Laparoscopic vs computerized tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation for large hepatic hemangiomas abutting the diaphragm

AIM: To compare safety and therapeutic efficacy of laparoscopic radiofrequency(RF) ablation vs computed tomography(CT)-guided RF ablation for large hepatic hemangiomas abutting the diaphragm.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our sequential experience of treating 51 large hepatic hemangiomas abutting the diaphragm in 51 patients by CT-guided or laparoscopic RF ablation due to either the presence of symptoms and/or the enlargement of hemangioma.Altogether, 24 hemangiomas were ablated via a CTguided percutaneous approach(CT-guided ablation group), and 27 hemangiomas were treated via a laparoscopic approach(laparoscopic ablation group).RESULTS: The mean diameter of the 51 hemangiomas was 9.6 ± 1.8 cm(range, 6.0-12.0 cm). There was nodifference in the diameter of hemangiomas between the two groups(P > 0.05). RF ablation was performed successfully in all patients. There was no difference in ablation times between groups(P > 0.05). There were 23 thoracic complications in 17 patients: 15(62.5%, 15/24) in the CT-guided ablation group and2(7.4%, 2/27) in the laparoscopic ablation group(P< 0.05). According to the Dindo-Clavien classification,two complications(pleural effusion and diaphragmatic rupture grade Ⅲ) were major in two patients. All others were minor(grade Ⅰ). Both major complications occurred in the CT-guided ablation group. The minor complications were treated successfully with conservative measures, and the two major complications underwent treatment by chest tube drainage and thoracoscopic surgery, respectively. Complete ablation was achieved in 91.7%(22/24) and 96.3%(26/27) in the CT-guided and the laparoscopic ablation groups,respectively(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic RF ablation therapy should be used as the first-line treatment option for large hepatic hemangiomas abutting the diaphragm.It avoids thermal injury to the diaphragm and reduces thoracic complications.

Radiofrequency ablation for single hepatocellular carcinoma 3 cm or less as first-line treatment

AIM:To evaluate long-term outcomes of radiofrequency(RF) ablation as first-line therapy for single hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) ≤ 3 cm and to determine survival and prognostic factors.METHODS:We included all 184 patients who underwent RF ablation as a first-line treatment for single HCC ≤ 3 cm between April 2005 and December 2013.According to the criteria of Livraghi,the 184 patients were divided into two groups:those suitable for surgical resection(84 cases) and those unsuitable for surgical resection(100 cases).The primary endpoints were the overall survival(OS) rate and safety;the secondary endpoints were primary technique effectiveness and recurrence rate.RESULTS:There were 19(10.3%) cases of ablation related minor complications.The complete tumor ablation rate after one RF session was 97.8%(180/184).The rate of local tumor progression,extrahepatic metastases and intrahepatic distant recurrence were 4.9%(9/184),9.8%(18/184) and 37.5%(69/184),respectively.In the 184 patients,the 1-,3-,and 5-year OS rates were 99.5%,81.0%,and 62.5%,respectively.The 1-,3-,and 5-year OS rates were 100%,86.9%,and 71.4%,respectively,in those suitable for surgical resection and 99.0%,76.0%,and 55.0%,respectively,in those unsuitable for surgical resection(P = 0.021).On univariate and multivariate analyses,poorer OS was associated with Child-Pugh B class and portal hypertension(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:RF ablation is a safe and effective treatment for single HCC ≤ 3 cm.The OS rate of patients suitable for surgical resection was similar to those reported in surgical series.

Radiofrequency ablation for hepatic hemangiomas: A consensus from a Chinese panel of experts

Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency(RF) ablation therapy is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure for hepatic hemangiomas, even huge hepatic hemangiomas. RF ablation has the following advantages in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas: minimal invasiveness, definite efficacy, high safety, fast recovery, relatively simple operation, and wide applicability. It is necessary to formulate a widely accepted consensus among the experts in China who have extensive expertise and experience in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas using RF ablation, which is important to standardize the application of RF ablation for the management of hepatic hemangiomas, regarding the selection of patients with suitable indications to receive RF ablation treatment, the technical details of the techniques, therapeutic effect evaluations, management of complications, etc. A final consensus by a Chinese panel of experts who have the expertise of using RF ablation to treat hepatic hemangiomas was reached by means of literature review, comprehensive discussion, and draft approval.