Role of laser ablation in multimodal treatment of radioiodine- refractory bone metastases of thyroid cancer: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy, safety, and pain benefits of imaging-guided laser ablation (IGLA) in patients with radioiodine-refractory (RR) bone metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The institutional medical records of patients with bone metastases from DTC treated with laser ablation (LA) were reviewed retrospectively. Local response, complications, and effects on pain relief were investigated. RESULTS: Six osteolytic lesions in five patients (one male, four females; mean age 65.4 ± 5.1 years, range 58-72) were treated with IGLA. All lesions were osteolytic and all have had previous treatments with high-dose radioiodine therapy followed by external radiotherapy (EBRT). All patients assumed opioid analgesics for severe pain. Overall, the lesions (mean size 5.8 ± 3.2 cm; median 5.0 cm, range 3.0-12.0 cm) underwent nine IGLA sessions (mean 1.8 ± 0.4 sessions; median 2.0 sessions, range 1-2). In four (80%) out five lesions, cross-sectional imaging showed a nearly complete response (CR) while the largest lesion was ablated by 80%. Pain changes were assessed with the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, that was administered before IGLA and during a 6-month follow-up. Patients experienced significant reduction in worst pain, average pain, and pain interference. Following IGLA, the average daily opioid requirement rapidly and progressively decreased. Treatments were well-tolerated and no major complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: IGLA is an effective and safe debulking procedure and provides significant pain relief in patients suffering from DTC bone metastases that are not responsive to standard treatments. So, IGLA could be considered as part of a multimodality management of advanced thyroid cancer with RR metastatic skeletal involvement.

Laser Ablation Versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Benign Non-Functioning Thyroid Nodules: Six-Month Results of a Randomized, Parallel, Open-Label, Trial (LARA Trial).

Background: No direct prospective studies comparing laser ablation (LA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for debulking benign non-functioning thyroid nodules (BNTNs) exist. We aimed at comparing the efficacy and safety of both techniques in patients with solid or predominantly solid BNTN. Methods: This six-month, single-use, randomized, open-label, parallel trial compared the following primary endpoints between the RFA and LA groups six months after treatment: (i) nodule volume reduction expressed as a percentage of nodule volume at baseline; (ii) proportion of nodules with more than 50% reduction (successful rate). We enrolled subjects with a solitary BNTN or dominant nodule characterized by pressure symptoms/cosmetic problems or patients without symptoms who experienced a volume increase >20% in one year. Nodules underwent core needle biopsy for diagnosis. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive LA or RFA. Safety was assessed in all randomly assigned participants. Results: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive either RFA or LA (1:1) between January 2016 and November 2018. Both groups were similar in basal nodule volume, thyroid function, histology, symptoms/cosmetic score, and procedure time. At six months, the nodule volume reduction was 64.3% (95% confidence interval, CI 57.5-71.2) in the RFA group and 53.2% ([CI 47.2-95.2]; p = 0.02) in the LA group. This effect was also confirmed in the linear regression model adjusted for age, baseline volume, and proportion of cellular component (LA vs. RFA percent change Delta = -12.8, p = 0.02). No significant difference was observed in success rate six months after treatment (RFA vs. LA: 86.7% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.13) or in thyrotropin level between the groups. Although improved, no significant difference was observed between RFA and LA for compressive symptoms (RFA: 2.13 vs. 3.9, p < 0 · 001; LA: 2.4 vs. 3.87, p < 0.001) and cosmetic score (RFA: 1.65 vs. 2.2, p < 0.001; LA: 1.85 vs. 2.2, p < 0.001). The adverse event rates (local pain, dysphonia, thyrotoxicosis, fever, hematoma) were 37% (n = 11) and 43% (n = 13) for RFA and LA, respectively, with no requirement for hospitalization. Conclusion: Although the success rate was similar in the RFA and LA groups, RFA achieved a significantly larger nodule volume reduction at six months.

