Percutaneous image guided electrochemotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: technological advancement
Article Category: Research Article
Published Online: Jun 20, 2020
Page range: 347 - 352
Received: May 14, 2020
Accepted: Jun 01, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2020-0038
© 2020 Mihajlo Djokic, Rok Dezman, Maja Cemazar, Miha Stabuc, Miha Petric, Lojze M. Smid, Rado Jansa, Bostjan Plesnik, Masa Bosnjak, Ursa Lampreht Tratar, Blaz Trotovsek, Bor Kos, Damijan Miklavcic, Gregor Sersa, Peter Popovic, published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
Background
Electrochemotherapy is an effective treatment of colorectal liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during open surgery. The minimally invasive percutaneous approach of electrochemotherapy has already been performed but not on HCC. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of electrochemotherapy with percutaneous approach on HCC.
Patient and methods
The patient had undergone the transarterial chemoembolization and microwave ablation of multifocal HCC in segments III, V and VI. In follow-up a new lesion was identified in segment III, and recognized by multidisciplinary team to be suitable for minimally invasive percutaneous electrochemotherapy. The treatment was performed with long needle electrodes inserted by the aid of image guidance.
Results
The insertion of electrodes was feasible, and the treatment proved safe and effective, as demonstrated by control magnetic resonance imaging.
Conclusions
Minimally invasive, image guided percutaneous electrochemotherapy is feasible, safe and effective in treatment of HCC.