Abstract
Background: We prospectively evaluated the security and efficiency of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) using combined computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US)-guided imaging in patients with BCLC-A1-3 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) given that they have shortcomings when used alone.Methods: We included 88 consecutive patients with single HCC who were treated with transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The patients were divided into 3 groups at random by using draw lots 1 week after TACE. The combination group (34 patients) received MWA under the guidance of CT and US, while the single group (CT group, 30 patients; US group, 24 patients) received MWA under the guidance of CT or US alone. Contrast-enhanced MRI or CT scans were performed in all patients 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the procedure. The study endpoints included the treatment time, puncture time, local recurrence rate, and adverse events.Results: The median diameter of the lesions was 3.1 (1.5-4.2) cm. The median treatment time was 38.6 (30-45) min and 36.7 (30-47) min in the combination group and US group, respectively. The median puncture number was 1.2 (1-2) times and 1.1 (1-2) times, respectively. Both were significantly less than in the CT group (45.8 min and 4.2 times). The local recurrence rate was 5.9% in the combination group, which was significantly inferior to that in the US group (16.7%). The grade C complication rate in the combination group was 5.9%, while it was 13.3% and 8.3% in the CT group and US group, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the combination group and CT group.Conclusions: Using CT- and US-guided microwave ablation in patients with BCLC-A1-3 hepatocellular carcinoma appeared to be much better in terms of security and efficiency than the use of microwave ablation under the guidance of CT or US alone.
Abstract No. 157 Computed tomography–guided percutaneous microwave ablation as bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma awaiting liver transplant: a single-center experience
