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Myonecrosis following deep pelvic hyperthermia
M D Sapozink1, P Gibbs, F A Gibbs
1Department of Radiology, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City 84132.
Summary
Severe abdominal wall myonecrosis occurred after annular phased array (AA) deep heating for pelvic tumors. This rare complication highlights potential risks of AA device use in hyperthermia cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Physics
- Pathology
Background:
- Hyperthermia therapy is used for recurrent pelvic tumors.
- Annular phased array (AA) devices deliver deep heating for cancer treatment.
- Previous treatments at this institution showed no similar complications.
Observation:
- A patient developed severe myonecrosis of the inferior anterior abdominal wall.
- This complication followed treatment with an AA deep heating device.
- The patient had a recurrent pelvic tumor.
Findings:
- Radiographic and histopathological confirmation of muscle necrosis.
- Elevated serum enzymes indicated muscular injury.
- This severe complication is rare, not seen in 107 prior patients (368 sessions).
Implications:
- Clinical trials using AA or similar deep heating devices require careful risk assessment.
- Patient monitoring for potential soft tissue injury is crucial.
- Further research into device safety and patient selection is warranted.