Changes in interleukin-1β and 6 after hepatic microwave tissue ablation compared with radiofrequency, cryotherapy and

Fateh Ahmad1, Gianpiero Gravante, Neil Bhardwaj

  • 1Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK.

Abstract

Insights

Microwave tissue ablation (MTA) shows a decreased cytokine response and better tolerance compared to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryotherapy (CRYO) in large-volume liver procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatobiliary surgery
  • Minimally invasive therapies
  • Inflammatory response

Background:

  • Comparing cytokine profiles of microwave tissue ablation (MTA) with hepatic resection, cryotherapy (CRYO), and radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
  • Assessing cytokine production and inflammatory zones across different ablation volumes and techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate and compare the systemic inflammatory response, specifically cytokine changes, following various liver ablation techniques.
  • To determine the safety and tolerability of MTA in comparison to RFA and CRYO.

Main Methods:

  • Live rats underwent hepatic tissue ablation using MTA, surgical resection, CRYO, or RFA at varying volumes (15%, 33%, 66%).
  • Serum samples were analyzed for interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 at multiple time points post-ablation.

Main Results:

  • CRYO and RFA induced significantly higher levels of IL-1β and IL-6 compared to MTA and hepatic resection.
  • High-volume CRYO and RFA (66%) led to mortality, while MTA was well-tolerated.
  • No correlation was found between transitional inflammatory zone size and cytokine levels.

Conclusions:

  • Large-volume MTA is associated with a significantly reduced cytokine response.
  • MTA is better tolerated and demonstrates a more favorable inflammatory profile than RFA and CRYO for large hepatic volume ablation.

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