Neoadjuvant in Situ and Systemic Immunotherapy with Lymph Node Cryoablation in Resectable Stage III Melanoma Metastasis: a Proof-of-Concept Study.

PURPOSE: Complete lymph node dissection is the recommended treatment for clinically detectable lymph nodes in stage III melanoma. This surgery is associated with substantial morbidity. We hypothesize that combining percutaneous imaging-guided cryoablation of locoregional lymph nodes metastases with neoadjuvant in situ and systemic immunotherapy could allow disease control and evaluate the feasibility of this combination in this proof-of-concept study. METHODS: We enrolled 15 patients with stage IIIB/IIIC melanoma. Patients were treated as follows: a single 240 mg flat dose infusion of nivolumab on day 1, cryoablation under local anesthesia using CT on day 2, and a single intralesional injection of 10-20 mg of ipilimumab into the lymphadenopathy treated by cryotherapy on day 3. Five-eight weeks after this procedure, complete lymph node dissection was performed according to routine care. The primary outcome measure of this study was feasibility, measured as the number of failures (i.e., inability to complete the entire procedure). RESULTS: The procedure was carried out successfully in 15 out of 15 patients with an observed number of failures of 0. The Bayesian analysis showed an estimated failure rate of 4.2% [0.2-20.6]. Eight patients (53%) had adverse events secondary to either immunotherapy or cryotherapy. Grade 3/4 events occurred in three patients, but all resolved quickly and patients could proceed to surgery as scheduled. Eight patients (53%) had a pathological complete or near complete response. CONCLUSION: Combining percutaneous cryotherapy with in situ ipilimumab and systemic nivolumab for stage III resectable melanoma is feasible with tolerable toxicity.

MR-Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation (TULSA)-An Emerging Minimally Invasive Treatment Option for Localised Prostate Cancer.

The optimal treatment strategy for men with localised prostatic cancer of low and intermediate risk is an actively evolving field. It is important to strike a balance between maximal oncological control and minimal treatment-related complications, which helps preserve the patients' quality of life. MR-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option for this group of patients. This article aims to provide of a background on TULSA technology, a step-by-step procedural guide of MR-guided TULSA and to summarise the current evidence of TULSA in management of localised prostatic cancer, as well as other potential indications.

Interventional management of malignant bone tumours.

In the last few decades, interventional radiology (IR) has significantly increased its role in the management of bone tumours including bone metastases (BM) that represent the most common type of tumour involving the bone. The current IR management of BM is based on the 'palliative-curative' paradigm and relies on the use of consolidative (i.e. osteplasty, osteosynthesis) and/or ablation (i.e. cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, electrochemotherapy) techniques. The present narrative review will overview the current role of IR for the management of BM.

Percutaneous tumor ablation versus image guided robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy for cT1b renal cell carcinoma: a comparative matched-pair analysis (UroCCR 80).

BACKGROUND: Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the gold standard treatment for cT1b renal tumors. Percutaneous guided thermal ablation (TA) has proven oncologic efficacy with low morbidity for the treatment of small renal masses (<3 cm). Recently, 3D image-guided robot-assisted PN (3D-IGRAPN) has been described, and decreased perioperative morbidity compared to standard RAPN has been reported. Our objective was to compare two minimally invasive image-guided nephron-sparing procedures (TA vs. 3D-IGRAPN) for the treatment of cT1b renal cell carcinomas (4.1-7 cm). METHODS: Patients treated with TA and 3D-IGRAPN for cT1b renal cell carcinoma, prospectively included in the UroCCR database (NCT03293563), were pair-matched for tumor size, pathology, and RENAL score. The primary endpoint was the local recurrence rate between the two groups. Secondary endpoints included metastatic evolution, perioperative complications, decrease in renal function, and length of hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients were included and matched into two groups of 72 patients. The local recurrence rate was significantly higher in the TA group than that in the 3D-IGRAPN group (4.2% vs. 15.2%, P=0.04). Metastatic evolution and perioperative outcomes such as major complications, eGFR decrease, and length of hospitalization did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: 3D-IGRAPN resulted in a significantly lower local recurrence rate and comparable rates of complications and metastatic evolution compared with thermal ablation.

Percutaneous Imaging-guided Cryoablation of Endometriosis Scars of the Anterior Abdominal Wall.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of percutaneous imaging-guided cryoablation for the management of anterior abdominal wall endometriosis. DESIGN: Patients with abdominal wall endometriosis underwent percutaneous imaging-guided cryoablation and had a 6-month follow-up. SETTING: Data dealing with patients' and anterior abdominal wall endometriosis (AAWE) characteristics, cryoablation, and clinical and radiologic outcomes were retrospectively collected and analyzed. PATIENTS: Twenty-nine consecutive patients underwent cryoablation from June 2020 to September 2022. INTERVENTIONS: Interventions were performed under US/computed tomography (CT) guidance or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. Cryoprobes were directly inserted into the AAWE, and cryoablation was performed with a single 5 to 10 minute freezing cycle, which was stopped when the iceball expanded 3 to 5 mm beyond AAWE borders as assessed on intra-procedural cross-sectional imaging. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fifteen patients (15/29; 51.7%) had prior endometriosis, 28 (28/29; 95.5%) had previous cesarian section, and 22 (22/29; 75.9%) referred association between symptoms and menses. Cryoablation was performed under local (16/29; 55.2%) or general anesthesia (13/29; 44.8%) and mainly in an out-patient basis (18/20; 62%). There was only one (1/29; 3.5%) minor procedure-related complication. Complete symptom relief was recorded in 62.1% (18/29) and 72.4% (21/29) patients at 1 and 6 months, respectively. In the whole population, pain significantly dropped at 6 months compared to the baseline (1.1 ± 2.3; range 0-8 vs 7.1 ± 1.9; range 3-10; p <.05). Eight (8/29; 27.6%) patients presented residual symptoms at 6 months, and 4 (4/29; 13.8%) had an MRI-confirmed residual/recurring disease. Contrast-enhanced MRI obtained for the first 14 (14/29; 48.3%) patients of the series, all without signs of residual/recurring disease, demonstrated a significantly smaller ablation area compared to the baseline volume of the AAWE (1.0 cm3 ± 1.4; range 0-4.7; vs 11.1 ± 9.9 cm3; range 0.6-36.4; p <.05). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous imaging-guided cryoablation of AAWE is safe and clinically effective in achieving pain relief.

Role of MRI at 1- and 3-Month Follow-up in Predicting the Likelihood of Tumor Recurrence Following Percutaneous Cryoablation of Renal Tumors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether ablation volume difference relatively to tumoral volume, minimal distance between ablation area and necrotic tumor, or apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) within the ablation area, measured on 1- and 3-month follow-up MRI following cryoablation of renal tumors, are associated with tumor recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 136 renal tumors were retrospectively identified. Patients, tumor characteristics and follow-up MRI (1-, 3-, 6-month, and thereafter annually) were collected. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association between the investigated parameters and tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Over the follow-up period (27.7 ± 21.9 months), 13 recurrences were identified at 20.5 ± 19.4 months. At 1- and 3-month, the mean volume difference between the ablation zone and the tumor volume were + 577.5 ± 511.3% vs + 251.4 ± 209.8% (p = 0.003), and + 268.8 ± 291.1% vs + 103.8 ± 94.6% (p = 0.023) in patients without and with tumor recurrence, respectively. At 1- and 3-month, the minimum distance between the necrotic tumor and the edge of the ablation area was 3.4 ± 2.5 vs 1.8 ± 1.9 mm (p = 0.019), and 2.4 ± 2.3 vs 1.4 ± 1.8 mm (p = 0.13) in patients without and with tumor recurrence, respectively. Analysis of ADC values was not associated with tumor recurrence. After performing the multivariate analysis, only volume difference of the ablation area compared to tumor volume was associated with absence of tumor recurrence at 1- (OR = 14.1; p = 0.001) and 3-month (OR = 8.2; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of volume difference between the ablation area and tumor volume on early (≤ 3 months) MRI follow-up identifies patients at risk of tumor recurrence.

MRI- Versus CT-Guided Renal Tumor Cryoablation: Is There a Difference?

PURPOSE: To compare procedure-related variables, safety, renal function, and oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous cryoablation (CA) of renal tumors with MRI- or CT-guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient, tumour, procedure, and follow-up data were collected and analysed. MRI and CT groups were matched using a coarsened exact approach according to patient's gender and age, tumour grade, size and location. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Two-hundred fifty-three patients (266 tumors) were retrospectively selected. Following the coarsened exact matching 46 patients (46 tumors) in the MRI group and 42 patients (42 tumors) in the CT group were matched. There were no significant baseline differences between the two populations except for the duration of follow-up (P = 0.002) and renal function (P = 0.002). On average MRI-guided CA lasted 21 min longer than CT-guided ones (P = 0.005). Following CA, complication rates (6.5% for MRI vs 14.3% for CT; P = 0.30) and GFR decline (mean - 13.1 ± 15.8%; range - 64.5-15.0 for MRI; mean - 8.1 ± 14.8%; range - 52.5-20.4; for CT; P = 0.13) were similar in both groups. The 5-year local progression-free, cancer-specific and overall survivals in the MRI and CT groups were 94.0% (95% CI 86.3%-100.0%) and 90.8% (95% CI 81.3%-100.0%; P = 0.55), 100.0% (95% CI 100.0%-100.0%) and 100.0% (95% CI 100.0%-100.0%; P = 1), and 83.7% (95% CI 64.0%-100.0%) and 76.2% (95% CI 62.0%-93.6%; P = 0.41), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from increased procedural times associated with MRI-guided CA of renal tumors compared to CT-guidance, both modalities demonstrate similar safety, GFR decline and oncologic outcomes.

Radiofrequency Ablation Provides Rapid and Durable Pain Relief for the Palliative Treatment of Lytic Bone Metastases Independent of Radiation Therapy: Final Results from the OsteoCool Tumor Ablation Post-Market Study.

PURPOSE: The OsteoCool Tumor Ablation Post-Market Study (OPuS One) was a prospective, multi-national, single-arm study to investigate safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for palliation of painful lytic bone metastases with 12 months of follow-up. RFA has demonstrated effective palliation of osseous metastases in small clinical studies with short-term follow-up; however, a long-term assessment with robust subject numbers is lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective assessments were conducted at Baseline, 3 days, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12-months. Pain and quality of life were measured prior to RFA and postoperatively using the Brief Pain Inventory, European Quality of Life-5 Dimension, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Care Quality of Life Questionnaire for palliative care. Radiation, chemotherapy and opioid usage, and related adverse events were collected. RESULTS: 206 subjects were treated with RFA at 15 institutions in OPuS One. Worst pain, average pain, pain interference and quality of life significantly improved at all visits starting 3 days post-RFA and sustained to 12 months (P < 0.0001). Post hoc analysis found neither systemic chemotherapy nor local radiation therapy at the index site of RFA influenced worst pain, average pain, or pain interference. Six subjects had device/procedure-related adverse events. CONCLUSION: RFA for lytic metastases provides rapid (within 3 days) and statistically significant pain and quality of life improvements with sustained long-term relief through 12 months and a high degree of safety, independent of radiation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2B, PROSPECTIVE, NON-RANDOMIZED, POST-MARKET STUDY: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A multicenter comparative matched-pair analysis of percutaneous tumor ablation and robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy of T1b renal cell carcinoma (AblatT1b study-UroCCR 80).

OBJECTIVE: Renal cell carcinomas represent the sixth- and tenth-most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and women. Recently, percutaneous-guided thermal ablations have proved to be as effective as partial nephrectomy and safer for treating small renal masses (i.e., < 3 cm). This study compared the perioperative and recurrence outcomes of percutaneous thermal ablation (TA) and robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for the treatment of T1b renal cell carcinomas (4.1-7 cm). METHODS: Retrospective data from 11 centers on the national database, between 2010 and 2020, included 81 patients treated with thermal ablation (TA) and 308 patients treated with RAPN for T1b renal cell carcinoma, collected retrospectively and matched for tumor size, histology results, and the RENAL score. TA included cryoablation and microwave ablation. Endpoints compared the rate between the two groups: local recurrence, metastases, complications, renal function decrease, and length of hospitalization. RESULTS: After matching, 75 patients were included in each group; mean age was 76.6 (± 9) in the TA group and 61.1 (± 12) in the RAPN group, including 69.3% and 76% men respectively. The local recurrence (LR) rate was significantly higher in the TA group than in the PN group (14.6% vs 4%; p = 0.02). The LR rate was 20% (1/5) after microwave ablation, 11.1% (1/9) after radiofrequency ablation, and 14.7% (9/61) after cryoablation. The major complication rate (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3) was higher following PN than after TA (5.3% vs 0%; p < 0.001). Metastases, eGFR decrease, and length of hospitalization did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The local recurrence rate was significantly higher after thermal ablation; however, thermal ablation resulted in significantly lower rates of complications. Thermal ablation and robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy are effective treatments for T1b renal cancer; however, the local recurrence rate was higher after thermal ablation. KEY POINTS: • The local recurrence rate was significantly higher in the thermal ablation group than in the partial nephrectomy group. • The major complication rate (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3) was higher following PN than after TA (5.3% vs. 0%; p < 0.001).

Magnetic Resonance Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging (MR-ARFI) for the monitoring of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in anisotropic tissue.

OBJECTIVE: We introduce a non-invasive MR-Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging (ARFI)-based elastography method that provides both the local shear modulus and temperature maps for the monitoring of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To take tissue anisotropy into account, the local shear modulus µ is determined in selected radial directions around the focal spot by fitting the phase profiles to a linear viscoelastic model, including tissue-specific mechanical relaxation time τ. MR-ARFI was evaluated on a calibrated phantom, then applied to the monitoring of HIFU in a gel phantom, ex vivo and in vivo porcine muscle tissue, in parallel with MR-thermometry. RESULTS: As expected, the shear modulus polar maps reflected the isotropy of phantoms and the anisotropy of muscle. In the HIFU monitoring experiments, both the shear modulus polar map and the thermometry map were updated with every pair of MR-ARFI phase images acquired with opposite MR-ARFI-encoding. The shear modulus was found to decrease (phantom and ex vivo) or increase (in vivo) during heating, before remaining steady during the cooling phase. The mechanical relaxation time, estimated pre- and post-HIFU, was found to vary in muscle tissue. DISCUSSION: MR-ARFI allowed for monitoring of viscoelasticity changes around the HIFU focal spot even in anisotropic muscle tissue.

Emerging Indications for Interventional Oncology: Expert Discussion on New Locoregional Treatments.

Interventional oncology (IO) employs image-guided techniques to perform minimally invasive procedures, providing lower-risk alternatives to many traditional medical and surgical therapies for cancer patients. Since its advent, due to rapidly evolving research development, its role has expanded to encompass the diagnosis and treatment of diseases across multiple body systems. In detail, interventional oncology is expanding its role across a wide spectrum of disease sites, offering a potential cure, control, or palliative care for many types of cancer patients. Due to its widespread use, a comprehensive review of the new indications for locoregional procedures is mandatory. This article summarizes the expert discussion and report from the "MIOLive Meet SIO" (Society of Interventional Oncology) session during the last MIOLive 2022 (Mediterranean Interventional Oncology Live) congress held in Rome, Italy, integrating evidence-reported literature and experience-based perceptions. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated review of the new techniques and devices available for innovative indications not only to residents and fellows but also to colleagues approaching locoregional treatments.

Bone Consolidation: A Practical Guide for the Interventional Radiologist.

In recent years, interventional radiologists have been increasingly involved in the management of bone fractures resulting from benign (osteoporosis and trauma), as well as malignant (tumor-related impending or pathologic fractures) conditions. Interventional techniques used to fix fractures include image-guided osteoplasty, screw-mediated osteosynthesis, or combinations of both. In the present narrative review, we highlight the most common clinical scenarios that may benefit from such interventional techniques with specific focus on spine, pelvic ring, and long bones.

Benign Bone Tumors: State of the Art in Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Interventions.

Painful benign bone tumors most commonly affect pediatric patients and young adults. They may be associated with skeletal-related events such as intractable pain, pathologic fracture, neurologic deficit as a consequence of nerve or spinal cord compression, as well as growth disturbance. Consequently, they often result in diminished activity and adversely affect quality of life. There have been substantial recent advances in percutaneous minimally invasive image-guided interventions for treatment of painful benign bone tumors including thermal ablation (radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, microwave ablation, laser photocoagulation, and high-intensity focused US ablation), chemical (alcohol) ablation, cementoplasty, and intralesional injections. The safety, efficacy, and durability of such interventions have been established in the recent literature and as such, the role of musculoskeletal interventional radiologists in the care of patients with benign bone lesions has substantially expanded. The treatment goal of minimally invasive musculoskeletal interventions in patients with benign bone tumors is to achieve definitive cure. The authors detail the most recent advances and available armamentarium in minimally invasive image-guided percutaneous interventions with curative intent for the management of benign bone tumors. © RSNA, 2022.

Comprehensive Palliative Musculoskeletal Interventional Radiology Care for Patients with Cancer.

Substantial advances in percutaneous image-guided minimally invasive musculoskeletal oncologic interventions offer a robust armamentarium for interventional radiologists for management of cancer. The authors outline the most recent advances in such interventions and the role of interventional radiologists in managing cancer in modern-era practice. Percutaneous minimally invasive musculoskeletal interventions including thermal ablation, cementation with or without osseous reinforcement by implants, osteosynthesis, neurolysis, and embolization, as well as palliative injections, have been successfully used by interventional radiologists to achieve durable, timely, safe, effective palliation in a multidisciplinary setting and have been progressively incorporated into the management paradigm for patients with cancer with musculoskeletal involvement. Familiarity with the described interventions and implementation of procedural safety measures, combined with integration of these procedures into clinical practice with the support of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American College of Radiology, as well as continued technologic advances in procedural equipment design, will further enhance the role of interventional radiologists in cancer management. ©RSNA, 2022.

Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation with temporary balloon occlusion of the renal artery for the treatment of central renal tumors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the technical feasibility and outcomes of percutaneous image-guided cryoablation with temporary balloon occlusion of the renal artery for the treatment of central renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with central renal tumors treated with cryoablation and temporary renal artery occlusion from January 2017 to October 2021 were retrospectively included. Patient demographics, tumor's characteristics, procedural data, technical success, primary and secondary clinical efficacy, complications (according to Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe [CIRSE] classification) and follow-up were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients (8 men, 6 women; mean age 72.4 years ± 21.4 [SD] years; age range: 42-93 years) with 14 central renal tumors (median size, 32 mm; IQR: 23.5, 39.5 mm; range: 13-50 mm) were treated with percutaneous image-guided cryoablation and temporary balloon occlusion of the renal artery. Technical success was 13/14 (93%), with 1/14 (7%) failure of vascular access. A median of 4 cryoprobes (IQR: 3, 4.75) were inserted and protective hydrodissection was performed in 11/14 (79%) patients. Median time to perform cryoprobes insertion, hydrodissection and vascular access was 26.5 min (IQR: 18, 35 min), 10 min (IQR: 10, 17 min) and 30 min (IQR: 20, 45 min) respectively. Median duration of the whole intervention was 150 min (IQR: 129, 180 min; range: 100-270 min). Median hospital stay was 2.5 days (IQR: 2, 4 days; range: 2-14 days). Major complications occurred in 3/14 (21%) patients. Primary efficacy rate was 93% (13/14 patients). Median oncological follow-up was 25 months (IQR: 11, 33 months; range: 6-39 months). One patient experienced renal tumor recurrence at 14-months of follow-up, which was successfully treated with repeat cryoablation. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of renal tumors with temporary balloon occlusion of the renal artery is technically feasible, with a high technical success rate and paths the way for percutaneous treatment of central renal tumors.