Percutaneous cryotherapy for metastatic bladder cancer: experience with 23 patients.

Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract and in many patients is metastatic at diagnosis. Chemotherapy is the standard treatment for these patients but has serious side effects and in many patients is not tolerated. To avoid the side effects of systemic chemotherapy, patients with late stage bladder cancer have sought cryotherapy in our hospital. We reviewed data for the past 4 years to evaluate the safety and efficiency of percutaneous cryotherapy in 23 patients. Within 3 days after cryosurgery, all complications of bladder cancer (e.g. hematuria, urinary irritation, hypogastralgia, lumbago) had decreased to some degree. No new complications (e.g. bladder perforation) occurred and all complications had disappeared completely after 2 weeks. The progression-free survival (PFS) of these patients was 14 ± 8 months. There was no effect on PFS of tumor location or histopathology; however, differentiation status and tumor size influenced the therapeutic effect of percutaneous cryoablation. In conclusion, percutaneous cryotherapy may be a safe and efficacious therapeutic option in the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer.

Cryoprotective therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: study of 51 patients with a single lesion.

Percutaneous cryoablation is a potentially curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After liver cryosurgery, rapid elevations of transaminases and bilirubin are common, but are usually transient and normalize within a few days. This study retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 51 patients who underwent liver cryoablation in our hospital during the past 4.5 years. Sixty-six percutaneous cryoablations were performed in these patients and transaminase and bilirubin levels before and after the procedure were observed. Although most patients received liver-protective treatment before cryosurgery, transaminase levels were double (mean alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were 71 U/L and 85 U/L, respectively) the normal ranges in our hospital. One day after cryosurgery, ALT and AST had increased 3.3-fold (peak mean was 241 U/L) and 5-fold (peak mean was 427 U/L), respectively, but were close to the preoperative level 5 days post-cryosurgery. No significant increase of serum bilirubin was observed. Serum transaminase and bilirubin levels were compared between hepatitis B positive and hepatitis B negative patients. Only in the hepatitis B positive group were total bilirubin (74 µmol/L/23 µmol/L=3.2) and direct bilirubin (45 µmol/L/12 µmol/L=3.8) more than 3 times the preoperative level 7-9 days after treatment. Overall, ALT and AST are valuable as indicators of liver function impairment following cryosurgery. In patients with hepatitis B virus, serum bilirubin was 3 times the preoperative level 7-9 days after cryosurgery. Liver-protective treatment may alleviate liver function impairment due to cryosurgery.

Treatment of central type lung cancer by combined cryotherapy: experiences of 47 patients.

Most patients with central type lung cancer (CTLC) are not candidates for surgery; systemic chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy are the main treatments but have not greatly affected patient outcome. Combined percutaneous and endobronchial cryotherapy has been used successfully to treat CTLC; this study aimed to determine its feasibility and safety. Forty-seven patients with unresectable CTLC (22 endotracheal, 26 tracheal wall and 21 extratracheal tumors) underwent 69 sessions of combined percutaneous cryosurgery, endobronchial cryosurgery and airway stenting. The long diameter of all tumors was <5 cm. Biopsy showed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 40 patients (medium or well differentiated in 20 cases, poorly differentiated in 20) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in seven. Within 3 days after treatment, ventilatory capacity and performance status had obviously increased and cough, signs of dyspnea, hemoptysis and atelectasis improved significantly, but symptoms of pneumothorax and pleural effusion emerged. After 2 weeks, all complications had disappeared completely, as had cough. Progression-free survival (PFS) for endotracheal tumors (8 ± 4 months) was shorter than that for tracheal wall (13 ± 6 months, P < 0.05) and extratracheal (14 ± 8 months, P < 0.01) tumors. The PFS of NSCLC (11 ± 5 months) was significantly longer than that of SCLC (4 ± 2 months, P < 0.0001). The PFS of medium or well differentiated CTLC (15 ± 8 months) was significantly longer than that of poorly differentiated CTLC (7 ± 3 months, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, combined cryotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for CTLC, with PFS largely influenced by tumor location and pathologic type.

