A multicenter case-controlled study on laparoscopic hepatectomy versus microwave ablation as first-line therapy for 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma in patients aged 60 and older.

BACKGROUND: There is currently a lack of convincing evidence for microwave ablation (MWA) and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for patients ≥60 years old with 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were divided into three cohorts based on restricted cubic spline analysis: 60-64, 65-72, and ≥73 years. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the baseline variables in a 1:1 ratio. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed, followed by a comparison of complications, hospitalization, and cost. RESULTS: Among 672 patients, the median age was 66 (IQR 62-71) years. After PSM, two groups of 210 patients each were selected. During the 36.0 (20.4-52.4) month follow-up period, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates in the MWA group were 97.6, 80.9, and 65.3% and 95.5, 78.7, and 60.4% in the LLR group (HR 0.98, P =0.900). The corresponding DFS rates were 78.6, 49.6, and 37.5% and 82.8, 67.8, and 52.9% (HR 1.52, P =0.007). The 60-64 age cohort involved 176 patients, with no a significant difference in OS between the MWA and LLR groups (HR 1.25, P =0.370), MWA was associated with a higher recurrence rate (HR 1.94, P =0.004). A total of 146 patients were matched in the 65-72 age cohort, with no significant differences in OS and DFS between the two groups (OS (HR 1.04, P =0.900), DFS (HR 1.56, P =0.110)). In 76 patients aged ≥73 years after PSM, MWA provided better OS for patients (HR 0.27, P =0.015), and there were no significant differences in DFS between the two groups (HR 1.41, P =0.380). Taken together, for patients older than 65 years, the recurrence rate of MWA was comparable with LLR. Safety analysis indicated that LLR was associated with more postoperative bleeding ( P =0.032) and hypoproteinemia ( P =0.024). CONCLUSIONS: MWA was comparable to LLR in patients aged 65 years and older. MWA could be an alternative for the oldest old or the ill patients who cannot afford LLR, while LLR is still the first option of treatments for early-stage 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma in capable elderly's.

Microwave ablation versus liver resection for primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma within Milan criteria: a long-term multicenter cohort study.

Background: Ablation has been recommended by worldwide guidelines as first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while evidence regarding its efficacy for primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is lacking. We aimed to study the efficacy of ablation in treating iCCA by comparing its prognosis with surgery. Methods: In this real-world multicenter cohort study from January 2009 to June 2022, 10,441 iCCA patients from ten tertiary hospitals were identified. Patients who underwent curative-intent microwave ablation (MWA) or liver resection (LR) for tumors within Milan criteria were included. One-to-many propensity score matching (PSM) at variable ratios (1:n ≤4) was used to balance baseline characteristics. Mediation analysis was applied to identify potential mediators of the survival difference. Findings: 944 patients were finally enrolled in this study, with 221 undergoing MWA and 723 undergoing LR. After PSM, 203 patients in the MWA group were matched with 588 patients in the LR group. The median follow-up time was 4.7 years. Compared with LR, MWA demonstrated similar overall survival (5-year 44.8% versus 40.4%; HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.71-1.29, P = .761). There was an improvement in the 5-year disease-free survival rate for MWA from 17.1% during the period of 2009-2016 to 37.3% during 2017-2022, becoming comparable to the 40.8% of LR (P = .129). The proportion of ablative margins ≥5 mm increased from 25% to 61% over the two periods, while this proportion of surgical margins was 62% and 77%, respectively. 34.5% of DFS disparity can be explained by the mediation effect of margins (P < .0001). Similar DFS was observed when both ablative and surgical margins exceeded 5 mm (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.52-1.32, P = .41). Interpretation: MWA may be considered as a viable alternative to LR for iCCA within Milan criteria when an adequate margin can be obtained. Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation versus surgery for solitary T1bN0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma: a prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Microwave ablation (MWA) has emerged as a minimally invasive technology for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), but it has not been widely applied to treat T1bN0M0 PTC with high-level evidence. This study was designed to compare the real-world efficacy and safety of MWA or surgery for treating T1bN0M0 PTC. METHODS: From December 2019 to April 2021, 123 continuous unifocal T1bN0M0 PTC patients without lymph node metastasis (LNM) or distant metastasis (DM) were included from 10 hospitals. Patients were allocated into the MWA or surgery group based on their willingness. The main outcomes were local tumour progression (LTP), new thyroid cancer, LNM, and DM. The secondary outcomes included changes in tumour size and volume, complications, and cosmetic results. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify influencing factors. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients chose MWA, and 71 patients chose surgery. Patients had similar demographic information and tumour characteristics in the two groups. The follow-up durations after MWA and surgery were 10.6 ± 4.2 and 10.4 ± 3.4 months, respectively. The LNM rate was 5.8% in the MWA group and 1.4% in the surgery group (p = 0.177). No LTP, new thyroid cancer, or distant metastasis (DM) occurred in either group. Five (9.6%) of the 52 patients in the MWA group and 8 (11.3%) of the 71 patients in the surgery group had complications (p = 0.27). Better cosmetic results were found in the MWA group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: MWA achieved comparable short-term treatment efficacy with surgery. MWA might be an optional choice for surgery for low-risk T1bN0M0 PTC but concerns about LNM need to be studied further. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: MWA achieved comparable short-time treatment efficacy with surgery. MWA might be an optional choice for surgery for low-risk T1bN0M0 PTC. KEY POINTS: • MWA achieved comparable short-term treatment efficacy with surgery. MWA might be an optional choice for surgery for low-risk T1bN0M0 PTC but concerns about LNM need to be studied further. • The complication rate in the surgery group was higher than that in the MWA group without a significant difference. • There was no statistically significant difference in the LNM rate between the MWA and surgery groups.

Contrast Enhancement Ultrasound Improves Diagnostic Accuracy for Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Objective: To evaluate potential improvements in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules when conventional ultrasound (US) is combined with contrast-enhanced US (CEUS). Methods: We recruited 515 participants with 323 malignant and 192 benign nodules, who underwent both US and CEUS examinations at 8 different medical centers in China between October 2020 and October 2021. We assessed the malignancy of thyroid nodules in US using the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS). Diagnostic criteria for US and US + CEUS were developed by investigators based on evaluations of sonographic features. Using multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, we compared diagnostic performance between the 2 methods based on criteria identified by investigators and via statistical models. Results: On the basis of diagnostic criteria identified by investigators, we measured statistically significant differences in area under the curve (AUC) values between ACR TIRADS (0.83) and CEUS TIRADS (0.87; P < .001). On the basis of diagnostic regression models, we found statistically significant differences in AUC values between US (0.76) and US + CEUS (0.84; P = .001). Models based on US + CEUS outperformed those based on US alone (Akaike information criterion of 347.7 and significant improvement in integrated discrimination). These results were confirmed by similar analyses applied to a validation cohort. Conclusion: The accuracy of conventional US for differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules can be improved by combining this approach with CEUS.

Radiomics Based on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Images for Diagnosis of Pancreatic Serous Cystadenoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to develop and validate a radiomics model by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) data for pre-operative differential diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs), especially pancreatic serous cystadenoma (SCA). METHODS: Patients with pathologically confirmed PCNs who underwent CEUS examination at Chinese PLA hospital from May 2015 to August 2022 were retrospectively collected. Radiomic features were extracted from the regions of interest, which were obtained based on CEUS images. A support vector machine algorithm was used to construct a radiomics model. Moreover, based on the CEUS image features, the CEUS and the combined models were constructed using logistic regression. The performance and clinical utility of the optimal model were evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and decision curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were randomly split into the training (n = 79) and test cohorts (n = 34). These patients were pathologically diagnosed with SCA, mucinous cystadenoma, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and solid-pseudopapillary tumor. The radiomics model achieved an AUC of 0.875 and 0.862 in the training and test cohorts, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the radiomics model were 81.5% and 86.5% in the training cohort and 81.8% and 91.3% in the test cohort, respectively, which were higher than or comparable with that of the CEUS model and the combined model. CONCLUSION: The radiomics model based on CEUS images had a favorable differential diagnostic performance in distinguishing SCA from other PCNs, which may be beneficial for the exploration of personalized management strategies.

Ultrasound identification of hepatic echinococcosis using a deep convolutional neural network model in China: a retrospective, large-scale, multicentre, diagnostic accuracy study.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography is the most widely used technique to diagnose echinococcosis; however, challenges in using this technique and the demand on medical resources, especially in low-income or remote areas, can delay diagnosis. We aimed to develop a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) model based on ultrasonography to identify echinococcosis and its types, especially alveolar echinococcosis. METHODS: This retrospective, large-scale, multicentre study used ultrasound images from patients assessed at 84 hospitals in China, obtained between Jan 1, 2002, and Dec 31, 2021. Patients with a diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis, alveolar echinococcosis, or seven other types of focal liver lesions were included. We tested ResNet-50, ResNext-50, and VGG-16 as the backbone network architecture for a classification DCNN model and input the perinodular information from the ultrasound images. We trained and validated the DCNN model to diagnose and classify echinococcosis using still greyscale ultrasound images of focal liver lesions in four stages: differentiating between echinococcosis and other focal liver lesions (stage one); differentiating cystic echinococcosis, alveolar echinococcosis, and other focal liver lesions (stage two); differentiating cystic echinococcosis, alveolar echinococcosis, benign other focal liver lesions, and malignant focal liver lesions (stage three); and differentiating between active and transitional cystic echinococcosis and inactive cystic echinococcosis (stage four). We then tested the algorithm on internal, external, and prospective test datasets. The performance of DCNN was also compared with that of 12 radiologists recruited between Jan 15, 2022, and Jan 28, 2022, from Qinghai, Xinjiang, Anhui, Henan, Xizang, and Beijing, China, with different levels of diagnostic experience for echinococcosis and other focal liver lesions in a subset of ultrasound data that were randomly chosen from the prospective test dataset. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03871140). FINDINGS: The study took place between Jan 1, 2002, and Dec 31, 2021. In total, to train and test the DCNN model, we used 9631 liver ultrasound images from 6784 patients (2819 [41·7%] female patients and 3943 [58·3%] male patients) from 87 Chinese hospitals. The DCNN model was trained with 6328 images, internally validated with 984 images, and tested with 2319 images. The ResNet-50 network architecture outperformed VGG-16 and ResNext-50 and was generalisable, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) of 0·982 (95% CI 0·960-0·994), 0·984 (0·972-0·992), and 0·913 (0·886-0·935) in distinguishing echinococcosis from other focal liver lesions; 0·986 (0·966-0·996), 0·962 (0·946-0·975), and 0·900 (0·872-0·924) in distinguishing alveolar echinococcosis from cystic echinococcosis and other focal liver lesions; and 0·974 (0·818-1·000), 0·956 (0·875-0·991), and 0·944 (0·844-0·988) in distinguishing active and transitional cystic echinococcosis from inactive echinococcosis in the three test datasets. Specifically, in patients with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus, the model could distinguish alveolar echinococcosis from hepatocellular carcinoma with an AUC of 0·892 (0·812-0·946). In identifying echinococcosis, the model showed significantly better performance compared with senior radiologists from a high-endemicity area (AUC 0·942 [0·904-0·967] vs 0·844 [0·820-0·866]; p=0·027) and improved the diagnostic ability of junior, attending, and senior radiologists before and after assistance with AI with comparison of AUCs of 0·743 (0·714-0·770) versus 0·850 (0·826-0·871); p<0·0001, 0·808 (0·782-0·832) versus 0·886 (0·864-0·905); p<0·0001, and 0·844 (0·820-0·866) versus 0·870 (0·847-0·890); p=0·092, respectively. INTERPRETATION: The DCNN model was shown to be accurate and robust, and could improve the ultrasound diagnostic ability of radiologists for echinococcosis and its types for highly endemic and remote regions. FUNDING: National Natural Science Foundation of China and National Key Research & Development Program of China. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Nomogram based on Sonazoid contrast-enhanced ultrasound to differentiate intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model based on Sonazoid contrast-enhanced ultrasound (SCEUS) and clinical features to discriminate poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (P-HCC) from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Forty-one ICC and forty-nine P-HCC patients were enrolled in this study. The CEUS LI-RADS category was assigned according to CEUS LI-RADS version 2017. Based on SCEUS and clinical features, a predicated model was established. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and LASSO logistic regression were used to identify the most valuable features, 400 times repeated 3-fold cross-validation was performed on the nomogram model and the model performance was determined by its discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression and LASSO logistic regression indicated that age (> 51 y), viral hepatitis (No), AFP level (≤  20 µg/L), washout time (≤  45 s), and enhancement level in the Kupffer phase (Defect) were valuable predictors related to ICC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) of the nomogram was 0.930 (95% CI: 0.856-0.973), much higher than the subjective assessment by the sonographers and CEUS LI-RADS categories. The calibration curve showed that the predicted incidence was more consistent with the actual incidence of ICC, and 400 times repeated 3-fold cross-validation revealed good discrimination with a mean AUC of 0.851. Decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram could increase the net benefit for patients. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram based on SCEUS and clinical features can effectively differentiate P-HCC from ICC.

[Photochemical Mechanism and Control Strategy Optimization for Summertime Ozone Pollution in an Industrial City in the North China Plain].

To investigate the characteristics and formation mechanism of ozone (O3) pollution in an industrial city, an extensive one-month field campaign focusing on O3 and its precursors (e.g., volatile organic compounds[VOC] and nitrogen oxides[NOx]) was conducted in Zibo City, a highly industrializd city in the North China Plain, in June 2021. The 0-D box model incorporating the latest explicit chemical mechanism (MCMv3.3.1) was applied using an observation dataset (e.g., VOC, NOx, HONO, and PAN) as model contraints to explore the optimal reduction strategy for O3 and its precursors. The results showed that ① during high-O3 episodes, stagnant weather conditions with high temperature and solar radiation as well as low relative humidity were observed, and oxygenated VOCs and alkenes from anthropogenic VOCs contributed the most to the total ozone formation potential and OH reactivity (k·OH). ② The in-situ O3 variation was primarily affected by local photochemical production and export process horizontal to downwind areas or vertical to the upper layer. The reduction in local emissions was essential to alleviate O3 pollution in this region. ③ During high-O3 episodes, high concentrations of ·OH (10×106 cm-3) and HO2· (14×108 cm-3) radical drove and generated a high O3 production rate (daytime peak value reached 36×10-9 h-1). The reaction pathways of HO2·+NO and ·OH+NO2 contributed the most to the in-situ gross Ox photochemical production (63%) and photochemical destruction (50%), respectively. ④ Compared to those during low-O3 episodes, the photochemical regimes during high-O3 episodes were more inclined to be considered as the NOx-limited regime. Detailed mechanism modeling based on multiple scenarios further suggested that the synergic emission reduction strategy of NOx and VOC, while focusing on NOx emission alleviation, would be practical options for controlling local O3 pollutions. This method could also provide policy-related guidance for the precise O3 pollution prevention and control in other industrialized Chinese cities.

Analysis of Sonazoid contrast-enhanced ultrasound for predicting the risk of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of Sonazoid contrast-enhanced ultrasound (SNZ-CEUS) as an imaging biomarker for preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: From August 2020 to March 2021, we conducted a prospective multicenter study on the clinical application of Sonazoid in liver tumor; a MVI prediction model was developed and validated by integrating clinical and imaging variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to establish the MVI prediction model; three models were developed: a clinical model, a SNZ-CEUS model, and a combined model and conduct external validation. We conducted subgroup analysis to investigate the performance of the SNZ-CEUS model in non-invasive prediction of MVI. RESULTS: Overall, 211 patients were evaluated. All patients were split into derivation (n = 170) and external validation (n = 41) cohorts. Patients who had MVI accounted for 89 of 211 (42.2%) patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (> 49.2 mm), pathology differentiation, arterial phase heterogeneous enhancement pattern, non-single nodular gross morphology, washout time (< 90 s), and gray value ratio (≤ 0.50) were significantly associated with MVI. Combining these factors, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of the combined model in the derivation and external validation cohorts was 0.859 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.803-0.914) and 0.812 (95% CI: 0.691-0.915), respectively. In subgroup analysis, the AUROC of the SNZ-CEUS model in diameter ≤ 30 mm and ˃ 30 mm cohorts were 0.819 (95% CI: 0.698-0.941) and 0.747 (95% CI: 0.670-0.824). CONCLUSIONS: Our model predicted the risk of MVI in HCC patients with high accuracy preoperatively. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Sonazoid, a novel second-generation ultrasound contrast agent, can accumulate in the endothelial network and form a unique Kupffer phase in liver imaging. The preoperative non-invasive prediction model based on Sonazoid for MVI is helpful for clinicians to make individualized treatment decisions. KEY POINTS: • This is the first prospective multicenter study to analyze the possibility of SNZ-CEUS preoperatively predicting MVI. • The model established by combining SNZ-CEUS image features and clinical features has high predictive performance in both derivation cohort and external validation cohort. • The findings can help clinicians predict MVI in HCC patients before surgery and provide a basis for optimizing surgical management and monitoring strategies for HCC patients.

Microwave Ablation for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma with and without US-detected Capsule Invasion: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Background Microwave ablation (MWA) has achieved favorable results in the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) confined in glandular parenchyma. However, studies on the outcome of MWA for PTMC with US-detected capsular invasion remain unclarified in the literature. Purpose To compare the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of MWA in the treatment of PTMC with and without US-detected capsular invasion. Materials and Methods Participants from 12 hospitals with a PTMC maximal diameter of 1 cm or less without US- or CT-detected lymph node metastasis (LNM) who planned to undergo MWA were enrolled in this prospective study between December 2019 and April 2021. All tumors were evaluated with preoperative US and were divided into those with and those without capsular invasion. The participants were observed until July 1, 2022. The primary end points, including technical success and disease progression, and the secondary end points, including treatment parameters, complications, and tumor shrinkage during follow-up, were compared between the two groups, and multivariable regression was performed. Results After exclusion, 461 participants (mean age, 43 years ± 11 [SD]; 337 women) were included: 83 with and 378 without capsular invasion. After one participant with capsular invasion aborted MWA because of technical failure, 82 participants with and 378 participants without capsular invasion (mean tumor volume, 0.1 mL ± 0.1 vs 0.1 mL ± 0.1; P = .07) were analyzed with a mean follow-up period of 20 months ± 4 (range, 12-25 months) and 21 months ± 4 (range, 11-26 months), respectively. In those with and those without capsular invasion, comparable technical success rates were achieved (99% [82 of 83] vs 100% [378 of 378], P = .18), with one and 11 complications, respectively (1% [one of 82] vs 3% [11 of 378], P = .38). There was no evidence of differences in disease progression (2% [one of 82] vs 1% [four of 378]; P = .82) or tumor shrinkage (mean, 97% ± 8 [SD] vs 96% ± 13; P = .58). Conclusion Microwave ablation was feasible in the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with US-detected capsular invasion and showed comparable short-term efficacy with or without the presence of capsular invasion. © RSNA, 2023 Clinical trial registration no. NCT04197960 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Restoration of Sinusoid Fenestrae Followed by Targeted Nanoassembly Delivery of an Anti-Fibrotic Agent Improves Treatment Efficacy in Liver Fibrosis.

During the onset of liver fibrosis, capillarized liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) limit substance exchange between the blood and the Disse space, further accelerating hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation and fibrosis progression. Limited accessibility of therapeutics to the Disse space is often overlooked and remains a major bottleneck for HSCs-targeted therapy in liver fibrosis. Here, an integrated systemic strategy for liver fibrosis treatment is reported, utilizing pretreatment with the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, riociguat, followed by insulin growth factor 2 receptor-mediated targeted delivery of the anti-fibrosis agent, JQ1, via peptide-nanoparticles (IGNP-JQ1). The riociguat reversed the liver sinusoid capillarization to maintain a relatively normal LSECs porosity, thus facilitating the transport of IGNP-JQ1 through the liver sinusoid endothelium wall and enhancing the accumulation of IGNP-JQ1 in the Disse space. IGNP-JQ1 is then selectively taken up by activated HSCs, inhibiting their proliferation and decreasing collagen deposition in the liver. The combined strategy results in significant fibrosis resolution in carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrotic mice as well as methionine-choline-deficient-diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mice. The work highlights the key role of LSECs in therapeutics transport through the liver sinusoid. The strategy of restoring LSECs fenestrae by riociguat represents a promising approach for liver fibrosis treatment.

Microwave Ablation for Refractory Giant Maxillofacial Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report.

Maxillofacial arteriovenous malformation located in the sensitive parts of the nose and lips has been an arduous challenge for doctors to meet a balance between resection and aesthetics in one time. In this report, one patient with a giant arteriovenous malformation covering the forehead, the nose, the lip, and bilateral cheeks and resulting in the appearance of the face like a lion's face, can not meet satisfactory outcomes by other therapeutic methods. We successfully reduced the size of vascular lesion using low-power and short-duration microwave ablation under real-time ultrasound guidance. In the two-year follow-up, the patient's face almost recovered to normality. Microwave ablation is expected to be a new alternative therapy for the treatment of maxillofacial arteriovenous malformations. Laryngoscope, 133:2984-2987, 2023.

Microwave ablation vs. surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma with minimal sonographic extrathyroid extension: a multicentre prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Minimal extrathyroid extension (mETE) was removed from the TNM staging system. This study was designed prospectively to compare the safety and efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) versus surgery for treating T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) with sonographically detected mETE. METHODS: From December 2019 to April 2021, 198 patients with T1N0M0 mETE-PTCs evaluated by preoperative ultrasound from 10 hospitals were included. Ninety-two patients elected MWA, and 106 patients elected surgery for treatment. MWA was performed using extensive ablation with hydrodissection. Surgery consisted of lobectomy with ipsilateral central lymph node dissection (CLD), lobe and isthmus excision with ipsilateral CLD and total thyroidectomy with ipsilateral CLD. The rates of technical success, cost, oncologic outcomes, complications and quality of life of the two groups were assessed. RESULTS: The follow-up times for the MWA and surgery groups were 12.7 ± 4.1 and 12.6 ± 5.0 months, respectively. The technical success rate was 100% for both groups. Oncological outcomes of the two groups were similar during the follow-up (all p > 0.05). The MWA group had a shorter operation time, less blood loss and lower costs (all p < 0.001). Three complications (3.3%) were reported in the MWA group and 4 (3.8%) in the surgery group (p = 0.846). The surgery group had higher scores for scar problems and anxiety (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Microwave ablation was comparable in the short term to surgery in terms of treatment safety and efficacy in selected patients with T1N0M0 mETE-PTC detected by ultrasound. KEY POINTS: • Microwave ablation is comparable to surgery in the safety and short-term efficacy for PTCs with sonographically detected mETE. • Thermal ablation is technically feasible for mETE-PTC treatment. • Patients with mETE-PTC have similar quality of life in the two groups, except for worse scar problems and anxiety in the surgery group.

Learning curve of microwave ablation for liver cancers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate MWA efficacy and safety by cumulative MWA volume and interventional experience. METHOD: 3113 primary liver cancers treated by 7 operators between 2006 and 2018 were studied. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate within-operators effects of increasing cumulative MWA volume per year on major complication, technical efficacy (TE) and local tumor progression (LTP) rates were adjusted for treatment-level characteristics. Changes were also evaluated by subgroups of tumor size and location. RESULTS: Lower severe complication rate was detected only in higher MWA volume (HR: 0.31, P = 0.02)). TE rates increased with the increase of MWA volume ((100-150 procedures (HR: 0.33, P = 0.00); 150-200 procedures (HR: 0.08, P = 0.00)) per year. Similar results were found in subgroup analysis of interventional experience (5 to < 10 years (HR: 0.10, P = 0.00). MWA volume per year larger than 150 cases could reduce the major complication rate for tumors smaller than 5 cm (HR: 0.21, P = 0.03) and tumors in higher risk location (HR: 0.18, P = 0.03). The increase of MWA volume per year could significantly increase the TE rate in all tumor size, expect for tumors in high-risk location (100-150 procedures (HR:1.12, P = 0.84), 150-200 procedures (HR: 0.14, P = 0.08)). CONCLUSIONS: Early and intensive performance of MWA procedures would reduce major complication rates regardless of tumor size and tumor location, but could not improve TE rate in high-risk locations.

Combination therapy using microwave ablation and d-mannose-chelated iron oxide nanoparticles inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

Despite being a common therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), insufficient thermal ablation can leave behind tumor residues that can cause recurrence. This is believed to augment M2 inflammatory macrophages that usually play a pro-tumorigenic role. To address this problem, we designed d-mannose-chelated iron oxide nanoparticles (man-IONPs) to polarize M2-like macrophages into the antitumor M1 phenotype. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that man-IONPs specifically targeted M2-like macrophages and accumulated in peri-ablation zones after macrophage infiltration was augmented under insufficient microwave ablation (MWA). The nanoparticles simultaneously induced polarization of pro-tumorigenic M2 macrophages into antitumor M1 phenotypes, enabling the transformation of the immunosuppressive microenvironment into an immunoactivating one. Post-MWA macrophage polarization exerted robust inhibitory effects on HCC progression in a well-established orthotopic liver cancer mouse model. Thus, combining thermal ablation with man-IONPs can salvage residual tumors after insufficient MWA. These results have strong potential for clinical translation.

A Machine Learning Model Based on Health Records for Predicting Recurrence After Microwave Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background and Aim: Early recurrence (ER) presents a challenge for the survival prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate machine learning (ML) models using clinical data for predicting ER after microwave ablation (MWA). Methods: Between August 2005 and December 2019, 1574 patients with early-stage HCC underwent MWA at four hospitals were reviewed. Then, 36 clinical data points per patient were collected, and the patients were assigned to the training, internal, and external validation set. Apart from traditional logistic regression (LR), three ML models-random forest, support vector machine, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost)-were built and validated for their predictive ability with the area under ROC curve (AUC). Algorithms such as SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME) were used to realize their interpretability. Results: The three ML models all outperformed LR (P < 0.001 for all) in predictive ability. When nine variables (tumor number, platelet, α-fetoprotein, comorbidity score, white blood cell, cholinesterase, prothrombin time, neutrophils, and etiology) were extracted simultaneously using recursive feature elimination with cross-validation, the XGBoost model achieved the best discrimination among all models, with an AUC value 0.75 (95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.72-0.78) in the training set, 0.74 (95% CI: 0.69-0.80) in the internal validation set, and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.70-0.82) in the external validation set, and it was interpreted depending on the visualization of risk factors by the SHAP and LIME algorithms. The predictive system of post-ablation recurrence risk stratification was provided on online (http://114.251.235.51:8001/) based on XGboost analysis. Conclusion: The XGBoost model based on clinical data can effectively predict ER risk after MWA, which can contribute to surveillance, prevention, and treatment strategies for HCC.

Physical & Chemical Microwave Ablation (MWA) Enabled by Nonionic MWA Nanosensitizers Repress Incomplete MWA-Arised Liver Tumor Recurrence.

Ionic liquid (IL)-loaded or metal ions-enriched nanoparticles have been witnessed to assist microwave ablation (MWA) and heighten heat utilization for tumor treatment, which, however, inevitably brings about cell dys-homeostasis and severely endangers normal cells or tissues. In this report, a nonionic MWA sensitizer that encapsulates ethyl formate (EF) and doxorubicin (DOX) in liposomes (EF-DOX-Lips) was constructed to reinforce MWA and combined therapy against incomplete MWA-induced tumor recurrence. EF in EF-DOX-Lips as the nonionic liquid can perform like IL to accelerate energy transformation from electromagnetic energy to heat for strengthening MWA. More significantly, EF metabolite, that is, ethanol, also enables chemical ablation, which further enhances MWA. As well, the EF gasification-enhanced lipid rupture and cavitation can promote DOX delivery into a liver tumor for magnifying MWA & chemotherapy combined therapy. By virtue of these contributions, this nonionic MWA nanosensitizer exerts robust antitumor effects to inhibit tumor proliferation and angiogenesis for repressing tumor growth and recurrence or metastasis via downregulating the Epha2 gene and unconventional PI3K/Akt & MAPK signal pathways that the incomplete MWA activated, which provides an avenue to elevate an MWA-based antitumor outcome.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features predict the prognosis of percutaneous microwave ablation of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic effect of pre-operative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) after percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA). METHODS: A total of ICC 29 patients (average age 56.34 ± 9.78 years old, 33~75 years old) underwent MWA from March 2012 to December 2020, with a total of 58 lesions (0.5-8.1 cm, mean diameter, 2.68 ± 1.59 cm), and their pre-operative CEUS images and clinical data were collected and reviewed. Survival rate, local progression rate, intra- and extrahepatic metastasis rate were evaluated. Uni- and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the prognostic factors affecting the survival of ICC patients with pre-operative CEUS features. RESULTS: The median follow-up time after MWA was 18.43 months (4.17-93.13 months). 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 64.4%, 48.1% and 48.1%; 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, 36-, 48-, and 60-month local progress and extrahepatic metastasis rates were 0.0%, 4.0%, 17.7%, 17.7%, 17.7%, 17.7%, 17.7% and 3.4%, 21.5%, 32.7%, 45.6%, 55.2%, 55.2% and 77.6%, respectively. Uni- and multivariate analysis showed that post-operative extrahepatic metastasis was an important factor for long-term survival of ICC patients after MWA (p = 0.006, 0.01), and Rim-enhancement feature of pre-operative CEUS was identified as an independent predictor of post-operative extrahepatic metastasis and long-term survival (p = 0.02, 0.02). CONCLUSION: Rim-enhancement feature of pre-operative CEUS is a predictor high post-operative extrahepatic metastasis and poor prognosis through distant microvascular metastasis after MWA of ICC patients. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study determined the important CEUS features of ICC and analyzed their impact on the prognosis of ICC patients after MWA, providing scientific guidance for better clinical treatment in the future.

CEUS Versus MRI in Evaluation of the Effect of Microwave Ablation of Breast Cancer.

Percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) is a new minimally invasive technique for breast cancer treatment. The aim of this research was to compare the differences in performance between contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with respect to the curative effect of MWA in the treatment of breast cancer. Between 2015 and 2019, 26 patients with breast cancer underwent ultrasound-guided MWA. All patients underwent both CEUS and MRI within 3 d after ablation. If either of the two imaging modalities revealed suspicious enhancement of the ablation zone and the ultrasound-guided biopsy confirmed residual tumor in the suspicious area, supplementary MWA was applied. The diagnostic efficacy of CEUS and MRI within 3 d after ablation was evaluated based on a >6-mo follow-up of 26 patients. Two cases were diagnosed with residual tumors by ultrasound that were missed by MRI. Three cases were diagnosed with residual tumors by MRI that were missed by CEUS. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of CEUS in the diagnosis of complete ablation were 100%, 40%, 87.5%, 100% and 88.5%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of complete ablation were 100%, 60%, 91.3%, 100% and 92.3%, respectively. Within 3 d, both CEUS and MRI can efficiently assess the efficacy of MWA of breast cancer.

Survival benefits analyses of T1a renal cell carcinoma patients treated with microwave ablation.

PURPOSE: The individual decision-making reference of Microwave ablation (MWA) for T1a RCC treatment is not clear, and it may not benefit all the patients equally. Therefore, we quantitatively evaluated the distinct survival benefits of patients with T1a RCC stratified by survival predictors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 237 patients with T1a RCC who underwent MWA over the last 16 years were retrospectively reviewed for survival benefit analysis. Cox proportional hazard models were used to control for the prognostic variables of OS, CSS, and PFS. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank analysis. Linear extrapolation was used to compute median survival periods. RESULTS: The OS benefit was significantly dependent on age (HR:2.499, 95% CI: 1.245-5.016, p = 0.010) and age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score (HR:3.956, 95% CI, 1.409-11.110, p = 0.009). OS in patients aged <75 years or with an age-adjusted CCI score <7 was significantly prolonged (44.68, 65.55 months) compared to OS in patients aged ≥75 years or with CCI score ≥7 (p < 0.001 for both). PFS benefit was significantly dependent on age-adjusted CCI (HR:3.325, 95% CI, 1.390-7.956, p = 0.007), patient type (HR:0.4, 95% CI, 0.214-0.745, p = 0.004), and tumour growth pattern (HR:12.562, 95% CI, 1.552-101.696, p = 0.018). PFS in incipient patients was significantly prolonged (33.75 months) compared to that in the relapsed patients (p = 0.037). Patients with an age-adjusted CCI score <7 or without tumour protruding into the renal pelvis, lived free from recurrence or metastasis (55.69 or 101.61 months) longer than that in patients with an age-adjusted CCI score ≥7 or with tumour protruding into the renal pelvis (p < 0.01 for both). None of the variables was associated with CSS benefit. CONCLUSIONS: The OS and PFS benefits from MWA were not equal for all T1a RCC patients. Age ≥75 years and age-adjusted CCI ≥ 7 significantly shortened OS. Age-adjusted CCI ≥ 7, relapsed RCC, and RCC protruding into the renal pelvis significantly shortened the PFS period. For a better survival prognosis, appropriate patient triage is still needed.