Successful percutaneous CT-guided microwave ablation of adrenal gland for ectopic Cushing syndrome

Safety and efficacy of thermal ablation of adrenal metastases secondary to lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

Assess safety and efficacy of thermal ablation for adrenal metastases (AM) secondary to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with NSCLC AM treated with thermal ablation between 2/2010-11/2021. Local tumor progression free survival (LTPFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Adverse events were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.

RESULTS

Seven patients (mean age ± SD, 63.9 ± 12.5 years; 6 males) with seven AM were treated in eight sessions. Retreatment was performed in one patient with residual disease. Five sessions were with microwave ablation and 3 with radiofrequency ablation. Mean tumor size was 20.1 ± 7.0 mm. Median number of ablation probes used was 1 (range, 1-5), with a median of 3 activations (range, 1-3), and average ablation time of 14.4 ± 15.0 minutes. Response based on RECIST v 1.1 or PERCIST criteria revealed stable disease in 1 tumor, progression of disease in 3 tumors (one was re-ablated), and partial response in 3 tumors. Median LTPFS was not reached (NR) [95 % CI: 1- NR]. Median OS was 47.97 months (95 % CI: 18.63- NR). Intraprocedural hypertension (blood pressure ≥180 mmHg) occurred during 5/8 (62.5 %) sessions and intraoperative tachycardia occurred during 2/8 (25 %) sessions. Complications within one month of ablation occurred in 3/8 (37.5 %) sessions: grade 2 pneumothorax, grade 1 hematuria, and grade 2 adrenal insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small series, thermal ablation for NSCLC AM resulted in prolonged local control and OS with no major complications.

Adrenalectomy in ectopic Cushing's syndrome: A retrospective cohort study from a tertiary care centre

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) causing ectopic Cushing's syndrome (ECS) are rare and challenging to treat. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to evaluate different approaches for bilateral adrenalectomy (BA) as a treatment option in ECS. Fifty-three patients with ECS caused by a NEN (35 females/18 men; mean ± SD age: 53 ± 15 years) were identified from medical records. Epidemiological and clinical parameters, survival, indications for surgery and timing, as well as duration of surgery, complications and surgical techniques, were collected and further analysed. The primary tumour location was thorax (n = 30), pancreas (n = 14) or unknown (n = 9). BA was performed in 37 patients. Median time from diagnosis of ECS to BA was 2 months (range 1-10 months). Thirty-two patients received different steroidogenesis inhibitors before BA to control hypercortisolaemia. ECS resolved completely after surgery in 33 patients and severe peri- or postoperative complications were detected in 12 patients. There were fewer severe complications in the endoscopic group compared to open surgery (p = .030). Posterior retroperitoneoscopic BA performed simultaneously by a two surgeon approach had the shortest operating time (p = .001). Despite the frequent use of adrenolytic treatment, BA was necessary in a majority of patients to gain control over ECS. Complication rate was high, probably as a result of the combination of metastatic disease and metabolic disorders caused by high cortisol levels. The two surgeon approach BA may be considered as the method of choice in ECS compared to other BA approaches as a result of fewer complications and a shorter operating time.

Asian Conference on Tumor Ablation Guidelines for Adrenal Tumor Ablation

Thermal ablation is a good alternative treatment in patients who are unable to undergo adrenalectomy. Even though the Asian Conference on Tumor Ablation (ACTA) has been held for many years, adrenal ablation guidelines have not been established. No guidelines for adrenal ablation are established in American and European countries, either. The aim of this review was to introduce the first version of ACTA guidelines for adrenal tumor ablation.

Percutaneous Bilateral Adrenal Radiofrequency Ablation in Severe Adrenocorticotropic Hormone-dependent Cushing Syndrome

Objectives:

The objectives of the study were to evaluate adrenal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a method of treatment in patients with severe adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing syndrome, among whom bilateral adrenalectomy is not a suitable option.

Material and Methods:

Five patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome underwent RFA of both adrenal glands. Four of them presented with Cushing disease unsuccessfully treated with pituitary surgery and medical therapy, while one patient had ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome due to pancreatic endocrine tumor with liver metastases. All patients were disqualified from adrenalectomy due to morbid obesity or lack of consent.

Results:

A technical success was obtained in all cases, with only one re-intervention necessitated by a cooling effect of the inferior vena cava. Despite pre-procedural adrenergic blockade, severe hypertension was noted during the procedure in three cases, this being treated immediately using direct-acting vasodilators. No complications occurred otherwise. In all cases, significant improvement of clinical symptoms was observed, as well as marked decreases in levels of serum cortisol, free urine cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.

Conclusion:

Bilateral RFA under CT-guidance is technically feasible and clinical improvement can be achieved using the method. In patients disqualified from adrenal surgery, RFA might be considered as an alternative method of ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome treatment.

Ectopic ACTH syndrome complicated by multiple opportunistic infections treated with percutaneous ablation of the adrenal glands

Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-related Cushing's syndrome can lead to multiple complications including severe immunosuppression. If the ACTH-secreting tumour cannot be found, definitive treatment is surgical adrenalectomy, typically followed by glucocorticoid replacement. Here, we present a case of fulminant respiratory failure secondary to coinfection with Pneumocystis jirovecii and cytomegalovirus in a patient with ectopic ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome with occult primary. Due to significant deconditioning, she was unable to undergo definitive adrenalectomy and instead underwent percutaneous microwave ablation of the adrenal glands.