Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of adrenal metastasis: preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility, safety and therapeutic effects of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave (MW) ablation in the treatment of adrenal metastasis.


METHODS
From May 2006 to April 2008, five consecutive patients with pathologically proven unilateral adrenal metastases with a diameter of 2.3 to 4.5 cm were treated by US-guided percutaneous MW ablation. Four metastases were in the right side, one metastasis was in the left side. For each application, two cooled-shaft needle antennae were percutaneously inserted into the tumour under real-time US guidance. One thermocouple needle was inserted at the periphery of the tumour to monitor temperature in real-time during MW ablation. MW emission was ended when the entire tumour became hyperechoic and the temperature at the tumour border reached 54 degrees C for at least 3 min. Technical success was defined as loss of tumour enhancement on contrast-enhanced imagings.


RESULTS
All adrenal metastases were completely ablated after scheduled MW ablation sessions (mean, 1.2 sessions, range, 1 to 2 sessions). No major complications related to MW ablation occurred. In a median follow-up of 19 months (range 8 to 31 months), persistent absence of tumour enhancement was observed in the treated tumour in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
US-guided percutaneous MW ablation appears to be a safe and effective therapy in selected adrenal metastasis.
Wang
Yang
Y
Department of Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
Liang
Ping
P
Yu
Xiaoling
X
Cheng
Zhigang
Z
Yu
Jie
J
Dong
Jun
J
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation*