Complications of high intensity focused ultrasound in patients with recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the local and systemic complications of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for patients with recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors.


METHODS
From Aug 2001 to Aug 2004, 17 patients with recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors were enrolled in this study. Real-time sonography was taken, and vital signs, liver and kidney function, skin burns, local reactions, and systemic effects were observed and recorded before, during, and after HIFU. CT and MRI were also taken before and after HIFU.


RESULTS
All 17 patients had skin burns and pain in the treatment region; the next common complication was neurapraxia of the stomach and intestines to variable degrees. The other local and systemic complications were relatively rare. Severe complications were present in two patients; one developed a superior mesenteric artery infarction resulting in necrosis of the entire small intestines, and the other one suffered from a perforation in terminal ileum due to HIFU treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Although HIFU is a one of noninvasive treatments for the recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors, there are still some common and severe complications which need serious consideration.
Li
Jian-Jun
JJ
Department of HIFU, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, National Key Laboratory of Oncology, 651, Dongfengdong Road, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China. ocwaves@tom.com
Xu
Guo-Liang
GL
Gu
Mo-Fa
MF
Luo
Guang-Yu
GY
Rong
Zhang
Z
Wu
Pei-Hong
PH
Xia
Jian-Chuan
JC
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods