CT image guided thermal ablation techniques for palliation of painful bone metastases.

BACKGROUND: Many different treatment methods have been used for pain palliation in patients with bone metastases. The ideal treatment has to be fast, safe, effective and tolerable for the patient. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) as a minimal invasive method of pain palliation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of forty-five patients with painful bone metastases were included in our study (median age 65.43; range, 36-90 years). Thirty patients were treated with RFA and fifteen with MWA, all under CT guidance. Lesion diameter was between 2 and 9 cm (mean ± SD: 3.9±2.6 cm). Pain was assessed in all patients with the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). All procedures were performed under conscious sedation. RFAs were performed with a RITA Model 1500® electrosurgical generator with a seven or a nine-array multitined electrode depending on the lesion's size. MWAs were done with AMICA-GEM microwave generator 2,450 MHz connected to a 14- or 16-gauge coaxial antenna. Technically successful ablation was considered to be when lesions were treated according to protocol and completely covered. After each session a dual-phase spiral CT examination with intravenous contrast medium was performed in order to evaluate immediate response. Patients were hospitalised and observed for 24-hour monitoring. Post-ablation assessment with BPI score and report of the use of analgesics was performed with telephone interview one, four and eight weeks after the ablation. RESULTS: In both groups there was a significant and similar decrease in the mean past day BPI score for worst pain, for average pain and for pain interference during daily life in comparison to preprocedural symptoms (P<0.001, paired t-test), one, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. There was also a marked decrease (3 out of 45 patients, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment) in the use of analgesics. Mean ablation time for MWA was 4.5 minutes, shorter than RFA's mean ablation time that was 9.5 minutes but with the same clinical result. CONCLUSIONS: RFA and MWA appear to be similarly effective for treatment of painful bone metastases. The main difference is that MWA achieves the same clinical result faster but in a more expensive way.

Long-term results after computed-tomography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for small renal tumors.

PURPOSE: To present the long-term results and to identify possible risk factors for recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for renal tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with a total of 39 renal tumors ranging from 1.3 to 7.5 cm (mean size 3.1 cm) were treated with RFA using a Rita Medical System model 1500 RF generator attached to a 15-gauge Starburst XL probe under percutaneous CT scan guidance. The average patient age was 61.4 years (range 37-86 y). Indications for RFA were bilateral tumors, presence of serious comorbidities, a high risk of development of additional renal-cell carcinomas, marginal renal function, and patient preference. No tumor was biopsied before treatment; therefore, only local control success rates could be provided. Recurrence was defined as enhancement or lesion enlargement on follow-up CT scan. Statistical analysis was performed to identify possible risk factors for recurrence. Parameters tested were age, sex, and number of ablation sessions, tumor size, location, multiplicity, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score. RESULTS: Initial ablation success rate was 90% and with repeated treatment, a success rate of complete ablation reached 97%. Average follow-up was 61.2 months (range 36-84 mos). Recurrence was seen in four tumors. The risk factor associated with recurrence was tumor size exceeding 4 cm (P < 0.01, relative risk [RR] = 3.31). Overall 3- and 5-year tumor control rate was 92% and 89%, respectively. Tumor size was also predictive for recurrence in the subgroup of 17 patients followed for more than 5 years (P = 0.02, RR = 3.15). Tumor control rate for this subgroup was 90%. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, larger tumor size was prognostic for recurrence after RFA for renal tumors. This treatment seems to demonstrate excellent tumor control long-term results, comparable to those achieved by nephron-sparing surgery in a selected group of patients.

The use of self-expanding stents in esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer palliation: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of self-expanding stents versus locoregional treatment modalities in the setting of esophageal cancer palliation. METHODS: The present meta-analysis pooled the effects of outcomes of 1,027 patients enrolled in 16 randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed an advantage to the use of stents compared to locoregional modality treatments with respect to the number of patients requiring reinterventions, although the latter treatment arm had a higher 1-year survival. No difference was observed between the use of the antireflux stents and conventional stents in relieving reflux. Previous chemoradiotherapy had no impact on complications, procedural deaths, and overall patient survival. Differences in outcomes among stents were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional self-expanding stents and anti-reflux stents are equally effective. Although the risk difference for 1-year survival favoured locoregional palliative treatment modalities, the latter were associated with a higher number of patients requiring reintervention.

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation in the management of lung tumors: presentation of clinical experience on a series of 35 patients.

PURPOSE: To present our results in a series of 35 patients with malignant pulmonary lesions, who underwent radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) during a period of 18 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our institution, 55 RFA sessions under computed tomography (CT) guidance were performed on 48 pulmonary malignant lesions (23 inoperable primary and 25 metastatic) in 35 patients. RESULTS: Total necrosis was noted in 19 primary (82.6%) and in 19 metastatic lesions (76%). In four primary (17.4%) and in six metastatic lesions (14%), partial necrosis was achieved, and a second RFA session was performed. The 6-month spiral CT follow-up demonstrated recurrence in seven lesions (14.5%) (four primary and three metastatic), which were treated with an additional RFA session. Two of the patients who underwent the procedure died of disseminated disease after one year, accounting for a 1-year survival rate of 94.2%. Mean survival was 14.48 +/- 3.3 months. CONCLUSION: RFA is an effective method for treating unresectable lung carcinoma and lung metastases.

Orthotopic liver transplantation: T-tube or not T-tube? Systematic review and meta-analysis of results.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes after duct-to-duct anastomoses with or without biliary T-tube in orthotopic liver transplantation. METHODS: We pooled the outcomes of 1027 patients undergoing choledocho-choledochostomy with or without T-tube in 9 of 46 screened trials by means of fixed or random effects models. RESULTS: The "without T-tube" and "with T-tube" groups had equivalent outcomes for: anastomotic bile leaks or fistulas, choledocho-jejunostomy revisions, dilatation and stenting, hepatic artery thromboses, retransplantation, and mortality due to biliary complications. The "without T-tube" group had better outcomes when considering "fewer episodes of cholangitis," "fewer episodes of peritonitis," and showed a favorable trend for "overall biliary complications." Although the "with T-tube" group showed superior result for "anastomotic and nonanastomotic strictures," the incidence of interventions was not diminished. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review and meta analysis favor the abandonment of T-tubes in orthotopic liver transplantation.

Corticosteroid-free immunosuppression in liver transplantation: a meta-analysis and meta-regression of outcomes.

To examine the impact of steroid withdrawal from the immunosuppression protocols in liver transplantation. The electronic databases Medline, Embase, Pubmed and the Cochrane Library were searched. Meta-analysis pooled the effects of outcomes of a total of 2590 patients enrolled into 21 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), using classic and modern meta-analytic methods. Meta-analysis of RCTs addressing patients transplanted for any indication showed no differences between corticosteroid-free immunosuppression and steroid-based protocols in most of the analyzed outcomes. More importantly, steroid-free cohorts appeared to benefit in terms of de novo diabetes mellitus development [R.R = 1.86 (1.43, 2.41)], Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection [R.R = 1.47 (0.99, 2.17)], cholesterol levels [WMD = 19.71 (13.7, 25.7)], the number of patients that received the allocated treatment [O.R = 1.55 (1.17, 2.05)], severe acute rejection [R.R = 1.71 (1.14, 2.54)] and overall acute rejection [R.R = 1.31 (1.09, 1.58)] (when steroids were replaced in the steroid-free arm). Taking RCTs into account independently when steroids were not replaced, overall acute rejection was favoring the steroid-based arm [R.R = 0.75 (0.58, 0.98)]. Studies addressing exclusively transplanted HCV patients demonstrated a significant advantage of steroid-free protocols considering HCV recurrence [R.R = 1.15 (1.01, 1.13)], acute graft hepatitis [O.R = 3.15 (1.18, 8.40)], and treatment failure [O.R = 1.87 (1.33, 2.63)]. No unfavorable effects were observed after steroid withdrawal during short-term follow-up. On the contrary, significant advantages were documented.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors in contact with the aorta: dangerous and difficult but efficient: a report of two cases.

Percutaneous imaging-guided tumor ablation is a widely accepted method for the treatment of primary and secondary lung tumors. Although it is generally feasible and effective for local tumor control, some conditions may affect its feasibility and effectiveness. Herein the authors report their experience with two patients with lung malignancies contiguous to the aorta who were successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation, even though it initially appeared highly risky due to the possible fatal complications.

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation of primary and metastatic lung tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Primary lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer. For patients with inoperable lung cancer, percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) under CT-guidance represents a minimally invasive treatment. It can also be applied in combination with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a period of 18 months, RFA under CT-guidance 27 ablations were applied on 22 patients, 14 patients with primary lung cancer and 8 patients with metastatic lung tumor. There were 15 men and 7 women ranging in age between 48 and 79 years. All patients were not surgical candidates either due to the advanced stage or due to comorbid diseases, while five denied surgery. The lesions' size was no bigger than 6 cm (range 1-6 cm) with an average of 3.8 cm. The diagnosis of all treated lesions was obtained with percutaneous biopsy under CT guidance. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia. RESULTS: There were no major complications observed, but a small pneumothorax and a minor hemoptysis in four cases, all conservatively treated. All patients were hospitalized for 24h. Follow-up was initially done in 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after RFA and it was accomplished by personal interview or by telephone call up to December 2005. Median progression free intervals were 26.4 months for primary lung cancer and 29.2 months for metastatic tumor. CONCLUSION: RFA is a minimally invasive technique that can be used as a palliative treatment in nonsurgical candidates with primary or metastatic lung tumor with a low morbidity and mortality.

Freehand two-step CT-guided brain tumor biopsy: a fast and effective interventional procedure in selected patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided needle biopsy of brain lesions without a stereotactic device, and to determine the best possible indications for this technique. METHODS: From February 2001 to February 2004, 20 patients (12 men, 8 women; age 61-82 years) underwent CT-guided brain lesion biopsy. The procedure started with a brain CT scan for lesion localization and for selection of the inlet for needle insertion. The patient was then transported to the operating room where cranioanatrisis was performed. Subsequently, the biopsy was performed under CT guidance using a 14G brain biopsy needle with a blind smooth end and lateral holes. At the end of the biopsy, the field was checked for possible complications with a CT scan. RESULTS: Histopathologic results were: brain tumor in 16 patients (80%), inflammatory process in 3 (15%), and no conclusive diagnosis in 1 (5%). A repeat of the process was required in 2 patients. A minor complication of local hematoma was found in 1 patient (5%). There were no deaths or other serious complications. CONCLUSION: CT-guided biopsy is a reliable method for histopathologic diagnosis of brain lesions in selected cases. It is a simple, fast, effective, low-cost procedure with minimal complications, indicated especially for superficial and large tumors.

Osseous Kaposi sarcoma in an HIV-positive patient.

A case of osseous Kaposi sarcoma in a 35-year-old man is described. The patient (HIV-positive for 8 years) suffered from cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma and presented with right-sided chest pain. He underwent a chest CT scan that revealed three osteolytic lesions involving rib and vertebra with large soft tissue masses, without cutaneous lesions at these sites. CT-guided core needle biopsy led to a histological diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma.