[The influence of cryosurgery on great vessels and heart in patients with lung cancer].
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the effects of cryosurgery on the great vessels and heart in patients with lung cancer.


METHODS
At first, the changes of rabbit cervical artery were observed during and after cryosurgery. Then, CT-guided percutaneous lung cryotherapy (PLC) was performed in 69 patients with 73 pulmonary masses encroaching on the great vessels and heart using 2 or 3 mm cryoprobes.


RESULTS
In animal model, rabbit cervical artery looked well and blood flow was normal after ice thawing. In patients with lung cancer, CT-visualized immediate ice formation appeared beyond tumor margins within 10 minutes after cryotherapy. No major bleeding or other severe sequelae was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
CT-guided PLC is a promising treatment for pulmonary neoplasms invading or abutting the great vessels or heart, as well as showing minimal procedural complications or treatment sequelae.
Endocare's Cryocare Center, Coal and Mining General Hospital, Beijing 100028, P.R.China.
Hongwu
H
Wang
Jing
J
Liu