ABSTRACT
Objective To summarize and analyze the perioperative complications of irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation in treating tumors at different locations and to discuss their managements. Methods A total of 200 patients with tumors, including pancreatic tumor (n=71), liver tumor (n=64) and other tumors (n =65), were enrolled in this study. All patients received IRE ablation treatment. The perioperative complications were recorded and the data were statistically analyzed. The causes of severe complications and the treatment of complications were discussed. Results None of the patients died during the course of IRE ablation procedure. Severe postoperative complications occurred in the patients with pancreatic tumor or liver tumor, including duodenal artery bleeding in 3 patients with pancreatic tumor, which occurred at 10 days, 11 days and 15 days after IRE ablation respectively, and gastrointestinal bleeding (n =1) and biliary septic shock (n=1) in 2 patients with liver tumor, which occurred at 9 days after IRE ablation, the clinical symptoms were controlled after interventional embolization and/or vascular ligation together with anti-infective therapy. All minor complications were relieved after symptomatic treatment within 14 days. Conclusion IRE ablation has less systemic inflammatory response, and both the intraoperative and postoperative adverse reactions can be easily controlled, besides, IRE ablation has higher clinical safety. Although IRE ablation procedure may damage the internal or peripheral vessels of the pancreatic tumor, this severe complications can be effectively avoided if proper measures are adopted based on the causes of complications. (J Intervent Radiol, 2018, 27: 223-227)
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of treatment with CT-guided percutaneous irreversible electroporation (IRE) of locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC). Methods Patients with unresectable radiographic stage ⅢLAPC were prospectively collected. Comprehensive blood and imaging (CT,MRI,PET-CT) baseline examinations were completed and analyzed preoperatively. Operations were performed under general anesthesia and the needles were inserted under the guidance of CT. Ablative parameters were altered depending on the tumor size, anatomical location, and the number of electrodes. Needle withdrawal combined segmental ablation was chosen and the active electrode exposure length was 1 cm. All the imaging and serological follow-up examinations were performed within 1 to 3 days after procedures, at day 7 postoperatively, 1 and 3 months postoperatively to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IRE(according to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumours of WHO). Results All the procedures were completed successfully. Immediately postoperative CT and/or MRI images showed all the ablation areas were well-defined and presented low-density necrosis without enhancement. The CT scans at day 7 postoperatively showed all the 14 lesions were drastically necrotized and the surrounding tissues were unharmed. CT and/or MRI scans at 1 month postoperatively revealed hypodense or low signal ablation areas without enhancement and the peritumoral and involved vessels and pancreatic duct were undamaged. All the patients had a CA199 transient rising, but it decreased progressively within 3 days and then markedly decreased at 1 weak and 1 month postoperatively. The laboratory carcino-embryonic antigen was almost within normal lists. Peripancreatic exudation was noted in 3 cases immediately after the procedures. One patient developed retroperitoneal infection. Mesenteric(2 of 4)and portal(2 of 4)venous thrombosis were found on MRI images in 4 patients. One patient had a duodenum stenosis and 1 died from serious gastrointestinal bleeding 2.5 months after IRE(unclear etiopathogenisis). The postoperative 3 months dynamic imaging showed that 4 of 13 reached complete response (CR) ,7 of 13 reached partial response (PR) and 2 of 13 had stable disease (SD). Conclusion CT-guided percutaneous IRE is safe and effective in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.