Transperineal laser ablation for percutaneous treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a feasibility study. Results at 6 and 12 months from a retrospective multi-centric study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of SoracteLite™-transperineal percutaneous laser ablation (TPLA) in the treatment of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at 6 and 12 months follow-up. METHODS: Patients with urinary symptoms secondary to BPH underwent TPLA under local anesthesia in four centers. Under US guidance, up to four 21G applicators were inserted in the prostatic tissue. Each treatment was performed with diode laser operating at 1064 nm changing the illumination time according to prostate size. The primary end-points of this study were change in IPSS, PVR, Qmax, QoL, and prostatic volume at 6 an 12 months from SoracteLiteTM TPLA treatment. Secondary end-point was the assessment of complications. RESULTS: Analysis was performed on data 160 patients (mean age 69.8 ± 9.6 years) with at least 6 months follow and of 83 patients (mean age 67.9 ± 8.7 years) with at least 12 months follow-up. At 6 months, IPSS improved from 22.5 ± 5.1 to 7.7 ± 3.3 (P < 0.001), PVR from 89.5 ± 84.6 to 27.2 ± 44.5 ml (P < 0.001), Qmax from 8.0 ± 3.8 to 14.3 ± 3.9 ml/s (P < 0.001), QoL from 4.5 ± 1.1 to 1.8 ± 1.0 (P < 0.001), volume from 75.0 ± 32.4 to 60.3 ± 24.5 ml (P < 0.001). At 12 months, IPSS improved from 22.5 ± 4.5 to 7.0 ± 2.9 (P < 0.001), PVR from 71.7 ± 93.9 to 17.8 ± 51.0 ml (P < 0.001), Qmax from 8.6 ± 5.2 to 15.0 ± 4.0 ml/s (P < 0.001), QoL from 4.2 ± 0.6 to 1.6 ± 0.9 (P < 0.001), volume from 87.9 ± 31.6 to 58.8 ± 22.9 ml (P < 0.001). 7/160 (4.3%) grade I and 1/160 (0.6%) grade III complication occurred. CONCLUSIONS: SoracteLite™ TPLA allows significant improvement of IPSS, Qol, Qmax, PVR, and reduction of prostatic volume at 6 and 12 months.

Minimally-invasive treatments for benign thyroid nodules: a Delphi-based consensus statement from the Italian minimally-invasive treatments of the thyroid (MITT) group.

Benign thyroid nodules are a common clinical occurrence and usually do not require treatment unless symptomatic. During the last years, ultrasound-guided minimally invasive treatments (MIT) gained an increasing role in the management of nodules causing local symptoms. In February 2018, the Italian MIT Thyroid Group was founded to create a permanent cooperation between Italian and international physicians dedicated to clinical research and assistance on MIT for thyroid nodules. The group drafted this list of statements based on literature review and consensus opinion of interdisciplinary experts to facilitate the diffusion and the appropriate use of MIT of thyroid nodules in clinical practice. (#1) Predominantly cystic/cystic symptomatic nodules should first undergo US-guided aspiration; ethanol injection should be performed if relapsing (level of evidence [LoE]: ethanol is superior to simple aspiration = 2); (#2) In symptomatic cystic nodules, thermal ablation is an option when symptoms persist after ethanol ablation (LoE = 4); (#3) Double cytological benignity confirmation is needed before thermal ablation (LoE = 2); (#4) Single cytological sample is adequate in ultrasound low risk (EU-TIRADS ≤3) and in autonomously functioning nodules (LoE = 2); (#5) Thermal ablation may be proposed as first-line treatment for solid, symptomatic, nonfunctioning, benign nodules (LoE = 2); (#6) Thermal ablation may be used for dominant lesions in nonfunctioning multinodular goiter in patients refusing/not eligible for surgery (LoE = 5); (#7) Clinical and ultrasound follow-up is appropriate after thermal ablation (LoE = 2); (#8) Nodule re-treatment can be considered when symptoms relapse or partially resolve (LoE = 2); (#9) In case of nodule regrowth, a new cytological assessment is suggested before second ablation (LoE = 5); (#10) Thermal ablation is an option for autonomously functioning nodules in patients refusing/not eligible for radioiodine or surgery (LoE = 2); (#11) Small autonomously functioning nodules can be treated with thermal ablation when thyroid tissue sparing is a priority and ≥80% nodule volume ablation is expected (LoE = 3).

Image-Guided Thyroid Ablation: Proposal for Standardization of Terminology and Reporting Criteria.

Background: Image-guided tumor ablation is commonly performed in clinical practice. Trying to standardize terminology and data collection to enable a more reliable comparison among the different studies, in 2003, a document entitled "Image-Guided Tumor Ablation: Proposal for Standardization of Terms and Reporting Criteria" was published by the International Working Group on Image-Guided Tumor Ablation. Since then, ablations have evolved significantly, with the development of new technology and techniques and applications. This has included benign thyroid nodules, and their ablation has become increasingly accessible, not only among radiologists but also among other specialists involved in thyroid care, including endocrinologists and surgeons. This has resulted in further inhomogeneity in how data are presented and reported among different studies, resulting in a need for standardization to homogenize language and data reporting on the topic. Summary: In February 2018 in Milano, Italy, a meeting involving specialists concerned with minimally invasive treatments of thyroid lesions was organized, and the Italian Working Group on Minimally Invasive Treatments of the Thyroid was founded with the aim of establishing a collaborative network among all clinicians working in this field. The first work of this group is to present a proposal for standardization of terminology and reporting criteria on image-guided ablations to treat benign thyroid nodules. Conclusion: This proposal was drafted with the goal of providing guidance for standardized reporting of results in studies regarding image-guided thyroid ablations. We encourage adoption of this terminology worldwide, anticipating that this will facilitate improved communication and understanding within the field and stimulate further discussion on the topic over the next years.

Percutaneous laser ablation for benign and malignant thyroid diseases.

Minimally invasive image-guided thermal ablation is becoming increasingly common as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. Among the various techniques for thermal ablation, laser ablation (LA) is the least invasive, using the smallest applicators available on the market and enabling extremely precise energy deposition. However, in some cases, multiple laser fibers must be used simultaneously for the treatment of large nodules. In this review, the LA technique is described, and its main clinical applications and results are discussed and illustrated.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous laser ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of small renal tumors in patients at increased bleeding risk.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of laser ablation (LA) in patients with small renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and increased risk of bleeding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2013 to 2017, nine patients (six males, three females, aged 68.5 ± 12.2 years) at high risk of bleeding underwent ultrasonography-guided LA for an RCC. Patients were considered at increased risk of bleeding because of impairment of coagulation parameters, concomitant antiplatelet therapy, or at-risk location of the tumor (one, five, and three patients, respectively). RCC diameter ranged from 11 to 23 mm. According to tumor size, two or three laser fibers were introduced through 21-gauge needles and 1800 J per fiber were delivered in 6 min with a fixed power of 5 W. Major and minor complications, technical success, and primary and secondary technical effectiveness and tumor recurrence were recorded. RESULTS: Just one Grade 1 complication was observed: a small asymptomatic hematoma that spontaneously resolved. Technical success was 100%, 1 month technical efficacy was 88.9% (8/9 patients). One patient with residual tumor was successfully retreated 1 month later, and secondary efficacy rate was 100%. No local tumor recurrence occurred during a median follow-up of 26 months (range 11-49 months). CONCLUSIONS: LA is safe and effective in the treatment of small RCC and might represent a valid option in patients with increased risk of bleeding.

Feasibility of EUS-guided Nd:YAG laser ablation of unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: EUS has become an interventional technique in which a needle may be used as a vehicle to deliver therapeutic agents. Laser ablation (LA) has been used to treat many primary and secondary neoplasms. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of EUS-guided LA for unresectable (UR) pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Patients with stage IIb-III pancreatic cancer underwent EUS-guided LA. All patients were unresponsive to previous chemoradiotherapy. LA was performed by using a 300-µm flexible fiber preloaded onto a 22-gauge fine needle. A 1064-nm wavelength neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser light with different power settings of 2 W for 800 J, 1000 J, and 1200 J; 3 W for 800 J, 1000 J, and 1200 J; and 4 W for 800 J, 1000 J, and 1200 J was used. Each patient was treated with a single application of 1 of these settings. The application time of the power settings ranged from 200 to 600 seconds. RESULTS: Nine patients (median age, 74.7; range 55-85) underwent Nd:Yag LA. The mean size of the focal lesion was 35.4 mm (range, 21-45). The ablation area, demonstrated by 24-hour CT, ranged from .4 cm3 (for the lower power setting of 2 W/800 J) to a maximum of 6.4 cm3 (for 4 W/1000 J). The procedure was completed in all 9 patients without adverse events. CONCLUSION: In our human experience, EUS-guided LA was feasible and well tolerated in patients with UR pancreatic cancer.

Radiofrequency ablation for the management of thyroid nodules: A critical appraisal of the literature.

The majority of benign thyroid nodules are asymptomatic, remain stable in size and do not require treatment. However, a minority of patients with growing nodules may have local symptoms or cosmetic concerns, and thus demand surgical therapy. The timely use of ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive thermal therapies has changed the natural history of benign, enlarging thyroid nodules (TNs). These procedures produce persistent shrinkage of TNs and an improvement of local symptoms. Among the various procedures, percutaneous ethanol injection represents the first-line treatment for thyroid cysts, while in solid cold nodules, laser and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have proven to be very effective and safe techniques in producing significant volume reduction that remains stable over several years. In particular, RFA seems to be suited for the management of small and medium nodules, while larger nodules may require repeated RFA treatments, and could be difficult to treat if they extend into the chest. RFA is performed in outpatient clinics and has a lower risk of complications compared to surgery. However, to date, there is still no unanimous consensus on the percutaneous treatment of benign nodules using such minimally invasive thermal techniques. In this review, we critically revise the literature to identify patients who are more likely to benefit from RFA treatment as an alternative to surgery.

A comparison of laser with radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules: a propensity score matching analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare technique efficacy and safety of laser ablation (LA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of benign thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and patients' consent was waived. 601 nodules were treated from May 2009 to December 2014 at eight centres, 449 (309 females, age 57 ± 14 years) with LA and 152 (107 females, age 57 ± 14 years) with RFA. A matched cohort composed of 138 patients from each group was selected after adjustment with propensity score matching. Factors influencing volume reduction at 6 and 12 months and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between groups after propensity score matching adjustment. Mean nodule reduction at 6 and 12 months was -67 ± 19% vs. -57 ± 21% (p < 0.001) - 70 ± 19% vs. -62 ± 22% (p = 0.001) in LA group and in RFA group, respectively. Nodules with volume >30 mL had significantly higher percentage volume reduction at 6 and 12 months (-69 ± 19 vs. -50 ± 21, p = 0.001) and (-73 ± 18 vs. -54 ± 23 8, p = 0.001) in the LA group than in the RFA group, respectively. In both groups, operator's skills affected the results. Major complications occurred in 4 cases in each group (p = 0.116) Conclusions: LA and RFA showed nearly similar outcome but LA was slightly more effective than RFA in large nodules. Operator's skills could be crucial in determining the extent of nodule volume reduction regardless of the used technique.

