Potential application of ultrasound-guided thermal ablation in rare liver tumors

With the advances of imaging techniques, the detection rate of rare liver tumor is increased. However, the therapeutic strategies of the rare liver tumors remain limited.

We analyzed twelve pathologically confirmed rare liver tumors in 8 patients. All of the patients underwent ultrasound (US) guided biopsy and subsequent thermal ablation. The tumors were ablated according to the preoperative plans and monitored by real-time US. CT/MRI fused with contrast enhanced US (CEUS) or three-dimensional (3D) US-CEUS images were used to guide and assess the ablation zone more accurately during thermal ablation. The rate of technical efficacy was assessed based on the contrast-enhance CT/MRI (CECT/MRI) results one month after ablation. Local tumor progression (LTP), recurrence and complications were followed up and recorded.

Among these twelve nodules, nine were subject to US-guided thermal ablation, whereas the other three inconspicuous nodules were subject to CEUS-guided thermal ablation. Intra-procedure CT/MRI-CEUS or 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging assessments demonstrated that the ablation zone sufficiently covered the original tumor, and no immediate supplementary ablation was required. Additionally, no major complications were observed during the follow-up period. The postoperative CECT/MRI confirmed that the technique success rate was 100%. Within the surveillance period of 13 months, no LTP or recurrence was noted.

US-guided thermal ablation was feasible and safe for rare liver tumors. The use of fusion imaging technique might make US-guided thermal ablation as effective as surgical resection, and this technique might serve as a potential therapeutic modality for rare liver tumors in the future.