Clinical application of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with synchronous C-arm cone-beam CT guided radiofrequency ablation in treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma

Single medium-sized hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sequential conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) and microwave ablation at 4 weeks versus cTACE alone: a propensity score

Background

Microwave ablation (MWA) is a potentially curative treatment for unresectable patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤ 3 cm, while its therapeutic efficacy decreases significantly for HCC > 3cm. Previous studies have demonstrated that conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) combined with MWA (cTACE-MWA) may improve local tumor control rate and reduce the recurrence rate for HCC > 3cm. However, there have been few study designs to analyze the clinical efficacy of cTACE-MWA for medium-sized HCC (3–5cm). Therefore, this study aims to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of cTACE-MWA with cTACE alone for a single medium-sized HCC of 3–5 cm in diameter.

Methods

We retrospectively investigate the data of 90 patients with a single medium-sized HCC who were referred to our hospital and underwent cTACE-MWA or cTACE alone from December 2017 to March 2020. Then, patients were identified with propensity score-matched (1:1). The local tumor response to treatment and time to progression (TTP) were compared using mRECIST criteria between the cTACE-MWA group and the cTACE group.

Results

A total of 42 patients were included after matching (cTACE-MWA: 21; cTACE: 21). Comparing with cTACE, cTACE-MWA demonstrate significantly better local tumor control (ORR: 95.2% vs 61.9%, p = 0.02; DCR: 95.2% vs 66.7%, p = 0.045) and TTP (median 19.8 months vs 6.8 months, p < 0.001). The 1- and 2-year cumulative probabilities of OS were 100% and 95% in the cTACE-MWA group, which were significantly higher than those in the cTACE group (95% and 76%) (p = 0.032). Multivariate Cox regression analysis illustrates that cTACE-MWA was associated with better TTP (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.76; p = 0.012), but tumor size was associated with worse TTP (hazard ratio, 1.71; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.89; p = 0.045).

Conclusions

cTACE followed by MWA improved TTP and OS in patients with a single medium-sized HCC, and no major complication was observed in this study.

Comparison of Angio-CT and cone-beam CT-guided immediate radiofrequency ablation after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for large hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the rapeutic effectiveness of Angio-CT or cone-beam CT (CBCT)-guided immediate radiofrequency ablation (RFA) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

117 large HCC patients (mean maximum diameter: 9.3 cm; range 5.3-17.7 cm) were retrospective studied and divided into Angio-CT group (n = 66 cases), CBCT group (n = 21 cases), and single TACE group (n = 30 cases) according to treatment (Angio-CT/CBCT-guided immediate RFA after TACE, single TACE, respectively). The operative time, effective radiation dose, local-regional tumor responses, overall survival (OS), and progression‑free survival (PFS) time and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

The operative time and effective radiation dose of Angio-CT group and CBCT group were higher than those of TACE group (P < 0.01). The local-regional tumor responses on 1-month follow-up MRI (complete response + partial response) of Angio-CT group and CBCT group were 100%, which were significantly higher than that of single TACE group (76.7%, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in local-regional tumor responses of 1-month follow-up between Angio-CT group and CBCT group (P = 0.831). The median PFS and OS time of Angio-CT group were 14.7 ± 1.43 months and 18.21 ± 0.88 months, CBCT group were 13.9 ± 1.53 months and 17.87 ± 1.78 months, TACE group were 10.4 ± 1.21 months and 12.87 ± 0.91 months, respectively. No procedure-related major complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

MIYABI Angio-CT or CBCT-guided immediate RFA after TACE for large HCC both have more effective than single TACE. The former is worth popularizing, due to its advantages of convenience, shorter operative time, and less radiation dose for doctors.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with simultaneous DynaCT-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the method and effectiveness of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with simultaneous DynaCT-guided Microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (SHCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From June 2015 to May 2017, a total of 28 consecutive patients with SHCC received single treatment of TACE and 23 subjects received a combination treatment of TACE with simultaneous DynaCT-guided MWA. Following 1 month of treatment, the tumor response was assessed using the mRECIST criteria and the outcomes were analyzed including intervention-associated complications, changes in liver function, imaging response, and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

The technical success rate was 100%. The rates of CR (65%) in the combined TACE and MWA group were higher than those of the TACE group (46%). The rate of common adverse events, such as liver abscess, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and liver dysfunction, in the combined TACE and MWA group (56%) was comparable to the corresponding rate of the TACE group (P > 0.411). The median and mean PFS of the TACE group were significantly lower than those of the combined TACE and MWA group (19.00 months vs. 29.00 months, 21.076 months vs. 24.693 months, p = 0.019, log-rank test).

CONCLUSION

Stereotactic DynaCT-guided MWA is a safe and effective method for the treatment of SHCC, which usually provides an effective tumor puncture path, notably for lesions that cannot be detected following TACE. Overall, the data suggested that this treatment method could improve the clinical outcome of patients with SHCC.

Locoregional treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma: Current evidence and future directions

Liver cancers are the second most frequent cause of global cancer-related mortality of which 90% are attributable to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the advent of screening programmes for patients with known risk factors, a substantial number of patients are ineligible for curative surgery at presentation with limited outcomes achievable with systemic chemotherapy/external radiotherapy. This has led to the advent of numerous minimally invasive options including but not limited to trans-arterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency/microwave ablation and more recently selective internal radiation therapy many of which are often the first-line treatment for select stages of HCC or serve as a conduit to liver transplant. The authors aim to provide a comprehensive overview of these various image guided minimally invasive therapies with a brief focus on the technical aspects accompanied by a critical analysis of the literature to assess the most up-to-date evidence from comparative systematic reviews and meta-analyses finishing with an assessment of novel combination regimens and future directions of travel.

Angio-CT-Guided Transarterial Chemoembolization Immediately in Combination with Radiofrequency Ablation for Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the method and effectiveness of Angio-CT-guided transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) immediately in combination with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs; maximum enhancing diameter >5 cm).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 48 patients with solitary large HCCs who were admitted from October 2012 to June 2016 and treated by immediate combination therapy, and 48 patients with solitary large HCCs who were treated by a sequential combination (RFA at 2-4 weeks after TACE) therapy in the same period were randomly selected as controls. After treatment, the success rates of the immediately combined technique, the short-term outcomes of the immediately combined treatment (using the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor standard), and the survival rates were evaluated.

RESULTS

The success rate of the immediately combined technique was 100%. The complete remission rates 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment in the study group were 58.3%༌56.2%, and 47.9%, respectively, while the corresponding complete remission rates of control group were 37.5%, 33.3%, and 27.1%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of the study group were 95.8%, 85.4%, and 58.3%, respectively, while the corresponding survival rates of the control group were 83.3%, 68.7%, and 43.8%, respectively. None of the patients had any serious complications.

CONCLUSION

Angio-CT-guided TACE immediately in combination with RFA is a feasible, safe method for the treatment of large HCCs with excellent short-term outcomes and improved long-term prognoses.

Transarterial chemoembolization with radiofrequency ablation versus hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria: a retrospective study

Purpose

To compare the efficacies of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with hepatectomy. Prognostic factors for the patient groups were analyzed.

Patients and methods

Data of 314 newly diagnosed cases of hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria were studied from January 2012 to December 2013 in our hospital. Forty-four patients were excluded owing to loss to follow-up (27 cases) or missing imaging data (17 cases); finally, 270 patients were included. All patients underwent TACE combined with RFA (TR group, 136 patients) or hepatectomy (HT group, 134 patients). Efficacy evaluation and prognostic factor analysis of the groups were conducted. Overall survival (OS) rate, progression-free survival (PFS) rate, and major complications were recorded.

Results

The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates and median survival times were 98.5%, 83.1%, 66.2%, 37.1%, and 46 months, respectively, for the TR group and 89.6%, 69.4%, 53.7%, 30.3%, and 38 months, respectively, for the HT group. There were significant statistical differences in survival rate and median survival time between the groups. Median PFS was 21 months for the TR group and 8 months for the HT group. Difference between groups was statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed treatment method, tumor diameter and number, Child–Pugh classification, antiviral therapy, and alpha-fetoprotein levels were the independent factors affecting OS rates. Treatment mode and tumor diameter and number were the independent factors affecting PFS.

Conclusion

TACE with RFA is superior to hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment beyond the Milan criteria.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with simultaneous DynaCT-guided radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of solitary large hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To introduce the technique and investigate the clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with simultaneous DynaCT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of solitary large hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) (maximal diameter > 5 cm).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-six patients who received TACE combined with simultaneous DynaCT-guided RFA for solitary large HCCs between January 2012 and August 2016 were reviewed, and the success rate, safety, local tumor progression (LTP), and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively investigated. OS and time to progression were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Technical success rate was 100%, average operative time for DynaCT-guided RFA was 45.3 ± 4.8 min, average radiation dose was 730.5 ± 78.8 mGy, and no life-threatening complications were observed. At 1-month follow-up enhanced MRI, complete remission was achieved in 82.6% of patients (38/46), and partial remission in 17.4% (8/46). The median follow-up period was 29.5 months (interquartile range 4.0-69.0 months). At 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery, the LTP rates were 4.3, 13.1, and 30.4%, respectively, and the OS rates were 89.1, 71.7, and 56.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

DynaCT-guided TACE + RFA is safe and feasible for the treatment of solitary large HCCS. TACE combined with simultaneous RFA provides a new treatment option for solitary large HCCs in which DynaCT has important clinical value.

Adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma involving microvascular invasion

BACKGROUND

Microvascular invasion (MVI) has recently been reported to be an independent prognostic factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study compared the outcomes of adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (A-TACE) after hepatic resection (HR) in patients with HCC involving MVI.

METHODS

This prospective study involved 200 consecutive patients with MVI-HCC who underwent HR alone (n = 109) or HR with A-TACE (n = 91).The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The two groups showed similar DFS at 1, 2, and 3 years (P = 0.077). The A-TACE group showed significantly higher OS than the HR-only group (P = 0.030). Subgroup analysis showed that A-TACE was associated with significantly higher DFS and OS among patients with a tumor diameter >5 cm or with multinodular tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

A-TACE may improve postoperative outcomes for MVI-HCC patients, especially those with tumor diameter >5 cm or multinodular tumors.

Clinical efficacy of chemoembolization with simultaneous radiofrequency ablation for treatment of adrenal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

This study investigated the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with simultaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as treatment for adrenal metastases (AM) from hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).

Methods

The records of 63 patients with AM who were treated at our Hospital between February 2013 and August 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into a TACE+RFA group (n = 38) and a control group that received TACE alone (n = 25) according to different treatment methods. The success rate, tumor control rate, and safety of these groups were compared, and survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

All treatments could be completed technically successful in both groups. The tumor control rate at first imaging after 1 months was 92.1% (35/38) in the TACE+RFA group and 76.0% (19/25) in the TACE group(P = 0.041). The assisted local tumor control rate allowing repeated interventions in case of local recurrence was 70.0% (7/10) in the TACE+RFA group and 30.8% (4/13) in the TACE group (P = 0.039). During the follow up period, the TACE+RFA group had better survival than the TACE group at 1 year (92.1% vs. 88.0%), 2 years (73.7% vs. 64.0%), and 3 years (55.3% vs. 44.0%) (P = 0.040). The mean survival time was 26.8 ± 2.0 months (95% CI, 22.8–30.7) in the TACE+RFA group and 17.5 ± 2.2 months (95% CI, 13.1–21.8) in the TACE group.