Transperineal Laser Ablation for Percutaneous Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Feasibility Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and safety of transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained for this prospective non-randomized trial. Eightteen patients (age 71.7 ± 9.4 years) with urinary symptoms secondary to BPH underwent TPLA under local anesthesia. Under US guidance, up to four 21G applicators were inserted in the prostatic tissue. Each treatment was performed with diode laser operating at 1064 nm changing the illumination time according to prostate size. Primary endpoints were technical success and safety of TPLA. Secondary endpoints included operation time, ablation time, energy deployed, hospitalization time, catheterization time, and change in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QoL), peak urinary flow rate (Q max), post-void residual (PVR), and prostatic volume at 3 months. χ 2 and Fisher exact tests were used. RESULTS: All procedures were technically successful. No complications occurred. Mean operation time was 43.3 ± 8.7 min, mean ablation time 15.9 ± 3.9 min, mean energy deployed 10,522 ± 3290.5 J, mean hospital stay 1.5 ± 0.4 days, and mean catheterization time 17.3 ± 10.0 days. At 3 months, IPSS improved from 21.9 to 10.7 (P < 0.001), QoL from 4.7 ± 0.6 to 2.1 ± 1.2 (P < 0.001), Q max from 7.6 to 13.3 mL/s (P = 0.001), PVR from 199.9 ± 147.3 to 81.5 ± 97.8 (P < 0.001), and mean prostate volume from 69.8 to 54.8 mL (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TPLA is feasible and safe in the treatment of BPH, providing significant clinical results at 3 months. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case series, Level IV.

Laser, radiofrequency, and ethanol ablation for the management of thyroid nodules.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The majority of benign thyroid nodules are nearly asymptomatic, remain stable in size, and do not require treatment. However, a minority of patients with growing nodules may complain of local symptoms or have cosmetic concerns, and thus seek surgical consultation. RECENT FINDINGS: The timely use of ultrasound-guided minimally invasive procedures can change the natural history of benign enlarging thyroid nodules. The procedures produce persistent shrinkage of thyroid nodules and are associated with improvement of local symptoms. Among the various procedures, percutaneous ethanol injection represents the first-line treatment for relapsing thyroid cysts. In solid nonfunctioning nodules, laser and radiofrequency ablation produces a more than 50% reduction in nodular volume that remains persistent over several years. For hyperfunctioning nodules, thermal ablation techniques are not appropriate unless radioactive iodine is contraindicated or not accessible. SUMMARY: MITs are best suited for the management of medium or large-sized nodules that are sonographically well visualized. Conversely, large nodules or nodular goiters that extend into the chest are difficult to treat. MITs are performed in outpatient clinics, are less expensive, and have a lower risk of complications, compared to surgery, and usually do not induce thyroid dysfunction. However, malignancy should be ruled out with a dedicated ultrasound neck assessment and repeat fine needle aspiration of the lesion before treatment.