Therapeutic outcomes of combining cryotherapy, chemotherapy and DC-CIK immunotherapy in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Currently there are no effective therapies for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we conducted a retrospective study of 161 patients to evaluate the therapeutic effects of combining cryosurgery, chemotherapy and dendritic cell-activated cytokine-induced killer cells (DC-CIK) immunotherapy. The overall survival (OS) after diagnosis of metastatic NSCLC to patient death was assessed during a 5-years follow-up period. OS of patients who received comprehensive cryotherapy was (median OS, 20 months; n = 86) significantly longer than that of patients who did not received cryotherapy (median OS, 10 months; n = 75; P < 0.0001). Five treatment combinations were selected: chemotherapy (n = 44); chemo-immunotherapy (n = 31); cryo-chemotherapy (n = 32); cryo-immunotherapy (n = 21); and cryo-chemo-immunotherapy (n = 33). A combination of cryotherapy with either chemotherapy or immunotherapy lead to significantly longer OS (18 months and 17 months, respectively) compared to chemotherapy and chemo-immunotherapy (8.5 months and 12 months, respectively; P < 0.001); however, the median OS of patients who underwent cryo-chemo-immunotherapy was significantly longer (27 months) compared to the other treatment programs (P < 0.001). In conclusion, a combination of cryotherapy, chemotherapy and DC-CIK immunotherapy proved the best treatment option for metastatic NSCLC in this group of patients.

Percutaneous comprehensive cryoablation for metastatic esophageal cancer after failure of radical surgery.

Esophageal cancer is common in China. There is a lack of treatment strategies for metastatic esophageal cancer (MEC) after radical surgery on the primary tumor. Cryoablation is an attractive option because tumor necrosis can be safely induced in a minimally invasive manner. This study assessed its therapeutic effect in MEC after failure of radical surgery. One hundred and forty patients met the inclusion criteria from May, 2003 to March, 2011. Comprehensive cryotherapy of multiple metastases was performed on 105 patients; 35 received chemotherapy. No severe complications occurred during or after cryoablation. Overall survival (OS) was assessed according to therapeutic protocol, pathologic type, treatment timing and number of procedures. The OS of patients who received comprehensive cryoablation (44 ± 20 months) was significantly longer than that of those who underwent chemotherapy (23 ± 24 months; P = 0.0006). In the cryotherapy group, the OS for squamous cell carcinoma (45 ± 19 months) was longer than that for adenocarcinoma (33 ± 18 months; P = 0.0435); the OS for timely cryoablation (46 ± 19 months) was longer than that for delayed cryoablation (33 ± 20 months; P = 0.0193); the OS for multiple cryoablation (50 ± 17 months) was longer than that for single cryoablation (37 ± 20 months; P = 0.0172); and the OS for cryo-immunotherapy (56 ± 17 months) was longer than that for cryoablation alone (39 ± 19 months; P = 0.0011). Thus, comprehensive cryotherapy may have advantages over chemotherapy in the treatment of MEC and, in patients with squamous cell carcinoma, supplementary immunotherapy and timely and multiple cryoablation may be associated with a better prognosis.

Alleviating the pain of unresectable hepatic tumors by percutaneous cryoablation: experience in 73 patients.

Pain caused by liver tumors can be alleviated by cryoablation, but little is known about the analgesic effects and duration of pain alleviation. We retrospectively reviewed the changes in the severity of pain before and after percutaneous cryoablation of hepatic tumors. Each patient enrolled in this study had a single hepatic tumor; patients with large tumors (major diameter, P5 cm) underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) first and then cryoablation. Severe abdominal pain that was not controlled with long-lasting oral analgesics was treated with opioid injections. In all 73 study patients, severe abdominal pain was gradually eased 5 days after cryosurgery, completely disappeared after 15 days and did not recur for more than 8 weeks. There were no differences in analgesic effects between patients with hepatocellular carcinomas and those with liver metastasis (P > 0.05). The patients were divided into four groups depending on their pain outcomes: (i) immediate relief (n = 6), severe abdominalgia was no longer present after cryosurgery; (ii) delayed relief (n = 11), severe abdominalgia disappeared gradually within 15 days after the cryosurgery; (iii) always pain-free (n = 39), severe abdominalgia was not present before or after treatment; and (iv) new pain (n = 17), abdominalgia developed after treatment and disappeared within 15 days. In summary, percutaneous cryoablation of hepatic tumors caused short-term pain in some patients, but this pain disappeared within 15 days. Moreover, the pain-relieving effect of this treatment was sustained for at least 8 weeks, without severe side effects.

Irreversible electroporation ablation of tumor: an analysis of perioperative complications / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To summarize and analyze the perioperative complications of irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation in treating tumors at different locations and to discuss their managements. Methods A total of 200 patients with tumors, including pancreatic tumor (n=71), liver tumor (n=64) and other tumors (n =65), were enrolled in this study. All patients received IRE ablation treatment. The perioperative complications were recorded and the data were statistically analyzed. The causes of severe complications and the treatment of complications were discussed. Results None of the patients died during the course of IRE ablation procedure. Severe postoperative complications occurred in the patients with pancreatic tumor or liver tumor, including duodenal artery bleeding in 3 patients with pancreatic tumor, which occurred at 10 days, 11 days and 15 days after IRE ablation respectively, and gastrointestinal bleeding (n =1) and biliary septic shock (n=1) in 2 patients with liver tumor, which occurred at 9 days after IRE ablation, the clinical symptoms were controlled after interventional embolization and/or vascular ligation together with anti-infective therapy. All minor complications were relieved after symptomatic treatment within 14 days. Conclusion IRE ablation has less systemic inflammatory response, and both the intraoperative and postoperative adverse reactions can be easily controlled, besides, IRE ablation has higher clinical safety. Although IRE ablation procedure may damage the internal or peripheral vessels of the pancreatic tumor, this severe complications can be effectively avoided if proper measures are adopted based on the causes of complications. (J Intervent Radiol, 2018, 27: 223-227)

Clinical application of MR diffusion-weighted imaging in evaluating the short-term curative effect of cryoablation for pancreatic carcinoma / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To discuss the clinical value of magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MR-DWI) in distinguishing tumor remnants from tumor necrosis of pancreatic carcinoma after cryoablation treatment.Methods Conventional MRI T1WI,T2WI scan,DWI sequence and dynamic enhanced MRI scan were performed in 26 patients with pancreatic carcinoma who were received cryoablation treatment.The changes in MRI signals after cryoablation treatment were recorded.The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the normal pancreas,preoperative tumor tissue,postoperative remnants and necrosis tissue were calculated,and the results were compared.The correlation between the ADC values and the size of the tumor was evaluated,and the differences in ADC values among the tumors that had different diameter,location and staging were statistically analyzed.Results Of the 26 patients,complete necrosis of tumor was obtained in 16.The necrotic tumor tissue displayed low-signal on T1WI,high-signal on T2WI and low-signal on DWI,with no enhancement on dynamic enhanced imaging.Active residual tumor tissue was detected in 9 patients,among them the residual tumor diameter ＞5 cm was seen in 7 patients;the residual rate was 34.6％.ADC values of the following tissue,from low to high in order,were preoperative pancreatic tumor tissue (1.022± 0.126)x10-3 mm2/s,postoperative residual tumor tissue (1.130±0.155)x10-3 mm2/s,normal pancreatic tissue (1.924±-0.124)×10-3 mm2/s and postoperative necrosis tissue (2.312-±0.214)×10-3 mm2/s.No statistically significant difference in ADC values existed between preoperative pancreatic tumor tissue and postoperative residual tumor tissue (P=0.452),while statistically significant difference in ADC values existed between normal pancreatic tissue and postoperative necrosis tissue (P＜0.001).The ADC values of pancreatic tumor tissue bore a negative correlation with the tumor size (R=-0.43,P=0.027 2),while the ADC values lacked the relationship to the tumor location as well as to the tumor staging (P=0.738 8 and P=0.089 5 respectively).Conclusion MR-DWI can effectively distinguish the residual tumor tissue from the necrotic tumor tissue of pancreatic carcinoma after cryoablation treatment,which provides reliable basis for further clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Safety and short-term effect of irreversible electroporation ablation of hepatic neoplasms / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the safety and short?term efficacy of irreversible electroporation (IRE)ablation which is a novel ablation technology in unresectable hepatic neoplasms. Methods Patients with pathologically diagnosed as liver cancer or liver metastases were prospectively enrolled. The patients were not suitable for surgery with PS score ≤ 2. Exclusion criteria included who was not tolerate general anesthesia, severe liver and kidney dysfunction, and with cardiac pacemaker. A total of 16 patients were included in this study. There was 12 males and 4 females, aged 40 to 86 years with mean age (60 ± 10)y. Ultrasound and CT guided percutaneous IRE ablation was performed. Perioperative hemodynamic changes were reviewed. Liver and kindey function before and 7 d after ablation was compare by t test. The adverse reactions within 30 d after ablation treatment were recorded. CT and MR scans within 1 month were performed and the 30 d curative effect was evaluated by the modified RECIST criteria. Results All patients received IRE treatment successfully, and some patients experienced adverse reactions within 30 days after ablation, including abdominal pain in 7 cases, peritoneal effusion in 5 cases, hydrothorax in 4 cases, fever in 3 cases, cough, nausea and vomiting in 2 cases, biliary tract infection and thrombocytopenia in 1 case. After symptomatic treatment, these symptoms were improved. Severe complications, such as massive haemorrhage and bile leakage didn't occur. At 30 days after ablation, the curative effects were evaluated. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 1 patient , partial response (PR) was achieved in 12 patients, stable disease (SD) was in 2 patients , and progressive disease(PD) was 1 patients . The tumor relief rate (complete response+partial response) was 81.3%. Conclusions IRE ablation in the treatment of unresectable hepatic malignant tumor could have many advantages, including high safety, mild adverse reactions, and short?term efficacy. However, its long?term effect still need further observation.