Conclusion

TACE+RFA led to better control of local disease progression and longer survival time than TACE alone in the treatment of AM from HCC. Although patients given TACE+RFA had more complications than those given TACE alone, these complications were easily managed.

Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Combined with Simultaneous Computed Tomography-guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Large Hepatocellular Carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Currently, the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a challenging problem. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the main treatment for intermediate end-stage HCC, while it is only a palliative and not a curative treatment due to the existence of residual tumors, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has limitations in complete ablation of large HCC. We hypothesized that TACE combined with simultaneous RFA (herein referred to as TACE + RFA) could improve the efficacy and survival of large HCC. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of TACE + RFA on single large HCC.

METHODS

A total of 66 patients with single large HCC (≥5 cm in diameter) were recruited between February 2010 and June 2016. TACE was first performed and computed tomography was performed immediately after TACE, and the lesions with poor lipiodol deposition were subjected to simultaneous RFA. The success rate, technique-related complications, liver and kidney functions, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, progression-free survival (PFS), median survival time (MST), focal control rate, and long-term survival rate were evaluated.

RESULTS

TACE + RFA were performed smoothly in all the patients with the success rate of 100%. Intra- and post-operative severe complications were not observed. There were no marked differences in mean alanine transaminase or aspartate transaminase before TACE + RFA compared with 7 days after TACE + RFA (all P > 0.05). In 57 AFP-positive patients, the levels of serum AFP were reduced by 100.0%, 100.0%, and 94.7% at 1, 3, and 6 months after TACE + RFA, respectively; the tumor control rates (complete remission + partial remission) were 100.0% (66/66), 92.4% (61/66), 87.9% (58/66), and 70.1% (39/55) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after TACE + RFA, respectively. Patients were followed up for 7-82 months after TACE + RFA. The MST was 18.3 months, PFS was 14.2 ± 6.2 months, and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 93.2% (55/59), 42.5% (17/40), and 27.2% (9/33), respectively.

CONCLUSION

TACE + RFA is safe, feasible, and effective in enhancing the focal control rate and survival rate of patients with large HCC.

Single injection dual phase CBCT technique ameliorates results of trans-arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular cancer

Cone-beam CT (CBCT) application to the field of trans-arterial chemoembolization has been recently the focus of several researches. This imaging modality is performed with a rotation of the C-arm around the patient, without needs of patient repositioning. Datasets are immediately processed, obtaining volumetric CT-like images with the possibility of post-processing and reconstruction of images. Dual phase CBCT recently introduced in clinical practice consists in a first arterial acquisition followed by a delayed acquisition corresponding to a venous phase. The introduction of this feature has overcome the limit of single-phase acquisitions, allowing lesions characterization. Moreover these recent advantages have several intra-procedural implications. Detailed technical and acquisition parameters will be widely exposed in this review with particular attention to: catheter positioning, acquisition delay, injection parameters, patient positioning and contrast dilution. Comparison with standard of practice second line imaging [multidetector computer tomography (MDCT) and MDCT/arteriography] demonstrate the capability of detecting occult nodules providing some clinical implications thus potentially identifying a sub set of patients with aggressive disease behaviour. Other intra-procedural advantages of dual phase CBCT usage consist in a better tumor feeder visualization, reduction of proper DSA and fluoroscopic time, suggestion the presence of an extrahepatic parasitic feeder thus resulting in a more accurate treatment. Finally, the volumetrical intraprocedural evaluation of accumulation of embolic agent has proved to be correlate with treatment response if compared with MRI.

Transarterial Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Comprehensive Review with Current Updates and Future Directions

Hepatocellular cancer is a very common cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Only 30-40% of patients present with early-stage disease open to curative treatments, such as resection or transplantation, while others can only undergo local therapies or palliative care. Various trans-arterial approaches have been used for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who need a down-staging to liver transplantation, and who are not candidates for transplantation or radiofrequency ablation. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), transarterial embolization (TAE), drug-eluting beads, and radioembolization have been used for locoregional control, and have been shown to prolong the overall survival when compared with supportive care. In this review, we discuss patient selection, pre- and post-procedure imaging, techniques, safety, and clinical outcomes related to these therapies. Newer advances with future directions in various fields related to trans-arterial therapies are also discussed.

3D CACT-assisted Radiofrequency Ablation Following Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Early Experience

BACKGROUND

To explored the value of 3D C-arm CT (CACT) guidance system in performing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) following transarterial chemoembolizationon (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RFA of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) were performed on 15 patients (21 lesions) with the assistance of CACT guidance system. Technical success, procedure time, complications and patient radiation exposure were investigated. The puncture performance level was evaluated on a five-point scale (5-1: excellent- poor). Complete ablation rate was evaluated after two months follow-up using enhanced CT scans.

RESULTS

The technical success rate of RFA procedure under CACT navigation system was 100%. Mean total procedure time was 24.24 ± 6.53 min, resulting in a mean effective exposure dose of 15.4 ± 5.1 mSv. The mean puncture performance level rated for CACT guided RFA procedure was 4.87 ± 0.35. Complete ablation (CA) was achieved in 20 (95.2%) of the treated 21 tumors after the first RFA session. None of patients developed intra-procedural complications.

CONCLUSIONS

3D CACT guidance system enables reliable and efficient needle positioning by providing real-time intraoperative guidance for performing RFA on HCCs.

Retrospective evaluation of discrepancies between radiological and pathological size of hepatocellular carcinoma masses

BACKGROUND

The size of a hepatic neoplasm is critical for staging, prognosis and selection of appropriate treatment. Our study aimed to compare the radiological size of solid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) masses on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the pathological size in a Chinese population, and to elucidate discrepancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 178 consecutive patients diagnosed with HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection after enhanced MRI between July 2010 and October 2013 were retrospectively identified and analyzed. Pathological data of the whole removed tumors were assessed and differences between radiological and pathological tumor size were identified. All patients were restaged using a modified Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging system postoperatively according to the maximum diameter alteration. The lesions were classified as hypo-staged, iso-staged or hyper-staged for qualitative assessment. In the quantitative analysis, the relative pre and postoperative tumor size contrast ratio (%Δsize) was also computed according to size intervals. In addition, the relationship between radiological and pathological tumor diameter variation and histologic grade was analyzed.

RESULTS

Pathological examination showed 85 (47.8%) patients were overestimated, 82 (46.1%) patients underestimated, while accurate measurement by MRI was found in 11 (6.2%) patients. Among the total subjects, 14 (7.9%) patients were hypo-staged and 15 (8.4%) were hyper-staged post-operatively. Accuracy of MRI for calculation and characterized staging was related to the lesion size, ranging from 83.1% to 87.4% (<2cm to ≥5cm, p=0.328) and from 62.5% to 89.1% (cT1 to cT4, p=0.006), respectively. Overall, MRI misjudged pathological size by 6.0 mm (p=0.588 ), and the greatest difference was observed in tumors <2cm (3.6 mm, %Δsize=16.9%, p=0.028). No statistically significant difference was observed for moderately differentiated HCC (5.5mm, p=0.781). However, for well differentiated and poorly differentiated cases, radiographic tumor maximum diameter was significantly larger than the pathological maximum diameter by 3.15 mm and underestimated by 4.51 mm, respectively (p=0.034 and 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

A preoperative HCC tumor size measurement using MRI can provide relatively acceptable accuracy but may give rise to discrepancy in tumors in a certain size range or histologic grade. In pathological well differentiated subjects, the pathological tumor size was significantly overestimated, but underestimated in poorly differentiated HCC. The difference between radiological and pathological tumor size was greatest for tumors <2 cm. For some HCC patients, the size difference may have implications for the decision of resection, transplantation, ablation, or arterially directed therapy, and should be considered in staging or selecting the appropriate treatment tactics.

