Hug sign in intraprocedural cone-beam-CT to predict short-term response to combined treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Combined treatment of ablation and chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma represents a promising therapy to increase treatment efficacy and improve patient survival. The "hug sign" is a recently introduced radiological sign consisting in deposition of beads/contrast agent during transarterial chemoembolization in the hyperemic area surrounding the post-ablation volume, seen during intraprocedural unenhanced cone-beam CT, that may indicate intraprocedural success. Aim of our retrospective study was to analyze the usefulness of the "hug sign" at the intraprocedural unenhanced cone-beam CT as an early predictor of response to combined treatment, based on the hug sign angle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2017 and September 2021 all patients with hepatocellular carcinoma which underwent a combined treatment of thermal ablation followed by chemoembolization were enrolled. All treated patients underwent immediate post-procedural unenhanced cone-beam CT to evaluate the deposition of contrast agent, lipiodol or radiopaque beads and to assess the percentage of coverage of the ablated area with the contrast agent (hug sign angle). Patients with missing pre-procedural, intra-procedural and/or post-procedural data/imaging, or with poor-quality post-procedural cone-beam CT images were excluded. RESULTS: 128 patients (mean age, 69.3 years ± 1.1 [standard deviation]; 87 men) were evaluated. Our study evidenced that 84.4% (81/85) of patients with a hug sign angle of 360° had no residual tumor at the first 1-/3-months follow-up examination. A hug sign angle of 360° also showed to be an independent protective factor against residual tumor at multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Unenhanced cone-beam CT performed at the end of a combined treatment with ablation plus chemoembolization can effectively predict an early treatment response on radiological images, when a hug sign angle of 360° was detected.

Spermatic vein sclero-embolization through basilic vein access: A short communication.

Objectives: To depict the basics of percutaneous spermatic vein sclero-embolization through a right basilic vein access and to qualitatively assess the reduced discomfort and pain of this access compared to the femoral one through a VAS scale. Methods: From February 2019 to March 2020, 20 varicocele sclero-embolizations through a right basilic vein were performed and retrospectively evaluated. All patients were men with a median age of 24.5 years. Treatment technique is described, as well as mean radiation dose and procedural time, and complication rates. Results: Technical success was obtained in all patients. 1 access site complication requiring conversion to femoral access occurred. 100% of patients reported only a "mild" pain ranging from 1 to 3 on VAS scale, suggesting a comfortable access for this procedure. Conclusions: Basilic vein access determines easy left and right spermatic vein catheterization, rapid ambulation as well as easy monitoring of the access site for post-procedural evaluations.

New frontiers in endovascular therapies for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma / Novas fronteiras em terapias endovasculares para carcinoma hepatocelular localmente avançado

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignant liver tumour and is a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the advent of screening programmes, most cases of hepatocellular carcinoma are diagnosed late (in an advanced stage) which precludes curative treatments such as surgery and ablation. Therefore, intra-arterial locoregional treatments now play a central role in the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, such treatments ranging from trans-arterial chemo-embolisation to the more recently developed trans-arterial radio-embolisation technique. In this essay, we discuss the state of the art of intra-arterial treatment for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and the future directions for such treatment.

Resumo O carcinoma hepatocelular é o tumor hepático maligno primário mais frequentemente observado, sendo uma das principais causas de mortalidade mundial. Apesar do advento dos programas de triagem, na maioria dos casos o diagnóstico tardio está associado a um estágio avançado da doença que impede o tratamento curativo, como cirurgia ou ablação. Assim, os tratamentos locorregionais intra-arteriais têm agora um papel central no gerenciamento avançado do carcinoma hepatocelular, passando por quimioembolização transarterial e radioembolização. Neste ensaio, discutimos o estado da arte do tratamento intra-arterial atualmente disponível para o carcinoma hepatocelular localmente avançado e suas direções futuras.