Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for abdominal wall metastatic tumors: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided microwave (MW) ablation for abdominal wall metastatic tumors.


METHODS
From August 2007 to December 2010, a total of 11 patients with 23 abdominal wall nodules (diameter 2.59 cm ± 1.11 cm, range 1.3 cm to 5.0 cm) were treated with MW ablation. One antenna was inserted into the center of tumors less than 1.7 cm, and multiple antennae were inserted simultaneously into tumors 1.7 cm or larger. A 21 gauge thermocouple was inserted near important organs which required protection (such as bowel or gallbladder) for real-time temperature monitoring during MW ablation. Treatment outcome was observed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [or computed tomography (CT)] during follow-up.


RESULTS
MW ablation was well tolerated by all patients. Six patients with 11 nodules had 1 thermocouple inserted near important organs for real-time temperature monitoring and the maximum temperature was 56 °C. Major complications included mild pain (54.5%), post-ablation fever (100%) and abdominal wall edema (25%). All 23 tumors (100%) in this group were completely ablated, and no residual tumor or local recurrence was observed at a median follow-up of 13 mo (range 1 to 32 mo). The ablation zone was well defined on contrast-enhanced imaging (contrast-enhanced CT, MRI and/or contrast-enhanced ultrasound) and gradually shrank with time.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound-guided MW ablation may be a feasible, safe and effective treatment for abdominal wall metastatic tumors in selected patients.
Department of Interventional Ultrasound, The General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China.
Cai
C
Qi
Xiao-Ling
XL
Yu
Ping
P
Liang
Zhi-Gang
ZG
Cheng
Fang-Yi
FY
Liu
Zhi-Yu
ZY
Han
Jie
J
Yu
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional