The safety and efficacy of percutaneous intraductal radiofrequency ablation in unresectable malignant biliary obstruction: A single-institution experience

Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Ablation Plus Stent Versus Stent-alone Treatments for Malignant Biliary Strictures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Malignant biliary strictures (MBS) are very aggressive and cannot be diagnosed in the early stages due to their asymptomatic nature. Stenting the stricture area of the biliary tree is palliative treatment but has poor survival time. Radiofrequency ablation plus stent (RFA+S) have been recently used to improve the survival and stent patency time in patients with MBS. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we tried to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study search up to December 2021 was performed in different medical databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane library, etc. We selected eligible studies reporting survival time, stent patency time, and adverse events in patients with MBS. We compare the outcomes of RFA+S and stent-alone treatment groups.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies (6 randomized controlled trials and 9 observational studies) with 1815 patients were included for meta-analysis of which 701 patients were in RFA+S group and 1114 patients in the stent-alone group. Pooled mean difference of survival time was 2.88 months (95% CI: 1.78-3.97) and pooled mean difference of stent patency time was 2.11 months (95% CI: 0.91-3.30) and clinical success risk ratio was 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01-1.09). Risk ratios for adverse events are given; Bleeding 0.84 (95% CI: 0.34-2.11), abdominal pain 1.06 (95% CI: 0.79-1.40), pancreatitis 0.93 (95% CI: 0.43-2.01), cholangitis 1.07 (95% CI: 0.72-1.59), and stent dysfunction 0.87 (95% CI: 0.70-1.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Radiofrequency ablation is involved in increased survival and stent patency time for MBS patients. With the help of better techniques, adverse events can be limited.

Radiofrequency ablation in the management of primary hepatic and biliary tumors

In the United States, 80%-90% of primary hepatic tumors are hepatocellular carcinomas and 10%-15% are cholangiocarcinomas (CCA), both with high mortality rate, particularly CCA, which portends a worse prognosis. Traditional management with surgery has good outcomes in appropriately selected patients; however, novel ablative treatment options have emerged, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which can improve the prognosis of both hepatic and biliary tumors. RFA is aimed to generate an area of necrosis within the targeted tissue by applying thermal therapy via an electrode, with a goal to completely eradicate the tumor while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. Role of RFA in management of hepatic and biliary tumors forms the focus of our current mini-review article.

Indian College of Radiology and Imaging Evidence-Based Guidelines for Percutaneous Image-Guided Biliary Procedures

Percutaneous biliary interventions are among the commonly performed nonvascular radiological interventions. Most common of these interventions is the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction. Other biliary procedures performed include percutaneous cholecystostomy, biliary stenting, drainage for bile leaks, and various procedures like balloon dilatation, stenting, and large-bore catheter drainage for bilioenteric or post-transplant anastomotic strictures. Although these procedures are being performed for ages, no standard guidelines have been formulated. This article attempts at preparing guidelines for performing various percutaneous image-guided biliary procedures along with discussion on the published evidence in this field.

Stent placement combined with intraluminal radiofrequency ablation and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract cancers with biliary obstruction: a multicentre, retrospective, controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of stent placement combined with intraluminal radiofrequency ablation (intra-RFA) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for patients with advanced biliary tract cancers (Ad-BTCs) and biliary obstruction (BO).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data for patients with Ad-BTCs and BO who underwent stent placement with or without intra-RFA and HAIC in three centres between November 2013 and November 2018. The stent patency time (SPT), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were analysed.

RESULTS

Of the 135 enrolled patients, 64 underwent stent placement combined with intra-RFA and HAIC, while 71 underwent only stent placement. The median SPT was significantly longer in the combination group (8.2 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.1-9.3) than in the control group (4.3 months, 95% CI: 3.6-5.0; p < 0.001). A similar result was observed for OS (combination: 13.2 months, 95% CI: 11.1-16.5; control: 8.5 months, 95% CI: 7.6-9.6; p < 0.001). The incidence of AEs related to biliary tract operation was not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). The most common AE and serious AE related to HAIC were alanine aminotransferase elevation (24/64; 37.5%) and thrombocytopenia (8/64; 12.5%), respectively. All AEs were tolerable, and there was no death from AEs.

CONCLUSIONS

Stent placement combined with intra-RFA and HAIC may be a safe, potential treatment strategy for patients with Ad-BTCs and BO.

KEY POINTS

• Advanced biliary cancers (Ad-BTCs) with biliary obstruction (BO) can rapidly result in liver failure and cachexia with an extremely poor prognosis. • Stent placement combined with intraluminal radiofrequency ablation and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy may be safe and effective for patients with Ad-BTCs and BO. • The long-term efficacy and safety of the combined treatment is promising.

Nonsurgical Approaches to Treat Biliary Tract and Liver Tumors

Endoscopic and percutaneous therapies have been shown to prolong life and reduce morbidity for patients with unresectable advanced stages of primary hepatobiliary malignancies. This article reviews pertinent studies published within the last 5 years that involve locoregional techniques to manage hepatocellular carcinoma, perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinoma. A major emphasis is placed on photodynamic therapy, radiofrequency ablation, irreversible electroporation, and microwave ablation. Technical advances, combinational therapies, and postintervention outcomes are discussed. Despite widespread application, high-quality evidence does not show superiority of any particular locoregional technique for treating advanced hepatobiliary cancers.

Percutaneous endobiliary radiofrequency ablation and stents in management of hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct tumor thrombus: Initial single-institution experience

AIM

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) is a rare condition, but it can lead to hepatic failure and is associated with poor prognosis. Treatment for HCC with BDTT remains a challenge. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the safety and feasibility of percutaneous endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (EB-RFA) and biliary metal stent placement as an alternative treatment for patients with HCC with BDTT.

METHODS

From October 2014 to December 2016, nine patients (all men, mean age 53.2 ± 12.0; range 40-70) who underwent percutaneous EB-RFA and biliary metal stent placement for HCC with BDTT were included. Stent patency, overall survival, technical and clinical success rate and complications were investigated.

RESULTS

Median stent patency from the time of the first EB-RFA was 6.0 months (95% CI, 5.4-6.6 months) and survival from the time of diagnosis was 6.0 months (95% CI, 2.2-9.8 months). Two of 9 patients underwent bilateral EB-RFA and stent placement, one underwent unilateral EB-RFA and stent-in-stent procedure, and one EB-RFA as treatment for biliary metal stent occlusion. One patient who presented with stent occlusion underwent repeat ablations 182 days after the first ablation procedure and 53 days after the re-ablation procedure. Combination therapy was administered to five patients. The technical and clinical success rate were 100% and 89% per patient. After treatment, serum direct bilirubin levels were notably decreased in eight patients. No major complications were observed. Minor complications included one bile duct bleeding, three postoperative abdominal pain and two cholangitis.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous EB-RFA and biliary metal stent placement might be technically safe and feasible therapeutic options for patients with HCC with BDTT.

Safety and Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation of the Medial Branch Nerves with Preexisting Spinal Hardware. A Case Series and Review of Literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To explore the efficacy of radio frequency ablation in treating pain in patients with hardware at site of the procedure.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is very limited data in literature about this topic. One study performed in 2016 indicated no complications when performing RFA close to hardware in patients with chronic pain conditions. Radiofrequency ablation can be safely and effectively performed close to hardware. While heating of the hardware can happen which can theoretically lead to tissue injury or decreased heat going to target nerve, this does not seem to be of clinical significance. More studies are needed to confirm this finding.