Open wound and cutaneous fistulization after microwave ablation of hepatocarcinoma

A 64-year-old male with a history of HBV Child A MELD 9 cirrhosis on treatment with oral entecavir 0.5 mg/day. Diagnosed with 2 cm hepatocarcinoma in segment 6 treated by radiofrequency in April 2016 with complete response until June 2021, when an increase in the size of the solid component of the treated lesion (28 x 20 mm in diameter) was detected with early enhancement after the administration of paramagnetic contrast, suggestive of local tumor recurrence. Microwave ablation is a percutaneous thermal treatment that creates an electromagnetic field around a monopolar electrode, inducing homogeneous heating and coagulative tissue necrosis. It allows treating several lesions simultaneously and in less time than radiofrequency ablation with low morbidity and mortality. The incidence of adverse events ranges between 2.6% and 7.5%. The most frequent complications are bleeding and hematoma. Ablation tract fistulization is an infrequent complication, with a higher risk of appearing in subcapsular or peripheral hepatic lesions, as was the case in our patient.