Treatment of Metastatic Lymph Nodes in the Neck from Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Percutaneous Laser Ablation.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) of cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 patients (62.3 ± 13.2 year; range 32-80) previously treated with thyroidectomy, neck dissection, and radioiodine ablation underwent ultrasound-guided PLA of 46 (18)FDG-PET/CT-positive metachronous nodal metastases. All patients were at high surgical risk or refused surgery and were unsuitable for additional radioiodine ablation. A 300 µm quartz fiber and a continuous-wave Nd-YAG laser operating at 1.064 mm were used. Technical success, rate of complications, rate of serological conversion, and local control at follow-up were derived. Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used and Kaplan-Meier curve calculated. RESULTS: Technical success was obtained in all 46 lymph nodes (100 %). There were no major complications. Thyroglobulin levels decreased from 8.40 ± 9.25 ng/ml before treatment to 2.73 ± 4.0 ng/ml after treatment (p = 0.011), with serological conversion in 11/24 (45.8 %) patients. Overall, local control was obtained in 40/46 (86.9 %) lymph nodes over 30 ± 11 month follow-up, with no residual disease seen at imaging in 19/24 (79.1 %) patients. Local control was achieved in 40/46 (86.9 %) lymph nodes at 1 year and in all of the 25 nodes (100 %) followed for 3 years. Estimated mean time to progression was 38.6 ± 2.7 m. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided PLA is a feasible, safe, and effective therapy for the treatment of cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Radiofrequency ablation versus laser ablation for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In patients with cirrhosis and small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), thermal ablation is currently recognized as an effective local treatment. Among thermal procedures, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most diffusely used and is the standard against which any new treatment should be compared. In retrospective studies, laser ablation (LA) resulted as safe and effective as RFA. Therefore, we performed a non-inferiority randomized trial comparing RFA with LA in patients with cirrhosis and HCC within Milan criteria. METHODS: Overall, 140 patients with 157 HCC nodules were randomly assigned to receive RFA or LA. The primary end-point was the proportion of complete tumor ablation (CTA). Secondary end-points were time to local progression (TTLP) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Per patient CTA rates after RFA and LA were 97.4% (95% CI, 91.0-99.3) and 95.7% (88.1-98.5), respectively (difference = 1.4%, 95% CI from -6.0% to + 9.0%). Per nodule CTA rates for RFA and LA were 97.4% (91.0-99.3) and 96.3% (89.6-98.7), respectively (difference = 1.1%, from -5.7% to + 8.1%). The mean TTLP was comparable between RFA group (42.0 months; 95% CI, 36.83-47.3) and LA group (46.7 months; 95% CI, 41.5-51.9) (P = .591). The mean OS was 42 months in both groups and survival probability at 1 and 3 years was 94% and 89% in RFA group, and 94% and 80% in LA group. CONCLUSION: LA resulted not inferior to RFA in inducing the CTA of HCC nodules and therefore it should be considered as an evaluable alternative for thermal ablation of small HCC in cirrhotic patients.

Laser ablation for small hepatocellular carcinoma: State of the art and future perspectives.

During the last two decades, various local thermal ablative techniques for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been developed. According to internationally endorsed guidelines, percutaneous thermal ablation is the mainstay of treatment in patients with small HCC who are not candidates for surgical resection or transplantation. Laser ablation (LA) represents one of currently available loco-ablative techniques. In this article, the general principles, technique, image guidance, and patient selection are reported. Primary effectiveness, long-term outcome, and complications are also discussed. A review of published data suggests that LA is equivalent to the more popular and widespread radiofrequency ablation in both local tumor control and long-term outcome in the percutaneous treatment of early HCC. In addition, the LA technique using multiple thin laser fibres allows improved ablative effectiveness in HCCs greater than 3 cm. Reference centres should be equipped with all the available techniques so as to be able to use the best and the most suitable procedure for each type of lesion for each patient.

Invasive and non-invasive techniques for detecting portal hypertension and predicting variceal bleeding in cirrhosis: a review.

Portal hypertension is a severe syndrome that may derive from pre-sinusoidal, sinusoidal, and post-sinusoidal causes. As a consequence, several complications (i.e. ascites, oesophageal varices) may develop. In sinusoidal portal hypertension, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is a reliable method for defining the grade of portal pressure, establishing the effectiveness of the treatment, and predicting the occurrence of complications; however, some questions exist regarding its ability to discriminate bleeding from non-bleeding varices in cirrhotic patients. Other imaging techniques (transient elastography, endoscopy, endosonography, and duplex Doppler sonography) for assessing causes and complications of portal hypertensive syndrome are available and may be valuable for the management of these patients. In this review, we evaluate invasive and non-invasive techniques currently employed to obtain a clinical prediction of deadly complications, such as variceal bleeding in patients affected by sinusoidal portal hypertension, in order to create a diagnostic algorithm to manage them. Again, HVPG appears to be the reference standard to evaluate portal hypertension and monitor the response to treatment, but its ability to predict several complications and support management decisions might be further improved through the diagnostic combination with other imaging techniques.