Local Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: 2024 Expert Consensus-Based Practical Recommendations of the Korean Liver Cancer Association.

Local ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma, a non-surgical option that directly targets and destroys tumor cells, has advanced significantly since the 1990s. Therapies with different energy sources, such as radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, and cryoablation, employ different mechanisms to induce tumor necrosis. The precision, safety, and effectiveness of these therapies have increased with advances in guiding technologies and device improvements.

Local ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: 2024 expert consensus-based practical recommendation of the Korean Liver Cancer Association.

Local ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a non-surgical option that directly targets and destroys tumor cells, has advanced significantly since the 1990s. Therapies with different energy sources, such as radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, and cryoablation, employ different mechanisms to induce tumor necrosis. The precision, safety, and effectiveness of these therapies have increased with advances in guiding technologies and device improvements.

Local Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: 2024 Expert Consensus-Based Practical Recommendations of the Korean Liver Cancer Association.

Local ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a non-surgical option that directly targets and destroys tumor cells, has advanced significantly since the 1990s. Therapies with different energy sources, such as radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, and cryoablation, employ different mechanisms to induce tumor necrosis. The precision, safety, and effectiveness of these therapies have increased with advances in guiding technologies and device improvements.

No-Touch Radiofrequency Ablation for Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma: 2023 Korean Society of Image-Guided Tumor Ablation Guidelines.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been widely used to manage hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) equal to or smaller than 3 cm. No-touch RFA has gained attention and has recently been implemented in local ablation therapy for HCCs, despite its technical complexity, as it provides improved local tumor control compared to conventional tumor-puncturing RFA. This article presents the practice guidelines for performing no-touch RFA for HCCs, which have been endorsed by the Korean Society of Image-Guided Tumor Ablation (KSITA).

[Adrenal Vein Sampling in Primary Aldosteronism: A Pictorial Essay for Optimal Left-Side Sampling].

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a curable cause of hypertension. Recent studies have revealed that the actual prevalence of PA is higher than previously recognized. Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is an essential diagnostic procedure for revealing the cause of PA and determining the treatment plan.

Ruptured Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm in a Patient With Celiac Artery Dissection: A Case Report.

Unlike other visceral artery aneurysms, pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms (PDAAs) should be treated regardless of their size. There are no reports on PDAA associated with celiac artery (CA) dissection. We, here, report the case of a patient with a ruptured PDAA with concomitant CA dissection.

Evaluation of Pretreatment Albumin-Bilirubin Grade as a Better Prognostic Factor Compared to Child-Pugh Classification in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Radiotherapy.

This study assessed the use of pretreatment albumin--bilirubin (ALBI) grade as a prognostic factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiotherapy (RT). Patients who underwent RT following TACE between January 2011 and December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The survival outcomes of patients in regard to the ALBI grade and Child-Pugh (C-P) classification were evaluated.

Risk factors for stent occlusion after catheter-directed thrombolysis and iliac vein stenting in the treatment of May-Thurner syndrome with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for stent occlusion in patients with iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) secondary to May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) and iliac vein stenting.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 44 patients who underwent CDT and iliac vein stenting for MTS with iliofemoral DVT between October 2001 and March 2018. MTS was diagnosed based on extrinsic compression of the left common iliac vein (CIV) by the overlying right common iliac artery (CIA) on computed tomography (CT).

Performance of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) renal arteriography for renal tumor embolization.

Objectives: To evaluate tumor feeders, image quality, and performance of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) renal arteriography for renal tumor embolization.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with renal tumors were included in this study. The performance of CBCT renal arteriography was classified into three groups: group A, all tumor feeders could be confirmed solely based on the CBCT maximum intensity projection (MIP); group B, all feeders were detected in CBCT MIP, but there were some possible feeders which needed to be confirmed with selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA); and group C, tumor feeders were not detected in CBCT MIP, hence, the feeder was detected based on selective DSA.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of cone-beam CT-guided radiofrequency ablation for pulmonary metastases in colorectal cancer patients.

Aim: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been increasingly used for the treatment of pulmonary metastases in various malignancies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed to establish the safety and efficacy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided RFA in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer between 2016 and 2019, and the prognostic factors of local tumor control were assessed.

Results: A total of 31 patients with colorectal cancer underwent 48 sessions of lung RFA.

Complete response to local therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with lung metastasis: a case report.

The concept of oligometastasis is widely accepted for various types of solid tumors; accordingly, better outcomes can be anticipated with aggressive local interventions. The treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with extrahepatic metastasis is systemic therapy. However, treatment responses to systemic therapy are poor.

Comparison of Clinical Efficacy and Safety between 70-150 µm and 100-300 µm Doxorubicin Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of 70-150 μm doxorubicin drug-eluting bead (DEB) transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with those of 100-300 μm DEB-TACE as first-line treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 72 patients who underwent TACE with 70-150 μm DEBs ( = 40) or 100-300 μm DEBs ( = 32) for HCC in a tertiary center between March 2013 and May 2019. Initial treatment response and adverse events were assessed using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.

Early experience with laparoscopic treatment of liver tumors using a separable cluster electrode with a no-touch technique.

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the best curative treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma in selected patients, and this procedure can be applied either percutaneously or laparoscopically. Laparoscopic RFA has the benefit of direct visual control of the RFA procedure. Cluster electrodes (Octopus RF electrodes) can create a common ablation zone.

Comparative Assessment and External Validation of Hepatic Steatosis Formulae in a Community-Based Setting.

Several hepatic steatosis formulae have been validated in various cohorts using ultrasonography. However, none of these studies has been validated in a community-based setting using the gold standard method. Thus, the aim of this study was to externally validate hepatic steatosis formulae in community-based settings using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Surgical outcomes of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in acute cholecystitis grade II patients according to time of surgery.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate timing for surgical intervention for Grade II acute cholecystitis patients. The study compares the clinical outcomes of patients in Group A, who were treated with early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) within the first two weeks of hospitalization, and Group B, treated with delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) after recovering from symptoms and that received conservative treatment and were discharged for more than two weeks.

Methods: From November 2011 to June 2019, from a total of 196 acute cholecystitis patients that received percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) insertion, we conducted a retrospective review of the group that received early laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 2 weeks and the group that received delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Superselective vesical artery embolization for intractable bladder hemorrhage related to pelvic malignancy.

Background: Intractable bladder hemorrhage from pelvic malignancy can be potentially life-threatening and its management can be a challenging clinical problem.

Purpose: To evaluate safety, efficacy, and clinical outcome of superselective vesical artery embolization for the control of intractable bladder hemorrhage from pelvic malignancy.

Material And Methods: Between January 2010 and September 2018, 20 patients underwent superselective vesical artery embolization for intractable hematuria secondary to pelvic malignancy arising from or invading the bladder.

Complications after 100 sessions of cone-beam computed tomography-guided lung radiofrequency ablation: a single-center, retrospective experience.

To evaluate complications after consecutive 100 sessions of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of lung tumors A retrospective study was conducted from January 2016 and October 2018. All procedures were performed using a CBCT virtual navigation guidance system, combining three-dimentional CBCT, needle planning software, and real-time fluoroscopy. Complications were evaluated for each RFA session in 63 consecutive patients (31 male, 32 female; mean age 58.

Radiofrequency ablation of subcapsular lesions with internally cooled perfusion electrode: ex vivo study.

Purpose: To compare the efficiency of an internally cooled perfusion (ICP) electrode and an internally cooled (IC) electrode for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of subscapular lesions.

Material And Methods: Using 200 W generator and ICP electrode (group A,  = 10) or 15 gauge or 17 gauge IC electrode (group B,  = 10 and group C,  = 10), RFA was applied to the bovine liver for 12 min. Each electrode was inserted at a 3 cm depth into the liver block, and the proximal end of the active exposure portion of each electrode was located at a capsule of the liver block.

Association of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy with Hemoglobin Levels in Nonanemic and Anemic Populations.

Introduction: It is established that anemia leads to adaptive changes in cardiac geometry including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, published data are still scarce regarding the association of LVH with normal-range hemoglobin levels.

Objective: To evaluate the association between hemoglobin level and LVH in subjects with or without anemia.

Comparison of Embolic Protection with Proximal and Distal Protection Devices: Periprocedural Complications, Clinical Outcomes, and Cerebral Embolic Lesions on Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objective: Two main types of embolic protection devices have been used during carotid artery stenting (CAS): distal protection devices (DPDs) and proximal protection devices (PPDs). We compared the complications, clinical outcomes, and new ischemic lesions on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) studies between patients who had undergone CAS using a DPD or PPD.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the data from patients who had undergone CAS from March 2010 to January 2016.

Visceral adiposity index and longitudinal risk of incident metabolic syndrome: Korean genome and epidemiology study (KoGES).

Available data is insufficient to identify the influence of visceral adiposity assessed by visceral adiposity index (VAI) on incident MetS. This study was to evaluate the association of VAI with incident MetS. In a cohort of Korean genome epidemiology study, 5,807 free of MetS were followed-up for 10 years.

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Partial Splenic Embolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Thrombocytopenia Who Underwent Transarterial Chemoembolization.

Background: Performing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is difficult with the occurrence of thrombocytopenia in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of partial splenic embolization (PSE) combined with TACE in patients with HCC with severe thrombocytopenia related to splenomegaly.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study consisting of 18 HCC patients with severe thrombocytopenia (< 50 × 10⁹/L) who underwent PSE concurrently with TACE (PSE group) and 72 controls who underwent TACE alone (non-PSE group).

Levels of Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure and Their Relation to Incident Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), and one third of individuals with hypertension simultaneously have MetS. However, the evidence is still unclear regarding the predictive ability of BP for incident MetS.

Methods: In total, 5,809 Koreans without baseline MetS were grouped by baseline systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) and monitored for 10 years to identify incident MetS.

In Vitro Bovine Liver Experiment of Cisplatin-Infused and Normal Saline-Infused Radiofrequency Ablation with an Internally Cooled Perfusion Electrode.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of cisplatin-infused and normal saline-infused radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with internally cooled perfusion (ICP) electrode.

Materials And Methods: Using a 200 W generator, thirty ablation zones were created and divided into three groups of 10 each as follows: group A, RFA alone with 16 gauge monopolar internally cooled (IC) electrode; group B, cisplatin-infused RFA with 16 gauge ICP electrode; and group C, normal saline-infused RFA with 16 gauge ICP electrode. Radiofrequency was applied to the explanted bovine liver for 12 min.