Jason D. Iannuccilli

Radiofrequency ablation and percutaneous ethanol injection treatment for recurrent local and distant well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Objective:To assess the long-term efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ethanol (EtOH) injection treatment of local recurrence or focal distant metastases of well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WTC). Background:RFA and EtOH injection techniques are new minimally invasive surgical alternatives for treatment of recurrent WTC. We report our experience and long-term follow-up results using RFA or EtOH ablation in treating local recurrence and distant focal metastases from WTC. Methods:Twenty patients underwent treatment of biopsy-proven recurrent WTC in the neck. Sixteen of these patients had lesions treated by ultrasound-guided RFA (mean size, 17.0 mm; range, 8–40 mm), while 6 had ultrasound-guided EtOH injection treatment (mean size, 11.4 mm; range, 6–15 mm). Four patients underwent RFA treatment of focal distant metastases from WTC. Three of these patients had CT-guided RFA of bone metastases (mean size, 40.0 mm; range, 30–60 mm), and 1 patient underwent RFA for a solitary lung metastasis (size, 27 mm). Patients were then followed with routine ultrasound, 131I whole body scan, and/or serum thyroglobulin levels for recurrence at the treatment site. Results:No recurrent disease was detected at the treatment site in 14 of the 16 patients treated with RFA and in all 6 patients treated with EtOH injection at a mean follow-up of 40.7 and 18.7 months, respectively. Two of the 3 patients treated for bone metastases are free of disease at the treatment site at 44 and 53 months of follow-up, respectively. The patient who underwent RFA for a solitary lung metastasis is free of disease at the treatment site at 10 months of follow-up. No complications were experienced in the group treated by EtOH injection, while 1 minor skin burn and 1 permanent vocal cord paralysis occurred in the RFA treatment group. Conclusions:RFA and EtOH ablation show promise as alternatives to surgical treatment of recurrent WTC in patients with difficult reoperations. Further long-term follow-up studies are necessary to determine the precise role these therapies should play in the treatment of recurrent WTC.

Sensitivity and specificity of eight CT signs in the preoperative diagnosis of internal mesenteric hernia following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

AIM To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of eight previously reported computed tomography (CT) signs in diagnosing internal mesenteric hernia following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS Preoperative CT images of nine patients with surgically proven internal mesenteric hernia as a complication of gastric bypass surgery and 10 matched control patients were reviewed in a blinded fashion by three radiologists. The presence of eight previously reported signs of internal mesenteric hernia was assessed: mesenteric swirl sign, hurricane eye sign, mushroom sign, small bowel obstruction, clustered small bowel loops, small bowel other than duodenum located behind the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), presence of the jejunal anastomosis to the right of the midline, and engorged mesenteric lymph nodes. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each sign, as well as inter-observer reliability in recognizing these signs. RESULTS Mesenteric swirl was the most predictive sign of internal hernia (sensitivity 78-100%, specificity 80-90%). Other CT signs showed good specificity (70-100%), but sensitivities were low (0-44%). The presence of a small-bowel obstruction and engorged mesenteric nodes was found to be 100% specific in predicting the presence of an underlying hernia. There was substantial inter-observer agreement in detecting mesenteric swirl sign (kappa=0.48-0.79), but agreement was relatively poor for all other signs. CONCLUSION Mesenteric swirl is an easily recognized CT sign, and is the best indicator of internal hernia following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Other reported CT signs are diagnostically insensitive. The presence of small-bowel obstruction with engorged mesenteric nodes is highly specific in diagnosing internal mesenteric hernia.

Microwave ablation of focal hepatic malignancies regardless of size: A 9-year retrospective study of 64 patients

PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) as treatment for single, focal hepatic malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained for this HIPAA-compliant study. From December 2003 to May 2012, 64 patients were treated with MWA for a single hepatic lesion, in 64 sessions. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was treated in 25 patients (geometric mean tumor size, 3.33-cm; 95% CI, 2.65-4.18-cm; range, 1.0-12.0-cm), metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) was treated in 27 patients (geometric mean tumor size, 2.7-cm; 95% CI, 2.20-3.40-cm; range, 0.8-6.0-cm), and other histological-types were treated in 12 patients (geometric mean tumor size, 3.79-cm; 95% CI, 2.72-5.26-cm; range, 1.7-8.0-cm). Kaplan-Meier (K-M) method was used to analyze time event data. Chi-square and correlation evaluated the relationship between tumor size and treatment parameters. RESULTS Technical success rate was 95.3% (61/64). Treatment parameters were tailored to tumor size; as size increased more antennae were used (p<0.001), treatment with multiple activations increased (p<0.028), and treatment time increased (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant relationship between time to recurrence and tumor size, number of activations, number of antennae, and treatment time. At one-year, K-M analysis predicted a likelihood of local recurrence of 39.8% in HCC patients, 45.7% in CRC metastases patients, and 70.8% in patients with other metastases. Median cancer specific survivals for patients were 38.3 months for HCC patients, 36.3 months for CRC metastases, and 13.9 months for other histological-types. Complications occurred in 23.4% (15/64) of sessions. CONCLUSION In our sample, tumor size did not appear to impact complete ablation rates or local recurrence rates for focal hepatic malignancies treated with MWA.

Percutaneous Ablation for Small Renal Masses—Imaging Follow-Up

Image-guided percutaneous thermal ablation is a safe and effective nephron-sparing alternative to surgical resection for the treatment of small renal tumors. Assessment of treatment efficacy relies heavily on interval follow-up imaging after treatment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) both play a pivotal role in evaluating the treatment zone, identifying residual tumor, and detecting early and delayed procedure-related complications. This article discusses a surveillance imaging protocol for patients who undergo percutaneous thermal ablation of renal tumors, and also illustrates the typical appearances of both successfully treated tumors and residual disease on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. In addition, it discusses the imaging appearance of potential early and delayed treatment-related complications to facilitate their prompt detection and management.

Solid renal masses: effectiveness and safety of image-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation

With increasing emphasis on minimally invasive nephron-sparing techniques for treatment of renal tumors, image-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as a safe and effective method of tumor eradication that may be performed on an outpatient basis, with relatively low morbidity and mortality. This review addresses the clinical and technical considerations, risks, complications, and currently reported efficacy data pertaining to RFA of renal tumors, as well as the standardized approach to treatment and follow-up currently used in our practice.

Interventional spine procedures for management of chronic low back pain-a primer.

Chronic low back pain is a common clinical condition. Percutaneous fluoroscopic-guided interventions are safe and effective procedures for the management of chronic low back pain, which can be performed in an outpatient setting. Interventional radiologists already possess the technical skills necessary to perform these interventions effectively so that they may be incorporated into a busy outpatient practice. This article provides a basic approach to the evaluation of patients with low back pain, as well as a review of techniques used to perform the most common interventions using fluoroscopic guidance.

Renal Cell Carcinoma: Comparison of RENAL Nephrometry and PADUA Scores with Maximum Tumor Diameter for Prediction of Local Recurrence after Thermal Ablation

Purpose To evaluate the performance of the radius, exophytic or endophytic, nearness to collecting system or sinus, anterior or posterior, and location relative to polar lines (RENAL) nephrometry and preoperative aspects and dimensions used for anatomic classification (PADUA) scoring systems and other tumor biometrics for prediction of local tumor recurrence in patients with renal cell carcinoma after thermal ablation. Materials and Methods This HIPAA-compliant study was performed with a waiver of informed consent after institutional review board approval was obtained. A retrospective evaluation of 207 consecutive patients (131 men, 76 women; mean age, 71.9 years ± 10.9) with 217 biopsy-proven renal cell carcinoma tumors treated with thermal ablation was conducted. Serial postablation computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to evaluate for local tumor recurrence. For each tumor, RENAL nephrometry and PADUA scores were calculated by using imaging-derived tumor morphologic data. Several additional tumor biometrics and combinations thereof were also measured, including maximum tumor diameter. The Harrell C index and hazard regression techniques were used to quantify associations with local tumor recurrence. Results The RENAL (hazard ratio, 1.43; P = .003) and PADUA (hazard ratio, 1.80; P < .0001) scores were found to be significantly associated with recurrence when regression techniques were used but demonstrated only poor to fair discrimination according to Harrell C index results (C, 0.68 and 0.75, respectively). Maximum tumor diameter showed the highest discriminatory strength of any individual variable evaluated (C, 0.81) and was also significantly predictive when regression techniques were used (hazard ratio, 2.98; P < .0001). For every 1-cm increase in diameter, the estimated rate of recurrence risk increased by 198%. Conclusion Maximum tumor diameter demonstrates superior performance relative to existing tumor scoring systems and other evaluated biometrics for prediction of local tumor recurrence after renal cell carcinoma ablation.

How to Set Up a Successful Tumor Ablation Practice

Tumor ablation services have increased in prevalence across the country and can now be found in modern health care systems of all sizes. These services have become an integral part of the coordinated multidisciplinary approach to patient care that must take place at any oncologic center of excellence. However, building a reputable tumor ablation practice at an institutional level can be a very difficult task as there are many financial, political, and material considerations that must be addressed during the early phases of operation to ensure its success. This article discusses each of these considerations in turn and provides insight into ways to overcome the inherent challenges faced when bringing all of the necessary elements together to create a thriving tumor ablation practice at an institutional level.