High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation as a bridging therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients awaiting liver transplantation.
The scarcity of liver grafts in Asia leads to a significant dropout of patients from liver transplant waiting lists, particularly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and a low model for end-stage liver disease score. In order to reduce dropping out, different bridging therapies are employed. We report the use of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation as a bridging therapy for a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma of stage two and an extremely low platelet count (20X109/L). The ablation was successful. Blood tests showed that his liver function was similar before and after the treatment. No adhesion was encountered in the liver transplantation performed six months later.
Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. tantocheung@hotmail.com
Tan To
TT
Cheung
Kenneth S H
KS
Chok
Regina C L
RC
Lo
William W
WW
Sharr
See Ching
SC
Chan
Ronnie T P
RT
Poon
Sheung Tat
ST
Fan
Chung Mau
CM
Lo
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D057086:High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged