Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: Actual limitations and potential solutions in the future

Over the past decade, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has evolved into an important therapeutical tool for the treatment of non resectable primary and secondary liver tumors. The clinical benefit of RFA is represented in several clinical studies. They underline the safety and feasibility of this new and modern concept in treating liver tumors. RFA has proven its clinical impact not only in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but also in metastatic disease such as colorectal cancer (CRC). Due to the increasing number of HCC and CRC, RFA might play an even more important role in the future. Therefore, the refinement of RFA technology is as important as the evaluation of data of prospective randomized trials that will help define guidelines for good clinical practice in RFA application in the future. The combination of hepatic resection and RFA extends the feasibility of open surgical procedures in patients with extensive tumors. Adverse effects of RFA such as biliary tract damage, liver failure and local recurrence remain an important task today but overall the long term results of RFA application in treating liver tumors are promising. Incomplete ablation of liver tumors due to insufficient technology of ablation needles, tissue cooling by the neighbouring blood vessels, large tumor masses and ablation of tumors in close vicinity to heat sensitive organs remain difficult tasks for RFA. Future solutions to overcome these limitations of RFA will include refinement of ultrasonographic guidance (accuracy of probe placement), improvements in needle technology (e.g. needles preventing charring) and intraductal cooling techniques.

Intraductal chilled saline perfusion to prevent bile duct injury during percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a promising, minimally invasive treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, thermal injury sometimes occurs in the bile duct, potentially leading to a critical situation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether bile duct injury is reduced by an intraductal chilled saline perfusion (ICSP) through a nasobiliary tube during RFA for HCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The baseline incidence of bile duct injury at Gifu Municipal Hospital was 3.1% (13 patients) in 424 patients with HCC treated by percutaneous RFA. In all patients, the tumor was within 5 mm of the central bile duct on CT images. The incidence of bile duct injury was 46% among the 28 selected patients whose tumor was close to the central bile duct. To prevent complications in such high-risk patients, we placed a nasobiliary tube endoscopically before RFA, and performed ICSP during RFA. Forty consecutive patients with tumors close to the central bile duct were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

Of the 40 enrolled patients, only one had biliary injury, whereas the remaining 39 patients were able to avoid it. The incidence of biliary injury was significantly reduced in the ICSP group (1/40, 2.5%) compared to that in the control group (13/28, 46%) (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the liver function 6 months after RFA was also better preserved in the ICSP group according to Child-Pugh grading, thus resulting in a better clinical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

ICSP through a nasobiliary tube is a potential intervention method to prevent biliary injury by percutaneous RFA.

Prevention of biliary lesions that may occur during radiofrequency ablation of the liver: study on the pig

OBJECTIVE

To prevent bile duct injury by using a cold 5% glucose isotonic solution cooling in the bile ducts when radiofrequency (RF) is performed in a porcine model.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Complications that may arise during liver RF ablation include biliary stenosis and abscesses.

METHODS

The RITA 1500 generator was used for the experiments. Two lesions were performed in the left liver. The pigs were killed 1 or 3 weeks after the procedure. An ex vivo cholangiogram was obtained by direct injection into the main bile duct. Samples of RF lesions, of liver parenchyma near and at a distance from the RF lesions, underwent pathologic studies. Two groups of 20 pigs each were treated: one without perfusion of the bile ducts and the other with perfusion of cold 5% glucose isotonic solution into the bile ducts. The Pringle maneuver was used in 50% of the RF procedures. Radiologic lesions were classified as biliary stenosis, complete interruption of the bile duct, or extravasation of the radiologic contrast liquid.

RESULTS

Histologic lesions of the bile ducts were observed near the ablated RF lesion site and at a distance from the RF lesions when a Pringle maneuver was performed. Radiologic and histologic lesions of the bile ducts were significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) when the bile ducts were cooled.

CONCLUSIONS

Cooling of the bile ducts with a cold 5% glucose isotonic solution significantly protects the intrahepatic bile ducts from damages caused by the heat generated by RF when performed close to the bile ducts.

Adverse effects of radiofrequency ablation of liver tumours in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a new treatment for liver tumours. Complications encountered after RFA in the Netherlands were evaluated in the present study.

METHODS

Between June 1999 and November 2003 patients undergoing RFA of irresectable liver tumours in eight medical centres were registered prospectively.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-three RFA procedures were performed in 122 patients. RFA was combined with partial hepatectomy in 37 instances. Death occurred after two procedures (1.4 per cent), and was mainly due to concomitant partial hepatectomy. A total of 19 major complications occurred after ten procedures, including biliary tract damage (seven patients), liver failure (four), hepatic abscess (three), peritoneal infection (two), intrahepatic haematoma (one), hepatic artery aneurysm (one) and pulmonary embolism (one). Twenty-four minor complications were related to concomitant partial hepatectomy or laparotomy. The overall complication rate was 20.3 per cent and the rate of complications related directly to RFA was 9.8 per cent.

CONCLUSION

The procedure-specific complication rate was almost 10 per cent and it is recommended that RFA should be performed only by an experienced team comprising a hepatobiliary surgeon, gastroenterologist, hepatologist and interventional radiologist. Biliary stricture, hepatic vascular damage and hepatic abscesses were the most common major complications.

Experimental bile duct protection by intraductal cooling during radiofrequency ablation

BACKGROUND

The use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver tumours is limited by the proximity of large bile ducts to the targeted lesion. The aim of this randomized study was to evaluate intraductal cooling as a mean of protecting the bile ducts during RFA.

METHODS

Twelve pigs underwent RFA adjacent to the right bile duct. After placement of an intraductal cooling catheter and a RFA probe, pigs were randomized to cooling or no cooling. Intraductal temperature was measured in all animals. The bile ducts were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cholangiography 1 and 28 days after the procedure.

RESULTS

Intraductal cooling abolished the increase of intraductal temperature seen in the absence of cooling. Concurrent cholangiography and MRI showed a biliary lesion in one of six pigs subjected to intraductal cooling and in five of six without cooling (P = 0.040). The biliary injuries were barely visible by MRI on day 1 but were clearly visible on day 28.

CONCLUSION

Intraductal cooling can prevent biliary injury induced by RFA. The exact parameters for intraductal cooling require further investigation to establish the best compromise between bile duct protection and complete ablation of surrounding tissue.