Increasing peripheral pulmonary nodules are detected given the growing adoption of chest CT screening for lung cancer. The invention of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscope provides a new diagnosis and treatment method for pulmonary nodules, which has been demonstrated to be feasible and safe, and the technique of microwave ablation through bronchus is gradually maturing. The one-stop diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules can be completed by the combination of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy and microwave ablation, which will help achieve local treatment through the natural cavity without trace.
In recent years, with the improvement of people's awareness of physical examination and the more accurate detection equipment, the detection rate of pulmonary nodules is getting higher and higher. Surgical resection is the first choice for the treatment of malignant pulmonary nodules, but multiple pulmonary nodules, nodules in complex areas and those with surgical contraindications are not suitable for surgery. As an effective, less invasive and low-cost treatment, ablation has developed rapidly in the treatment of multiple pulmonary nodules. This article introduces the progress of several common ablation techniques (radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, cryoablation) in the treatment of multiple pulmonary nodules, the indications and contraindications of ablation techniques, the efficacy evaluation and complications after ablation therapy, and the prospects of ablation techniques in the treatment of multiple pulmonary nodules.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical utility and safety of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in the patients with inoperable high-risk pulmonary nodules.MethodsClinical data of patients who were diagnosed with inoperable pulmonary nodules highly suspected as malignant tumors and treated with ENB-guided MWA in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from December 2019 to September 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the procedure. There were 6 males and 3 females aged 72.0 (59.5-77.0) years.ResultsTotally ENB-guided MWA was performed in 9 patients with 12 lesions. All patients suffered from at least one chronic comorbidity. The inoperable reasons included poor pulmonary function (55.6%), comorbidities of other organs which made the surgery intolerable (33.3%), multiple lesions in different lobes or segments (22.2%), personal wills (22.2%) and advanced in age (11.1%). The median diameter of nodules was 13.5 (9.5-22.0) mm and the median distance from the edge of nodules to pleura was 5.3 (1.8-16.3) mm. Bronchoscope maneuver to the targeted lesions was manipulated according to navigation pathway under visual and X-ray guidance and confirmed with radial ultrasound probe. Rapid on-site evaluation also helped with primary pathological confirmation of biopsy specimen. Among all the lesions, 4 adenocarcinoma, 1 non-small cell lung cancer-not otherwise specified and 2 inflammatory lesions were reported in postoperative pathological diagnosis, while no malignant cells were found in 5 specimens. The ablation success rate was 83.3% (10/12). For the two off-targeted lesions, percutaneous ablations were performed as salvage treatment subsequently. The median hospitalization time was 3.0 (2.0-3.0) days and no short-term complications were reported in these patients.ConclusionENB-guided MWA is a safe and effective procedure for patients with high-risk pulmonary nodules when thoracic surgery cannot be tolerated.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation versus traditional open surgical operation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.MethodsPubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CBM, CNKI and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation versus traditional open surgery for benign thyroid nodules from inception to June 30th, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was then performed by RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 38 RCTs involving 4 078 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation might be more effective than traditional open surgery for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (RR=1.09, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.19, P=0.04), and compared with traditional open surgery, ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation reduced the rate of postoperative complication (RR=0.26, 95%CI 0.21 to 0.31, P<0.000 01), shortened postoperative hospital stay (MD=–3.60, 95%CI –4.04 to –3.15, P<0.000 01) and the time consumed in operation (MD=–48.79, 95%CI –54.16 to –43.41, P<0.000 01), and reduced operative blood loss (MD=–22.02, 95%CI–23.87 to –20.17, P<0.000 01). Meanwhile, microwave ablation reduced the elevated levels of serum IL-6 content (MD=–10.34, 95%CI –10.70 to –9.97, P<0.000 01), serum CRP content (MD=–9.70, 95%CI –10.95 to –8.44, P<0.000 01) and serum TNF-α content (MD=–7.94, 95%CI –9.00 to –6.88, P<0.000 01).ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation may improve clinical efficacy and can reduce postoperative complications, bleeding volume, operation time, hospitalization days and postoperative inflammatory reaction. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical feasibility and safety of CT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for peripheral solitary pulmonary nodules.MethodsThe imaging and clinical data of 33 patients with pulmonary nodule less than 3 cm in diameter treated by CT-guided microwave ablation treatment (PMAT) in our hospital from July 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 21 males and 12 females aged 38-90 (67.6±13.4) years. Among them, 26 patients were confirmed with lung cancer by biopsy and 7 patients were clinically considered as partial malignant lesions. The average diameter of 33 nodules was 0.6-3.0 (1.8±0.6) cm. The 3- and 6-month follow-up CT was performed to evaluate the therapy method by comparing the diameter and enhancement degree of lesions with 1-month CT manifestation. Short-term treatment analysis including complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) was calculated according to the WHO modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor (mRECIST) for short-term efficacy evaluation. Eventually the result of response rate (RR) was calculated. Progression-free survival was obtained by Kaplan–Meier analysis.ResultsCT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation was successfully conducted in all patients. Three patients suffered slight pneumothorax. There were 18 (54.5%) patients who achieved CR, 9 (27.3%) patients PR, 4 (12.1%) patients SD and 2 (6.1%) patients PD. The short-term follow-up effective rate was 81.8%. Logistic analysis demonstrated that primary and metastatic pulmonary nodules had no difference in progression-free time (log-rank P=0.624).ConclusionPMAT is of high success rate for the treatment of solitary pulmonary nodules without severe complications, which can be used as an effective alternative treatment for nonsurgical candidates.
Objective To summarize recent progress of microwave ablation combined with endoscopic technique for liver cancer. Method The literatures relevant to treatment of microwave ablation combined with endoscopic technique for liver cancer in recent years were identified by searching PubMed and CNKI, then summarized and reviewed. Results The treatment of endoscopic microwave ablation or it combined with hepatectomy, interventional embolization, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and two-step hepatectomy could expand the treatment indications for liver cancer, increase the cure rate, and reduce the intraoperative bleeding, postoperative complications and recurrence. Conclusions Microwave ablation combined with endoscopic technique has less invasion and fast recovery for patient with liver cancer. Multi-disciplinary team collaboration and rational use of varied therapeutic methods in treatment of liver cancer could help to improve treatment effect and prolong survival time of patient.
Although surgical resection remains to be the best treatment strategy for stageⅠnon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), percutaneous thermal ablation offers an important option for patients who are unable to undergo surgical resection. Currently, there are three main thermal ablation methods used in the treatment of lung cancer, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA) and argon-helium cryoablation (AHC). With the improvement of technique and the accumulation of experience in the treatment of lung cancer, some limitations are disclosed in the initial application of RFA, such as heat sink effect, skin burns and rapid carbonization. These shortcomings have been overcome in the development of MWA and AHC. The feasibility and safety of thermal ablation for the treatment of lung cancer has been demonstrated and its efficacy has been significantly improved (especially for the tumour diameter≤3 cm). This article will focus on the application and recent research developments of these ablation techniques in the treatment of lung cancer.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous versus electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB)-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of pulmonary nodules. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of high-risk pulmonary nodule patients who underwent MWA at the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between 2022 and 2023. The pathological diagnosis rate, complications, and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between the CT group and the ENB group. ResultsThe CT group included 61 patients, while the ENB group comprised 53 patients. The pathological diagnosis rate in the CT group was slightly higher than that in the ENB group (88.52% vs. 71.69%, P=0.03). However, the ENB group exhibited a lower incidence of perioperative complications, including pneumothorax (16.39% vs. 3.77%, P=0.03), hemoptysis (19.67% vs. 5.66%, P=0.05), and pain (22.95% vs. 7.54%, P=0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in PFS between the two groups [HR=1.17, 95%CI (0.23, 5.81), P=0.85]. ConclusionBoth CT-guided and ENB-guided MWA are effective treatment modalities for high-risk pulmonary nodules.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) combined with laparoscopic-assisted microwave ablation (Lap-MWA) for the liver resection in the treatment of unresectable primary hepatic carcinoma. Methods This study analyzed the clinical data of 12 hepatic carcinoma patients who underwent ALPPS combined with Lap-MWA for the liver resection from January 2019 to June 2021 in the Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery of Qinzhou First People’s Hospital. The patients had insufficient future liver remnant (FLR) and different degrees of liver cirrhosis. The 1-stage ALPPS was to perform after the laparoscopic-assisted ligation of the portal vein of the loaded tumor. At the same time, the microwave ablation was used for the liver parenchyma segmentation under the guidance of laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) without separating liver parenchyma. Other steps were the same as classic ALPPS. Results All the 12 patients successfully completed the operation. The 1-stage ALPPS lasted 90–130 min, (110.25±35.34) min; the blood loss was 80–140 mL, (100.37±42.24) mL. The interval between 2 stages was 12–16 d, (14.0±2.5) d. The FLR/standard liver volume (SLV) increased to (58.00±3.30) %. The 2-stage ALPPS lasted 120–180 min, (150±30) min; the blood loss was 300–1 200 mL, (453.50±107.70) mL; the hospital stay after 2 stages of ALPPS operations was 11–16 d, (14±2) d. Among all patients, 4 U of leukocyte suspension was transfused in 1 patient, and pleural ascites occurred in 3 patients. There were no serious complications such as liver failure and severe infection, and no death cases. The total hospital stay was 14–22 d, (17±3) d. After the 1-stage ALPPS, the total bilirubin, white blood cells, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase level increased (P＜0.05), and total bilirubin and white blood cells gradually returned to the normal level on the 5th day after 1-stage ALPPS. On the 1st day after finishing the 2-stage ALPPS, albumin and hemoglobin decreased, while white blood cells, total bilirubin, prothrombin time and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase increased in varying degrees (P<0.05). And on the 5th day after the 2-stage ALPPS, all indicators gradually returned to normal. All the patients were followed up for 6–30 months, (20±6) months. Two patients died of tumor recurrence and metastasis at 6.2 months and 13 months after the surgery, respectively. No recurrence was found in other patients, and their life quality was good. Conclusion Preliminary results of this study indicate that ALPPS combined with Lap-MWA is safe and effective for the treatment of unresectable primary hepatic carcinoma.
This paper explored the feasibility of using ultrasonic Nakagami statistic parameter imaging to evaluate the thermal lesion induced by microwave ablation (MWA) in porcine models. In this paper, thermal lesions were induced in livers and kidneys in 5 swines using a clinical MWA system. During this treatment progress, ultrasonic radiofrequency (RF) data were collected. The dynamic changes of Nakagami parameter in the thermal lesion were calculated, and the ultrasonic B-mode images and Nakagami images were reconstructed simultaneously. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the thermal lesion and the surrounding normal tissue was calculated over the MWA procedure. After MWA, a bright hyperechoic region appeared in the ultrasonic Nakagami image as an indicator of the thermal lesion and this bright spot enlarged with lesion development during MWA exposure. The mean value of Nakagami parameter in the liver and kidney increased from 0.78 and 0.79 before treatment to 0.91 and 0.92 after treatment, respectively. During MWA exposure, the mean values of CNR calculated from the Nakagami parameter increased from 0.49 to 1.13 in the porcine liver and increased from 0.51 to 0.85 in the kidney, which were both higher than those calculated from the B-mode images. This in vivo study on porcine models suggested that the ultrasonic Nakagami imaging may provide an alternative modality for monitoring MWA treatment.