Safety and efficacy analysis of microwave ablation in small hepatocellular carcinomas sized below 3 cm.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) in small hepatocellular carcinomas sized ≤ 3 cm, determine long-term survival, and identify prognostic factors for survival rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, the radiological and laboratory findings obtained from 31 consecutive patients who underwent MWA were retrospectively evaluated. The survival periods and complication rates were analysed. RESULTS: Microwave ablation was applied to 42 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in 31 patients. The mean age of the patients was 61 ± 7.3 (median 62, range 46-78) years. The mean overall survival (OS) was 47.4 ± 3.3 months. The rates of cumulative OS in the first, second, and third years were 95.2%, 91.8%, and 79.2%, respectively. The mean disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 24.1 ± 2.5 months. The cumulative DFS rates in the first, second, and third years were 75.6%, 52.5%, and 28.2%, respectively. The number of tumours and tumour distribution were determined as prognostic factors. No major complication was detected, but six patients (13.9%) developed minor complications after MWA. CONCLUSIONS: Microwave ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is a safety treatment modality with very low rates of complications. It offers an effective treatment with a high rate of complete response and local disease control according to the short-term results. In the long term, it prolongs the survival time of the treated patients. The number of tumours and tumour distribution were determined as prognostic factors affecting survival rates.

Causa rara de distensión abdominal aguda: apertura del conducto pancreático en un quiste hidatídico / A rare cause of acute abdominal distention: opening of the pancreatic duct into hydatic cyst

Introducción. El quiste hidatídico, causado por Echinococcus granulosus, se observa mayormente en el hígado y los pulmones, aunque raramente también puede localizarse en cualquier órgano o tejido blando. En este artículo se presenta el caso de un paciente con quiste hidatídico pancreático con apertura del conducto pancreático en el quiste. A propósito de un caso: Se atendió en nuestra clínica a un niño de 10 años de edad con distensión abdominal significativa y dolor en el epigastrio de 10 días de evolución. La concentración de amilasa sérica era de 3709 U/l y la inhibición de la hemaglutinación para hidatidosis era de 1/160. En la tomografía computarizada de abdomen se observaron dos lesiones separadas y ascitis, un quiste hidatídico de tipo CE2 en la región de la cola del páncreas y un quiste hidatídico de tipo CE1 en el lóbulo izquierdo del hígado. Se realizó el drenaje percutáneo del quiste ubicado en la cola del páncreas y se inició tratamiento con albendazol. Se retiró la sonda de drenaje, y desde ese momento se ha realizado el seguimiento del paciente sin que se observen complicaciones.

Introduction. Hydatid cyst, which is caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is mostly seen in the liver and lungs although it may also rarely be found in any organ or soft tissue. This study presents an interesting case of pancreatic hydatid cyst in which the pancreatic duct opened into this cyst. Case report. A 10-year-old boy presented to our clinic with significant abdominal distension and pain in the epigastric region which had started 10 days previously. Serum amylase level was 3709 U/L and hemagglutination inhibition for hydatid disease was 1/160. At abdominal computed tomography, two separate lesions and ascites were determined, a CE2 hydatid cyst in the region of the tail of the pancreas and a CE1 hydatid cyst in the left lobe of the liver. Percutaneous drainage was applied to the cyst in the pancreatic tail, and the patient was started on albendazole. The drainage catheter was removed, and the patient has since been followed-up on an outpatient basis with no complications.

A rare cause of acute abdominal distention: opening of the pancreatic duct into hydatic cyst. / Causa rara de distensión abdominal aguda: apertura del conducto pancreático en un quiste hidatídico.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid cyst, which is caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is mostly seen in the liver and lungs although it may also rarely be found in any organ or soft tissue. This study presents an interesting case of pancreatic hydatid cyst in which the pancreatic duct opened into this cyst. CASE REPORT: A 10-year-old boy presented to our clinic with significant abdominal distension and pain in the epigastric region which had started 10 days previously. Serum amylase level was 3709 U/L and hemagglutination inhibition for hydatid disease was 1/160. At abdominal computed tomography, two separate lesions and ascites were determined, a CE2 hydatid cyst in the region of the tail of the pancreas and a CE1 hydatid cyst in the left lobe of the liver. Percutaneous drainage was applied to the cyst in the pancreatic tail, and the patient was started on albendazole. The drainage catheter was removed, and the patient has since been followed-up on an outpatient basis with no complications.