The death way and its mechanisms of pancreatic cancer PANC1 cells induced by pharmacologic ascorbic acid concentrations / 中华胰腺病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the biological effects and its mechanisms of ascorbic acid on pancreatic cancer PANC1 cells. Methods PANC1 cells were treated by ascorbic acid of different concentrations (0 ～40 mmol/L) for 24,48,72 hours.The proliferation of PANC1 cells was analyzed by MTT method; cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry (FCM); inverted microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe cell morphology. The membrane potential of mitochondria were mearured by with JC-1 staining and FCM.Meanwhile,the changes of cell morphology and mitochondrial membrane potential induced by ascorbic acid after pretreatment with hydrogen peroxidescavenging enzyme (catalase) and red blood cells were also detected. Results Ascorbic acid in pharmacologic concentrations selectively inhibited the proliferation of PANC1 cells in a dose and time dependent manner.PANC1 cells were arrested in G2/M phase after treatment with 5 mmol/L ascorbic acid [ (32.55 ± 7.14)％ vs (22.00 ±1.27)％,t =5.808,P＜0.05],but there was no changes on apoptosis rate [ (1.98 ± 1.80)％ vs (1.09 ±0.16)％ ].Inverted microscope and transmission electron microscopy showed that oncosislike cell death of PANC1 cells was induced after treatment with ≥5 mmol/L ascorbic acid.Mitochondrial membrane potential of PANC1 cells was significantly lower than that of the control group in a dose dependent manner.The descent of mitochondrial membrane potential was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with catalase and red blood cells,and the degree of cell oncosis was attenuated.ConclusionsAscorbic acid significantly inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer PANC1 cells in vitro.Ascorbic acid induced PANC1 cell oncosis,but not apoptosis.The possible mechanisms of inducing oncosis may be related to the descent of mitochondrial membrane potential.

A comparison of dual- and triple-freeze protocols for liver cryoablation in a Tibet pig / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective This study compares a dual-freeze protocol with a triple freeze protocol for hepatic cryoablation in the Tibetan pig model.Method Cryoablation with a dual-(10-5-10-5 min)and triple-freeze (5-5-5-5-10-5 min) protocol for the normal livers of 9 Tibet pigs was performed under exposed operation.Temperature changes of cryoprobes and diameter changes of iceballs were measured during the ablation,and seven days later the pathological changes of cryozones were reviewed and the surface and depth cryolesions were measured.Results Compared with cryoablation with two freeze-thaw cycles,there was a greater iceball diameter for cryoablation by three freeze-thaw cycles.Also,seven days after cryosurgery,there were similar surface and deep cryolesions in dual-and triple-freeze protocols.Pathologically,the triple freezing protocol was associated with a longer zone of complete necrosis.Conclusions With the same freezing time (20 min),the triple-freeze protocol may become a more powerful liver-ablation method in cryosurgical application.

Clinical application of percutaneous Trucut needle biopsy for pancreatic tumors / 中华胰腺病杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound or CT guided percutaneous Trucut needle biopsy on the diagnosis of pancreatic tumors.Methods One hundred and twenty-four patients clinically diagnosed as pancreatic cancer without pathological diagnosis underwent percutaneous pancreatic biopsy by using Trucut needle under ultrasound or CT guidance.ResultsOne hundred and nine procedures of ultrasound-guided biopsy and 15 procedures of CT-guided biopsy were performed,and one patient received 2.3times of punctures.Tissue samples were obtained in all 124 patients,the diagnostic accuracy was 95.2％,among them 115 were adenocarcinoma,5 were cystadenoma,2 were metastasis cancer,1 was cancer of unknown origin and 1 was normal.The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were 99.2％ 100％,and 99.2％,respectively.Transient serum amylase increase was observed in 3 patients; 5 patients' abdominal pain aggravated,but all recovered with conservative management.One patient was found to have tumor seeding on the spot of insertion after 34 days.No other major complications occurred.ConclusionsUltrasound or CTguided percutaneous pancreatic 16 ～ 18G Trucut needle biopsy is a safe and simple procedure with excellent diagnostic value for pancreatic cancer.

