Ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy of neck cysts as an alternative to surgery

Summary Introduction: Some extrathyroidal cervical cystic lesions can be treated in selected situations by minimally invasive, low-risk method – ultrasound--guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (US-PEIT). Here we present 6 cases of neck cysts of various origins – ranula, thyroglossal duct cyst, branchial cleft cyst, midline neck cyst of the pyramidal lobe and dermoid cyst. Method and material: The cohort consisted of 6 patients (mean age 58 ± 13.3 years), who were followed for recurrent cervical cysts located outside the thyroid gland. The cysts were visible, palpable, aesthetically unpleasant and also mechanically compressing the surrounding tissue. After repeated evacuations, they filled in again. The patients repeatedly refused the recommended surgery and demanded an alternative solution. US-PEIT of thyroid cysts is used worldwide as a full-fledged alternative to surgical treatment. We used the same procedure for the treatment of presented neck cysts. Results: The initial volume of cysts was 2–35 mL (mean 17.7 mL); the patients underwent 1–6 sclerotization sessions (mean 3.6). The patients were followed for 12 months; the final volume of solid residue was 0.1–2 mL (mean 1 mL) representing volume reduction by 80–99% (mean 92%). Therapeutic success (volume reduction > 50%) was achieved in all patients. Conclusion: US-PEIT of cervical cysts as an alternative to surgery can be used especially in elderly patients with increased surgical risk or in patients refusing surgery. In middle-aged and older adults, the possibility of a necrotic metastatic lymph node should always be considered. Therefore, a benign cytological examination and an unsuspecting ultrasonographic and CT finding are the basic conditions before performing the ethanol ablation. Key words neck cysts – ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol injection therapy

Rescue radiofrequency ablation or percutaneous ethanol injection: a strategy for failed RALPPS stage-1 in patients with cirrhosis-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Background The future liver remnant (FLR) faces a risk of poor growth in patients with cirrhosis-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after stage-1 radiofrequency-assisted ALPPS (RALPPS). The present study presents a strategy to trigger further FLR growth using supplementary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). Methods At RALPPS stage-1 the portal vein branch was ligated, followed by intraoperative RFA creating a coagulated avascular area between the FLR and the deportalized lobes. During the interstage period, patients not achieving sufficient liver size (≥ 40%) within 2–3 weeks underwent additional percutaneous RFA/PEI of the deportalized lobes (rescue RFA/PEI) in an attempt to further stimulate FLR growth. Results Seven patients underwent rescue RFA/PEI after RALPPS stage-1. In total five RFAs and eight PEIs were applied in these patients. The kinetic growth rate (KGR) was highest the first week after RALPPS stage-1 (10%, range − 1% to 15%), and then dropped to 1.5% (0–9%) in the second week (p < 0.05). With rescue RFA/PEI applied, KGR increased significantly to 4% (2–5%) compared with that before the rescue procedures (p < 0.05). Five patients proceeded to RALPPS stage-2. Two patients failed: In one patient the FLR remained at a constant level even after four rescue PEIs. The other patient developed metastasis. Except one patient died after RALPPS stage-2, no severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIb) occurred among remaining six patients. Conclusions Rescue RFA/PEI may provide an alternative to trigger further growth of the FLR in patients with cirrhosis-related HCC showing insufficient FLR after RALPPS stage-1. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.

Long-term survival of 11 years with multidisciplinary therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis to the ovary and peritoneum: a case report

We herein report a rare case of HCC metastases to the ovary and peritoneum in a 61-year-old female patient who has achieved 11-year survival with multidisciplinary therapy. The patient was diagnosed with HCC during balloon angioplasty performed for Budd–Chiari syndrome in 1994 and underwent partial hepatectomy twice. Five years after the second hepatectomy, allochronic recurrence of a single nodule detected in S8 was treated by radiofrequency ablation, followed by percutaneous ethanol injection therapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy. However, her α-fetoprotein level rose to 1862 ng/mL within one year and computed tomography revealed a large pelvic tumor suggesting HCC metastasis to the ovary. The subsequent laparotomy revealed one 11-cm left ovarian tumor, one small right ovarian nodule, and numerous peritoneal nodules. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and peritoneal resection of as many nodules as possible were performed. Combination therapy with intravenous 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin and ramucirumab monotherapy effectively suppressed tumor progression with maintenance of hepatic functional reserve, and she has achieved long-term survival of 11 years, illustrating that multidisciplinary therapy with favorable hepatic functional reserve maintenance can contribute to long-term survival in HCC with extrahepatic spread.

Percutaneous Polidocanol Injection as an Alternative Treatment in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Oligometastasis

Introduction: Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) presents central lymph node metastasis in 20-50% and lateral in 12-86% of patients, the treatment of choice is surgical reintervention but it carries a higher risk of complications secondary to fibrosis formation in the surgical bed. Alternative nonsurgical therapies such as percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), radiofrequency or laser ablation have been described. Objective: To report a case of oligometastasis in CDT which underwent percutaneous polidocanol injection (PPI). Clinical Case: A 35-year-old female who underwent a total thyroidectomy in 06-2019 for papillary thyroid cancer (AJCC: stage I/ ATA: intermediate risk), and ablative dose of 150 mCi I131, under treatment with levothyroxine 150 mcg/d. Hospitalized 02-2020 for progressive dysphonia of 2 months of evolution, with studies of TSH 0.04 mIU/ml, TgAb 13 IU/ml, Tg 0.5 ng/ml and neck USG: right lymph node level III of 0.97 cm in short axis, suspected of malignancy. Tg washout 4743.72 ng/ml (positive), 1cc of 1% polidocanol is administered, guided by USG. 7 days later with 0.90 cm in short axis, a second dose of 1% polidocanol was administered and a new Tg washout was taken, 2.4 ng/ml (indeterminate). She was reevaluated in the first and fourth months of the procedure, with 0.10 cm in the short axis and complete disappearance of the lesion, respectively. Control studies at the fourth month of TgAb 13 IU/ml, Tg 0.4 ng/ml. Discussion: PEI is described for thyroid cysts and adenomas and for cervical lymph node metastases, this is a minimally invasive procedure in the treatment of lesions smaller than 10 mm but requires multiple sessions and it can cause pain due to extravasation, skin necrosis and damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It requires a follow-up time of up to 65 months, producing a reduction in serum Tg less than 2.4 ng/ml, a decrease in the size of the lesion and disappearance in 46% of the cases. In our center we have experience with PPI in thyroid cysts and adenomas since 2017, this requires fewer sessions and a lower dose, obtaining results of volume reduction in thyroid cysts of 80%. In this case we observed a reduction of 90% in the first month and disappearance in the fourth month, with a significant decrease in Tg washout from the first administration. Conclusion: Polidocanol is safe and effective so it should be considered in the treatment of oligometastasis in DTC.

Ultrasound Guided Percutaneous Ethanol Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodule: A Study From a Tertiary Hospital in Eastern India

Introduction: Ultrasound guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) of benign thyroid nodule is an easy and effective procedure particularly in cystic and predominantly cystic nodule. Aims: To evaluate efficacy and safety of PEI in managing purely cystic and mixed cystic and solid thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: Patients of either sex presented with solitary purely cystic benign thyroid nodule, solitary benign mixed with predominantly cystic (&gt;50% of total volume) thyroid nodule, solitary benign mixed with predominantly solid (&gt;50% of total volume) thyroid nodule, solitary solid thyroid nodule were included in this study. Patients who had a nodule BETHESDA 3 and above, pregnancy, patients with critical or terminal illness, patients with other malignancies, multinodular lesions of thyroid, patients with raised T3, T4 and/ or suppressed TSH level were excluded from the study. One hundred sixty patients presenting with thyroid nodule were initially evaluated with thyroid function test and USG. Only those patients with euthyroid solitary thyroid nodules are subjected for fine needle aspiration (FNA). Nodules under BETHESDA 2 are considered for US guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). One hundred twenty-three patients were excluded because of various reasons. Finally ethanol ablation was done in 37 patients. Benign, purely cystic and mixed thyroid nodules were aspirated under ultrasonography guidance. Sterile absolute alcohol (99.99%) (50% of volume aspirated/ maximum 10 ml) was injected and reviewed after 2, 5and 7 months. In case of solid nodule alcohol (50% of nodule volume) was injected. A reduction in volume is calculated at each follow up visit. An adequate response is considered as ≥50 percent reduction in size from baseline after 7 months. If the reduction is &lt;50%, then a second session of absolute ethanol injection is given. Again, patients were similarly followed up after 2, 5 and 7 months. Results: Thirty seven patients underwent PEI. Thirty three patients were considered for final analysis (4 lost to follow up). Response rate of PEI for purely cystic nodule was 100.0% and the overall response rate for mixed nodule was 53.57%. None of the solid nodule responded to PEI even after second session. Among the responder in the mixed nodules, 93.33% responded after first session of PEI. Minor complications like headache occurred in 54.1% patients in the first session. Transient pain at injection site were complained by 86.5% and 37.8% patients in the first and second session respectively. Nausea and vomiting were complained by 18.9% and 16.2% patients in the first and second session respectively. Conclusions: PEI is an effective and safe for purely cystic and mixed thyroid nodules. It is a relatively safe and less invasive procedure from management of benign solitary cystic and mixed thyroid nodules.

Percutaneous Ethanol Injection as Treatment for Thyroid Cystic Nodules

Background: Thyroid cystic nodules are common and frequently benign. Aspiration of thyroid cyst decreases compression symptoms and volume. However, they commonly recur, and usually, surgery is required for definitive treatment. A less invasive approach, done less frequent, is percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), which has shown fewer recurrences than simple aspiration and is well-tolerated with few side effects. We present 2 patients that where treated in our clinic with PEI. Clinical Case: 41-year-old female with a history of primary hypothyroidism on Levothyroxine, with neck discomfort, and no risk factors for thyroid cancer had a cystic thyroid nodule 1.5 x 1.8 x 2.8 cm over the right thyroid lobule. Cytology results reported as Bethesda II. One year later, her thyroid nodule was 1.9 x 2.6 x 3.3 cm. Underwent FNA and 6 cc of dark brown liquid was drained from the cyst which was reported again as Bethesda II. The patient was monitored with thyroid ultrasound after a year, and the cystic nodule was 2.2 x 2.9 x 3.1 cm. PEI was decided as the next approach. After six cc was aspired, 0.5 cc of desiccated ethanol was injected into the remained cystic. Eight months after PEI, cystic size was 0.7 x 0.9 x 0.8 cm. The second case is a 40-year-old female who presented complaining of neck discomfort without changes in her voice. The patient did not have any risk factors for thyroid cancer. Thyroid ultrasound was done, which showed a 2.3 x 2.7 x 3.3 cm cyst on her right thyroid lobe. PEI was arranged and 9 cc of dark fluid was aspirated with a posterior injection of 0.5 cc of desiccated ethanol. Symptoms resolved, and the patient was lost to follow up. Five years later, she was seen again. Neck ultrasound showed a cyst of 0.4 x 0.6 x 0.8 cm on her right thyroid lobe. Neither of the two patients had a side effect associated, and the procedure was well tolerated. Conclusions: Percutaneous ethanol injection is a good alternative in the treatment for cystic thyroid nodules due to decrease in cystic size, which we observed that continued for five years of follow up in one of our patients. These will avoid frequent cystic aspiration secondary to recurrence or invasive surgical management.