Impact of 3D Rotational Angiography on Liver Embolization Procedures: Review of Technique and Applications

In the last years, the interest into interventional applications of C-arm cone-beam CT (CBCT) progressively raised, widening its clinical application from the original field of interventional neuroradiology to the field of peripheral procedures. Liver embolization procedures, due to their complexity and potential treatment-related life-threatening complications, represent one of the main clinical applications of this novel angiographic technique. CBCT has been demonstrated to render procedures safer and technically easier, and to predict outcome as well as to avoid major complications in different treatment scenarios (trans-arterial embolization, trans-arterial chemoembolization, selective internal radiation therapy, percutaneous portal vein embolization). This review summarizes all technical, dosimetric and procedural aspects of CBCT techniques, underlying all its potential clinical advantages in the field of liver embolization procedures. Moreover, the paper provides all the instructions to obtain the best diagnostic performance out of this novel angiographic technique.

Safety and efficacy of sequential transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization prior to major hepatectomy for patients with HCC

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sequential transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE )and portal vein embolization (PVE) before major hepatectomy for patients with hepatocellur carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

In this retrospective case-control study, data were collected from patients who underwent sequential TACE and PVE prior to major hemihepactectomy. Liver volumes were measured by computed tomography volumetry before TACE, and preoperation to assess degree of future remnant liver (FRL) hypertrophy and to check whether intro- or extrohepatic metastasis existed. Liver function was monitored by biochemistry after TACE, prior to and after major hepatectomy.

RESULTS

Mean average FRL volume increased 32.3-71.4% (mean 55.4%) compared with preoperative FRL volume. After TACE, liver enzymes were elevated, but returned to normal in four weeks. During PVE and resection, no patient had intro- or extrohepatic metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Sequential TACE and PVE is an effective method to improve resection opportunity, expand the scope of surgical resection, and greatly reduce postoperative intra- and extrahepatic metastasis.

[Interventional sonography of the liver and kidneys]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

Optimization of ultrasound guided interventional procedures of the liver and kidneys using new imaging methods.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

Punctures, biopsies, drainage, intraoperative ultrasound, fusion, embolization in correlation with ultrasound and other imaging methods.

METHODICAL INNOVATIONS

Real-time-sonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and fusion for planning, monitoring and postinterventional control.

PERFORMANCE

The use of CEUS enables better detection, characterization and execution of interventional procedures. Fusion facilitates detection.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The CEUS procedure is superior for detection and characterization of smaller lesions in comparison to the B scan. Fusion enables the performance of difficult interventional procedures.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The B scan is the standard imaging method but CEUS and fusion could be helpful for smaller lesions.

Drainage alone or combined with anti-tumor therapy for treatment of obstructive jaundice caused by recurrence and metastasis after primary tumor resection

AIM

To compare drainage alone or combined with anti-tumor therapy for treatment of obstructive jaundice caused by recurrence and metastasis after primary tumor resection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collect 42 patients with obstructive jaundice caused by recurrence and metastasis after tumor resection from January 2008 - August 2012, for which percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage (pTCD)/ percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting (pTBS) were performed. In 25 patients drainage was combined with anti-tumor treatment, antineoplastic therapy including intra/postprodure local treatment and postoperative systemic chemotherapy, the other 17 undergoing drainage only. We assessed the two kinds of treatment with regard to patient prognosis.

RESULTS

Both treatments demonstrated good effects in reducing bilirubin levels in the short term and promoting liver function. The time to reobstruction was 125 days in the combined group and 89 days in the drainage only group; the mean survival times were 185 and 128 days, the differences being significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventional drainage in the treatment of the obstructive jaundice caused by recurrence and metastasis after tumor resection can decrease bilirubin level quickly in a short term and promote the liver function recovery. Combined treatment prolongs the survival time and period before reobstruction as compared to drainage only.