Biliary complications and efficacy after ablation of peribiliary tumors using irreversible electroporation (IRE) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biliary complication rates and efficacy of peribiliary tumor ablation using irreversible electroporation (IRE) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 42 consecutive patients with 44 peribiliary tumors (≤5 mm distance between the tumor margin and the primary or secondary bile duct). Data were collected between January 2014 and September 2020 from patients who underwent percutaneous liver ablation using IRE (n = 13) or RFA (n = 31). RESULTS: The median length of follow-up was 23.1 months. The mean tumor size was 17.2 ± 5.2 mm in IRE vs. 18.4 ± 7.0 mm in RFA (p= .56). Complete tumor ablation was achieved in 100% with a significantly larger ablation zone in the IRE group (3.8 ± 0.3 cm vs. 2.6 ± 0.6 cm, p<.001). Significant biliary complications occurred in one patient (7.7%) of the IRE group and in five patients (16.1%) of the RFA group. Significant risk factors for biliary complications included the RFA procedure (HR 9.71, p=.032) and proximity of the tumor to the bile duct (HR 0.63, p=.048). The local tumor progression (LTP) rates were 7.7% (IRE) vs. 21.5% (RFA) at 1 year, 23.1% (IRE) vs. 32.7% (RFA) at 2 years and 23.1% (IRE) vs. 44% (RFA) at 3 years, respectively (p=.289). CONCLUSIONS: The IRE and RFA procedures are safe and effective to treat peribiliary liver tumors. However, the RFA may have a higher risk of significant bile duct injury than IRE. The shorter distance between the bile duct and the tumor is a strong risk factor for biliary complications.

Incidence of proximal deep vein thrombosis in medical critical care patients.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 13-31% of medical critical care patients develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, there are very few reports regarding the incidence of DVT among Asian patients without routine prophylaxis. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and incidence proportion of proximal DVT in Thai medical critical care patients not receiving thrombosis prophylaxis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in medical critical care patients admitted to Siriraj Hospital, Thailand between November 2008 and November 2009. Patients were screened for proximal DVT by duplex ultrasonography performed 48 h, 7, 14 and 28 days after admission. Primary outcomes were prevalence and incidence proportion of DVT. Factors associated with the development of proximal DVT were evaluated by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 158 patients enrolled in the study, 25 had proximal DVT (15.8%). Nine patients (5.7%) had DVT on the first test at 48 h, while 10 (6.3%), 2 (1.3%) and 4 (2.5%) patients had developed DVT on days 7, 14, and 28, respectively. Thus, the prevalence at the beginning of the study was 5.7% (95%CI 2.6-10.5) and the incidence proportion was 10.1% (95%CI 5.9-15.9). The multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] per 1-year increase was 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.07), female gender (OR 4.05, 95%CI 1.51-12.03), femoral venous catheter (OR 11.18, 95%CI 3.19-44.83), and the absence of platelet transfusion (OR 0.07, 95%CI 0.003-0.43) were associated with the development of proximal DVT. Patients with proximal DVT had a longer hospital length of stay (22 days [IQR 11-60] vs. 14 days [7-23], p = 0.03) and spent more time on mechanical ventilation (10 days (3.3-57) vs. 6 days (3-12), p = 0.053) than patients without DVT. Patient mortality was not affected by the presence of DVT (52% vs. 38.3%, p = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: Routine thromboprophylaxis is not used in our institution and the prevalence and incidence proportion of proximal DVT in Asian medical critical care patients were both substantial. Patients with older age, female gender, an intravenous femoral catheter, and the absence of platelet transfusion all had a higher chance of developing proximal DVT.

Incidence of complication and tumor recurrence after radiofrequency ablation in high-risk location of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate complication, rate of residual, and tumor recurrence in high-risk location compared to non-high-risk location in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Radiofrequency ablation was performed on 409 tumors in Siriraj Hospital between October 2009 and May 2012. Eighty-eight nodules in 78 atients were treated by RF ablation, which divided into high risk and non-high-risk location. Complete ablation rate, residual tumor recurrent tumor, and complication were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: HCC nodules were in non-high-risk location 34 nodules (38.6%) and in high-risk location 54 nodules (61.4%). Complete tumor ablations were done in 34 nodules (100%) of non-high-risk location group and 50 nodules (92.6%) of high-risk location group. All residual tumors were four nodules (7.2%), which located in subcapsular location. Recurrent tumors were found in six nodules (6.8%), and mean time to recurrence were 210.2 days. Early complication was 10.2% and late complication was 4.5%. The recurrent tumor and complication were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation is effective treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk location tumor There is no significant difference in complication and tumor recurrent rate between high-risk and non-high-risk group. However incidence of residual tumor is significantly increased in subcapsular location tumor

CT appearances of post-radiation livers in patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the computed tomographic (CT) findings of post-radiation livers and the interval changes in patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirteen patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma who received concurrent chemoradiation with conformal radiotherapy technique (50 to 66 Gy, 2 Gy/fraction) were included in the present study. CT at pre-radiation and sequential follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were retrospectively reviewed by two abdominal radiologists to identify CT characteristics of post-radiation liver and the interval changes. RESULTS: CT at pre-radiation and sequential follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were available in 92.3%, 100%, 76.9%, 53.8%, 30.8% and 23.1%, respectively. Post-radiation livers showed sharply-delineated, hypodense radiation areas, which were well related with the isodose line of 35 to 56 Gy (mean = 44.4 +/- 6.55 Gy). These radiation areas were mostly appreciated on portal venous phase at 1-month follow-up study in 12 of 13 (92.3%) patients and these were gradually less defined in subsequent studies. Progressive decrease size of radiation areas with persistent enhancement on delayed phase images were recognized. Progression of hepatic cortical irregularity was seen in four (30.8%) patients, as well as pulmonary fibrosis of lung bases. CONCLUSION: Post-radiation liver in patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma showed a sharply-defined, hypodense radiation area, which was mostly appreciated in 1-month follow-up CT and was gradually less defined in subsequent studies with evidence of progressive atrophic change.

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in high risk patients: outcomes of management.

BACKGROUND: The concomitant cardiopulmonary disease precluded the elective repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with acceptable risk. The endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become an alternative method for the treatment of AAA with high-risk comorbidities. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the results of EVAR in high-risk patients with large AAA. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study of high-risk patients with large AAA and suitable morphology who underwent EVAR between August 2003 and August 2005 was conducted. The long-term outcomes were observed up to December 2006. The comorbidities, size of aneurysm, types of procedures, operative time, amount of blood loss and transfusion, length of postoperative stay in intensive care unit and hospital, postoperative complications and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Eight patients (7 males and 1 female) with the mean age of 71.4 years (range 66-83 years) were included in the present study. The comorbidities were six of compromised cardiac status, one of severe pulmonary disease and one of morbid obesity. The average size of aneurysm was 6.2 +/- 0.64 centimetres. One patient also had large bilateral iliac artery aneurysms. Seven patients underwent EVAR with bifurcated aortic stent graft and one proceeded with aorto uni-iliac stent graft. Three patients underwent preoperative coil embolisation into internal iliac arteries when the distal landing zones at the external iliac arteries were considered. The mean estimated blood loss was 369cc and the mean blood transfusion was 0.88 units. There were no perioperative mortality, early graft occlusion, AAA rupture and open conversion in the present study. One patient had cardiac arrest due to upper airway obstruction but with successful treatment. Type II endoleak was observed in one patient and successfully treated by expectant management. One limb of bifurcated stent graft was occluded at the 5th month post EVAR and was successfully treated by artery bypass surgery at both groins. The 3-year primary graft limb patency was 87.5% (7/8). The survivals of patients at 1, 2 and 3 years were 100%, 100% and 87.5% respectively. The cause of death in one patient was not related to EVAR. CONCLUSION: EVAR may be a safe and effective alternative to open AAA repair especially in high-risk patients.

Effect of short-term folate and vitamin B supplementation on blood homocysteine level and carotid artery wall thickness in chronic hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease in chronic hemodialysis patients. This stratified randomized controlled trial was designed to measure the effect of high dose oral vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid on homocysteine levels, and to evaluate the effect on atherosclerosis as measured by Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty-four chronic hemodialysis patients with hyperhomocysteinemia were randomized to receive oral 15 mg folic acid, 50 mg vitamin B6, and 1 mg vitamin B12 daily (treatment group) or oral 5 mg folic acid alone (control group) for 6 months. Homocysteine level and IMT were measured in both groups. RESULTS: At 6 months, homocysteine levels in the treatment group were significantly reduced from 27.94 +/- 8.54 to 22.71 +/- 3.68 mmol/l (p = 0.009) and were not significantly increased from 26.81 +/- 7.10 to 30.82 +/- 8.76 mmol/l in control group (p = 0.08). Mean difference between both groups was statistically significant (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference of IMT of carotid arteries, however, a tendency that the treatment group would have less thickness was observed (0.69 +/- 0.29 mm and 0.62 +/- 0.16 mm, p = 0.99). CONCLUSION: Treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in chronic hemodialysis patients with daily oral 15 mg folic acid, 50 mg vitamin B6, and 1 mg vitamin B12 for 6 months decreases homocysteine levels and tends to reduce IMT of carotid arteries. A long term study for the prevention of atherosclerosis is warranted.

Relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and atherosclerosis in chronic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor of coronary artery heart disease (CAHD) and atherosclerosis in a normal population. However, it is still controversial in end-stage kidney disease patients who underwent long-term dialysis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is the standard non-invasive measurement of atherosclerosis. The aims of the present study were to determine the homocysteine (Hcy) level, and to evaluate its role as a risk factor of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis (HD) patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Clinical data and blood chemistries were assayed in 62 HD patients. Atherosclerosis was defined by clinical presentations of CAHD, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular diseases, or carotid plaque by ultrasound. IMT was also measured by ultrasound RESULTS: Plasma Hcy level in HD patients was significantly higher in HD patients than normal controls (28.3 +/- 8.3 vs 9.7 +/- 2.9 micromol/l, p < 0.001). Older age (p < 0.001), male sex (p = 0.05), longer duration of HD (p = 0.05), and higher plasma Hcy level (p = 0.01) correlated with atherosclerosis by univariate analysis, but plasma Hcy did not show significant correlation by multivariable analysis. There was also correlation between IMT and atherosclerosis in HD patients (p < 0.001) but no correlation was observed between plasma Hcy level and lMT. CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is not an independent factor in the genesis of atherosclerosis in HD patients. Advanced age plays a major role of hyperhomocysteinemia and IMT is a useful marker of atherosclerosis in these patients.