Occlusion of the vein adjacent to colorectal cancer liver metastasis as a way to increase the radicality of percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative coagulation of the vein adjacent to a tumor nodule in sonographically-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation of perivascular liver metastases of colorectal cancer.Materials and methods. To address the issue, we compared the results of sonographically-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation of perivascular liver metastases of colorectal cancer in 27 patients (aged 60.5 (58; 68) years) without prior coagulation of the adjacent vein (control group) and 26 patients (62.0 (60; 74)) with prior coagulation of the adjacent vein (experimental group).Results. Lower incidence of residual tumor in the ablation area in the patients with prior coagulation of the adjacent vein (14.3 % vs. 29 % of the patients in the control group) and a higher relapse-free survival of such patients (65.2 % vs. 53.6 % and 55.6 % vs. 33.3 %) were reported as compared to the group without prior coagulation of the adjacent vein (after 6 and 12 months, respectively).Conclusion. Preoperative coagulation of the vein adjacent to colorectal cancer liver metastasis allows reducing the effect of heat removal from the RFA zone, thereby contributing to higher radicality of the treatment and resulting both in a lower incidence of residual tumor in the ablation zone and a higher relapse-free survivalof patients, notably without signifcant concomitant changes in the affected part of the liver (segment atrophy).

P–348 Laparoscopic radiofrequency thermal ablation for diffuse adenomyosis: symptomatology after a long-term follow-up

Study question Is conservative laparoscopic treatment with RFA (radiofrequency thermal ablation) related to a good outcome on a long-term follow-up? Summary answer RFA for diffuse adenomyosis was related to a good outcome on a long-term follow-up in terms of pain and ultrasonographic reduction. What is known already Uterine adenomyosis may cause symptoms refractory to medical treatment. New, uterine-sparing treatments have been introduced for patients who desire avoiding hysterectomy. Among surgical techniques used for this purpose, radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) has been introduced, first for the treatment of uterine fibroids and then for focal adenomyosis. Diffuse adenomyosis is characterized by an extensive involvement of uterus, as on ultrasound less than 25% of the lesion is surrounded by healthy myometrium. It often leads to enhanced uterine volume, which presents soft consistence and globular aspect. Conservative treatment of diffuse adenomyosis is a real challenge. Study design, size, duration All consecutive patients who underwent RFA for diffuse adenomyosis in our institution between July 2011 and August 2017. Patients with focal adenomyosis were not included in the study. The treatment was reserved to selected patients who wanted to conserve the uterus and presented symptoms such as pain or abnormal uterine bleeding refractory to medical treatment. In all cases the treatment was performed by laparoscopy, which allowed for complete removal of extrauterine endometriosis, if associated. Participants/materials, setting, methods Nineteen patients (aged 33–49, mean 40) underwent radiofrequency thermal ablation for diffuse adenomyosis, and all of them completed the follow-up. Setting: referral center for endometriosis (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology and Minimally-Invasive Pelvic Surgery, International School of Surgical Anatomy, Negrar). Follow-up consisted on ambulatory clinical evaluation with pelvic ultrasound and assessment of pain using the visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10 points for all pain components. Main results and the role of chance: Endometriosis was associated in12 cases, (63%) and in all cases was removed completely during surgery. The mean follow-up was 64 months (range 29–105). Abnormal uterine bleeding was present in 11 (60%) patients before the treatment and only in four of them (21%) during the follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative mean VAS score for dysmenorrea, dyspareunia, dyschezia and chronic pelvic pain was 6.95 vs 3.7, 4.1 vs 1.4, 3.7 vs 0.9 and 3.9 vs 1.5 respectively (p < 0.05 for all pain components). The reduction of adenomyosis on ultrasound was observed in 75% of cases. After surgery, two of four patients who desired pregnancy conceived, one of them delivered at term by caesarian section and one had an extrauterine pregnancy. Hysterectomy was performed in two cases during follow-up, at 35 and at 84 months after RFA. Limitations, reasons for caution The present study reports outcome in a limited population as the treatment was reserved to selected cases. The results, particularly regarding fertility and pregnancy outcome should be taken with caution because of small numbers. In our opinion for the moment the treatment should be performed in selected cases. Wider implications of the findings: The present treatment could be performed to avoid hysterectomy, as it was necessary only in two cases in our study. No cases of hysterectomy were reported within the first two years from surgery, so we can consider that RFA allows at least a temporary benefit on symptoms. Trial registration number Not applicable

Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation for a Small Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Patient Unfit for Surgery: A Case Report

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency thermal ablation has been proposed as an effective and safe procedure for treating patients who have low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinomas and/or are unfit for surgery. We present the case of a 72-year old male patient with a small thyroid nodule diagnosed as papillary carcinoma after fine needle aspiration. Since the patient had other serious comorbidities, priority was given to other therapies and the malignant thyroid nodule was submitted to active surveillance. After detecting at a follow-up examination a slight dimensional increase of the nodule, the possibility of a radiofrequency thermal ablation was proposed to our patient, who accepted. The procedure was safely and effectively carried out. Follow-up examinations with ultrasonography (or contrast enhanced ultrasound), conducted after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, demonstrated a progressive reduction of size and loss of vascularization in the treated area. The fine needle aspiration was repeated after 6 months: the sample revealed a very poor cellularity composed of inflammatory cells and thick colloid; no residual neoplastic cells were observed. Our experience confirmed what already demonstrated by previous reports: radiofrequency ablation can effectively eliminate small papillary carcinomas, with a very low complication rate. It may be an alternative strategy for the treatment of low-risk, indolent papillary thyroid microcarcinomas, thus avoiding the potential side-effects of surgery in patients at risk for relevant comorbidities.