Feasibility and safety of percutaneous cryoablation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To observe the adverse reaction, tumor response and short term outcomes of percutaneous cryoablation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, and investigate its feasibility. Methods Fifty-nine consecutive patients with locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer underwent percutaneous cryoablation at our hospital from Sept. 2008 to Sept. 2009, were prospectively studied. Percutaneous cryoablation was performed with an argon/helium-based cryosurgical system under the guidance of ultrasound.Freezing probe was inserted into the center of pancreatic mass and two cycles of freezing were performed with each cycle for 5 min and temperature at-160℃, then the temperature was returned to normal for 10 min.Serum amylase was detected before operation and 1 to 7 days postoperatively. CT or PET-CT scanning was performed for evaluation of tumor response every 4 to 6 weeks after cryoablation. Survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results 59 patients had a total of 76 biopsy-proven tumors, which were located at the pancreas head (n = 56), body (n = 7), and tail (n = 13). The median size of tumor was 4.5 cm (range 3 ～6 cm). Nineteen patients had liver metastases. Postoperative abdominal pain occurred in 45 cases (76.3%),fever occurred in 29 cases (49.2%) and elevation of serum amylase occurred in 34 cases (57.6%). Severe complications including intra-abdominal bleeding, pancreatic leaks, ileus, and metastasis by probe tract occurred in 5 cases (8.5%). There was no death associated with cryoablation. The median hospital stay was 21 days. 2 patients (3.4%) achieved complete response, 23 patients (39.0%) achieved partial response,30patients (50.8%) had stable disease, 4 patients(6.8%) had progressive disease. The median survival was 8.4 months. The overall survival at 3, 6 and 12 months was 89.7%, 61.1% and 34.5%, respectively.Conclusions Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoablation appears to be a safe and feasible, minimally invasive technique for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

A "4-force-in-one" business model for private hospitals / 中华医院管理杂志

In an effort to overcome the inherent setbacks of private hospitals in the upcoming healthcare reform, and empower them to build people-benefit hospitals by learning the concept of scientific development, a business model is proposed. This model is designed based on analysis of their development characteristics and in combination of the business specifics, advocating a pool of the guidance force of people-benefit concept, the force of business integrity, that of differentiated competition, and that of self restraint.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with transarterial chemoembolization and percutaneous cryosurgery sequential therapy / 中华消化杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous cryosurgery sequential therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Four hundred and twenty patients with unresectable HCC were divided into sequential TACE-cryosurgery sequential (sequential) group (n=290) and cryosurgery alone (cryoalone) group (n = 130). TACE was performed with the routine operation; the percutaneous cryosurgery was conducted 2 to 4 weeks after TACE. The patients were followed up at the first month and once every 2 to 3 month later. Liver ultrasound or both computer tomography and alpha fetal protein were examined during follow-up. Results During a mean follow-up of (42±17) months (range from 24 to 70 months), the local recurrence rate of ablated lesion was 17% for all the patients, 11% and 24% for patients in sequential group and cryoalone groups respectively (P=0. 001). The overall 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-and 5-year survival rate was 72%, 57%, 47%, 39% and 31%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year survival rates (71% and 61 % ) in sequential group were similar to those (73 % and 54 % ) in cryo-alone group (P=0.69 and 0. 147), while the 4- and 5-year survival rates were higher in sequential group (49 % and 39 % ) than those (29 % and 23 % ) in cryo-alone group (P= 0.001). Eighteen patients with large HCC (＞5 cm in diameter) in sequential group survived for more than 5 years while no one in cryo-alone group. Complication rate was 24% in all patients, 21% and 26% for the sequential and cryo-alone groups respectively (P=0. 06). The incidence of hepatic bleeding was higher in cryo-alone group than in sequential group (P=0. 02). Liver crack occurred in two patients of the cryoalone group. Conclusions Pre-cryosurgical TACE increased the cryoablation efficacy and decrease its complications, especially hepatic bleeding. TACE and cryosurgery sequential therapy may be a better treatment for unresectable HCC, especially for large HCC.

Efficacy and safety of pancreas freezing / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To observe the blood biochemical and histological changes before and after pancreas freezing, to provide evidence for cryosurgery for pancreatic cancer. Methods Fifteen healthy pigs were divided into deep frozen group (n = 5), shallow frozen group (n = 5), non-frozen group (n = 3) and normal group (n = 2). After anesthesia and Iaparotomy, a probe of the Argon-Helium Surgical System was inserted into the pancreas, 100% and 10% argon output power were used in deep and shallow frozen group, respectively;and the temperature were - 130 ～ - 140℃ and - 110 ～ - 120℃, respectively;which results in an ice-ball with 15 ～ 20 mm in diameter. Then helium gas was inputted to increase the temperature to 10 ～ 20℃ for three minutes;then the whole process was repeated. A probe was inserted into the pancreas in the non-frozen group only and only laparotomy was performed in non-grozen group normal group and normal group. Serum amylase, IL-6, CRP levels before and after the experiment was determined;the pigs were sacrificed at day 7 and the pancreas was harvested for light microscope and electron microscope examination. Results The frozen pancreatic tissue became pitchy necrosis zone, and it could be distinguished from non-frozen tissue;there were obvious tissue necrosis in the center and para-center of frozen area, and the ultra-structure were destroyed and disappeared, mitochondria degranulation and rough endoplasmic reticulum degrannlation were observed. Serum amylase was elevated in 13 (86.7%) pigs and most returned to normal at 6th day. Serum IL-6 was slightly elevated in 5 (33.3%) pigs. There was no significant difference among all the groups in term of serum CRP. All the pigs were alive until the time of sacrifice. Conclusions Cryosurgery has affirmative fatal ablative effects on pancreatic tissue, and it is safe with no serious complications.

Clinical significance of liver biopsy for chronic hepatitis B with persistently normal transaminases / 中华消化杂志

Objective The histological features of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with persistently normal serum transaminases has not been will studied. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical significance of liver biopsy for these patients. Methods A total of 452 HBsAg positive patients and clinical course of more than six months undergone percutaneous liver biopsy. All liver biopsy specimens were assessed by experienced liver pathologists blinded to the liver biochemistry and scored according to standard criteria. Results None of patients had normal liver pathology. Patients with elevated serum transaminases had significant higher degree of hepatic necrosis inflammation grade (G) and fibrosis stage (S) compared with pateitns with normal transaminase ( P

Percutaneous cryoablation combined with ethanol injection for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华消化杂志

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous hepatic cryoablation combined with percutaneous ethanol injection(PEI) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) unsuitable for surgical resection. Methods One hundred and five masses in 65 HCC patients underwent percutaneous hepatic cryoablation. The cryoablation was performed using Argon gas as a cryogen in the Cryocare System. Two freeze thaw cycles were performed, each reaching a temperature of -180 ℃ at the tip of the probe. PEI was given 1 or 2 weeks after cryoablation and then once a week for 4 6 weeks in 36 patients with tumor mass larger than 6 cm in diameter. Absolute alcohol(100%) was slowly injected into periphery zone of cancerous tissues in liver. Results During average 16 months follow up duration (ranging 5 to 21 months), 32 patients(49.2%) were alive without tumors, and 22 patients (33.8%) were alive with tumor recurrence: two had bone metastases, three lung metastases and the remaining 17 tumor recurrences in the liver, of whom only 3 developed at a cryoalbation site. Among 41 patients who had been followed up more than one year, there were 32(78%) patients who were alive with or without tumor recurrence. Eight patients (12.3%) died of tumor recurrence. Three patients(4.6%) died of noncancer related causes. Among 43 patients who had undergone CT scan, 38 ( 88.4% ) had a shrinkage of tumor mass. Among 22 patients who had received biopsies of cryoablated tumor mass, all but one biopsy showed necrotic or scar tissues. Serum AFP in 91.3% of the patients whose serum AFP had increased before cryoablation returned to normal or nearly normal levels during postoperative 3 6 months. Complications of cryoablation included liver capsular cracking in one patient, transient thrombocytopenia in 4 patients and asymptomatic right sided pleural effusions in 2 patients. Two patients developed liver abscess at the previous cryoablation sites after postoperative 2 and 4 months respectively and recovered after the treatment with antibiotics and drainage. Conclusions Percutaneous cryoablation may offer a safe and effective option for patients with HCC that cannot be surgically removed.