Curettage combined with bone cavity opening reduces recurrence of the mandibular conventional ameloblastoma and effectively preserves the mandible: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with mandibular conventional ameloblastoma undergoing radical surgical treatment experience greater trauma and often find it challenging to accept, whereas conservative therapy is associated with a higher recurrence rate. In this study, we have improved traditional conservative treatment for mandibular conventional ameloblastoma by curettage combined with bone cavity opening (Cur/BCO). This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Cur/BCO treatment by comparing its recurrence rate and bone mineral density (BMD) growth rate with the traditional conservative treatment approach. METHODS: A total of 40 patients, meeting the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria from 2012 to 2020, were screened, with 20 in the modified group and 20 in the traditional group. ImageJ (RRID: SCR_003070) software was employed for measuring image indices. All data were analyzed using T-test, Chi-square test and Fisher exact test in SPSS 26.0 (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The incidence of recurrence was significantly lower in the modified group, at only 5%, compared to 35% in the traditional group (p < 0.05). Regarding bone mineral density (BMD) growth rate, the average value in the modified group was 0.0862 ± 0.2302 (/month), significantly higher than the average value of 0.0608 ± 0.2474 (/month) in the traditional group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was found that the recurrence rate of the modified conservative treatment (Cur/BCO) was lower than that of the traditional conservative treatment for managing mandibular conventional ameloblastoma. Furthermore, the BMD growth rate was quicker in the modified group. Thus, Cur/BCO could be considered as a viable option for the conservative treatment of mandibular conventional ameloblastoma.

Safety and technical feasibility of percutaneous ablation for lymph node metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the safety and technical feasibility of percutaneous ablation therapy for lymph node (LN) metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 31 consecutive HCC patients with LN metastases who were treated with ablation were included in this retrospective study. Percutaneous ablation was performed under local anesthesia and computed tomography-guidance. The primary endpoint was technique success; secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local progression-free survival (LPFS). Survival curves were constructed using Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The median diameter of metastatic LNs was 30 mm (range, 10-77 mm). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 74.6%, 50.3%, and 50.3%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS rates were 24.7%, 0%, and not available for calculation (NA), respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year LPFS rates were 78.7%, 69.9%, and 69.9%, respectively. The technique success and technical effectiveness rates were 100% and 64.5%, respectively. The technical effectiveness rates were 65.4% (17/26) and 60% (3/5) in abdominal LN metastases and distant LN metastases, respectively. Only one patient (1/31, 3.2%) had major complications (massive pleural effusion and severe pneumonia) related to ablation. Minor complications related to ablation included mild abdominal pain (10/31, 32.3%) and self-limiting hematoma (2/31, 6.5%). No ablation-related death occurred. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous ablation appears to be a safe and feasible method for treatment of metastatic LNs in patients with HCC.