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Purpose: To assess cost-effectiveness of sclerotherapy for venous malformations (VMs) to improve patient quality of life (QOL).Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 28 patients with symptomatic VMs who underwent sclerotherapy. EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey were used to measure health-related QOL. Questionnaires were collected before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after sclerotherapy. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated using EQ-5D score as a measure of health utility. Medical costs obtained from the hospital accounting system and other costs of staff, drugs, materials, and angiographic equipment were calculated for each procedure. Cost-effectiveness was analyzed using incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) as the medical cost/gain of QALYs.Results: Median EQ-5D scores improved from 0.768 (range, 0.705-1) to 1 (range, 0.768-1) after 6 months (P = .023) and 1 (range, 0.768-1) after 12 months (P = .063). The gain of QALYs at 12 months was 0.043. The mean medical cost was ¥281,228 ($2,337). The pain group (baseline bodily pain scale of SF-36 score < 70) showed greater improvement in median EQ-5D score, from 0.705 (range, 0.661-0.768) to 0.768 (range, 0.705-1) after 6 months (P = .041) and 0.768 (range, 0.768-1) after 12 months (P = .049). ICER at 12 months was ¥6,600,483 ($54,840) in the overall group and decreased to ¥3,998,113 ($33,218) in the pain group, < ¥6,000,000 ($49,850), threshold for acceptance of a public health benefit in Japan, even accounting for 50% increase in costs.Conclusions: Sclerotherapy was cost-effective for improving QOL for symptomatic VMs, especially for patients with moderate to severe pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To retrospectively investigate the incidence of and risk factors for phrenic nerve injury after radiofrequency (RF) ablation of lung tumors. Materials and Methods: The study included 814 RF ablation procedures of lung tumors. To evaluate the development of phrenic nerve injury, chest radiographs obtained before and after the procedure were examined. Phrenic nerve injury was assumed to have developed if the diaphragmatic level was elevated after the procedure. To identify risk factors for phrenic nerve injury, multiple variables were compared between cases of phrenic nerve injury and randomly selected controls by using univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis was then performed to identify independent risk factors. Results: Evaluation of phrenic nerve injury from chest radiographs was possible after 786 procedures. Evidence of phrenic nerve injury developed after 10 cases (1.3%). Univariate analysis revealed that larger tumor size (≥ 20 mm; P = .014), proximity of the phrenic nerve to the tumor (< 10 mm; P < .001), the use of larger electrodes (array diameter or noninsulated tip length ≥ 3 cm; P = .001), and higher maximum power applied during ablation (≥ 100 W; P < .001) were significantly associated with the development of phrenic nerve injury. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the proximity of the phrenic nerve to the tumor (< 10 mm; P < .001) was a significant independent risk factor. Conclusions: The incidence of phrenic nerve injury after RF ablation was 1.3%. The proximity of the phrenic nerve to the tumor was an independent risk factor for phrenic nerve injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present report describes three cases of a bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP)–like reactive pneumonitis following radiofrequency (RF) ablation for lung cancer. The incidence of BOOP-like reactive pneumonitis after RF ablation at the authors'' institution was estimated to be approximately 0.4% (three of 840 sessions). The patients presented with nonspecific symptoms. Computed tomography images showed consolidation or ground-glass opacity in a peripheral-dominant distribution and/or patchy air-space opacities. The disease was nonresponsive to antibiotic therapy but responded favorably to pulse therapy of steroids. BOOP-like reactive pneumonitis should be recognized as a complication following lung RF ablation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate technical success, effectiveness, complications, patient survival, and prognostic factors with percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for pulmonary metastases resulting from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients from six institutions were included, with a total of 83 pulmonary metastases treated in 65 sessions. RF ablation was always performed percutaneously with computed tomography (CT) guidance. Primary endpoints were technical success and technique effectiveness. Technique effectiveness was evaluated based on sequential follow-up CT images. Secondary study endpoints were complications, patient survival, and determination of prognostic factors. Complications were classified as major or minor. Prognostic factors were determined by analyzing multiple variables with the log-rank test. Results: Technical success rate was 100%. Primary technique effectiveness rates were 92% each at 1, 2, and 3 years. Major and minor complications occurred after 16 (25%) and 23 (35%) of the 65 sessions, respectively. The median follow-up period was 20.5 months. Overall survival rates were 87% at 1 year and 57% each at 2 and 3 years (median and mean survival times, 37.7 mo and 43.2 mo, respectively). Significantly better survival rates were obtained in cases of (i) no viable intrahepatic recurrence (P < .001), (ii) Child-Pugh class A disease (P < .001), (iii) absence of liver cirrhosis (P < .001), (iv) absence of hepatitis C virus infection (P = .006), and (v) α-fetoprotein level of 10 ng/mL or lower (P = .007) at the time of RF ablation. Conclusions: RF ablation appears effective, with an acceptable safety profile, in selected patients with pulmonary metastases resulting from HCC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This report describes seven cases in which a pneumothorax was artificially created for relief from severe pain that occurred during radiofrequency (RF) ablation of peripheral lung tumors. In this procedure, the multitined probe surrounding the lesion was advanced into the chest, displacing the tines and the peripheral tumor away from the parietal pleura and the chest wall and resulting in pain relief in one patient; in the remaining patients, an intravenous catheter was also introduced, followed by the administration of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the space between the tumor and the parietal pleura. The pain decreased considerably immediately after this procedure. No complication related to the creation of the artificial pneumothorax was observed. Creation of an artificial pneumothorax is a safe and effective method for pain relief. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present report describes four cases of brachial nerve injury caused by percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of lung cancer. All the tumors were located in the lung apex. The patients developed symptoms indicative of a low brachial plexus injury during RF ablation or as long as 7 days afterward. These symptoms partially receded over time. The indications of RF ablation in patients with apical lung cancer should be carefully determined because of the risk of brachial nerve injury associated with the procedure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To determine which lung metastases are most likely to be treated effectively with a single radiofrequency (RF) application (defined as two separate applications of RF energy at a single electrode position) with a multitined expandable electrode with arrays 2 cm in diameter. Materials and Methods: The authors retrospectively evaluated 88 lung metastases (mean long-axis diameter, 0.9 cm) in 36 patients (20 men and 16 women; mean age, 57 years) treated with a single RF application with a multitined expandable electrode with arrays 2 cm in diameter. Based on follow-up computed tomographic examinations, the technique effectiveness rates were estimated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multiple variables were analyzed with the log-rank test to determine risk factors for local progression. Then, the technique effectiveness rates were again estimated when considering only metastases without risk factors and compared with those of other tumors. Results: The median follow-up period was 13.2 months (range, 6.0–24.7 months). Tumor size greater than 1.0 cm (P = .033) and contact with the bronchus with an inner diameter of at least 2 mm (P = .047) were the significant risk factors for local progression. The technique effectiveness rates for metastases 1.0 cm or smaller that were not in contact with the bronchus (n = 59) were 96% at 1 year and at 2 years; those rates were significantly (P = .010) higher than those in other tumors (n = 29). Conclusions: A single RF application with a multitined expandable electrode with arrays 2 cm in diameter is most likely to suffice in small (≤1 cm) lung metastases not in contact with a bronchus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by seizures, mental retardation, and various hamartomatous lesions, including renal angiomyolipoma (AML) and pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis. A 22-year-old woman with TSC presented with multiple renal AMLs exceeding 4 cm in diameter. She underwent two transcatheter embolization procedures with a mixture of ethanol and iodized oil. She complained of dyspnea and minor hemoptysis 4 and 6 hours after the procedure. Findings on chest radiographs and computed tomographic images were indicative of pulmonary edema. The patient was treated with conservative therapy. The possible causes of the pulmonary edema are discussed in the text. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The authors describe two cases of needle-tract seeding after percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for lung cancer. Needle biopsy was performed immediately before RF ablation in one case. In both cases, RF ablation was performed with a single internally cooled electrode, which was removed without cauterizing the electrode tract. The seeding nodule appeared 4 or 7 months after RF ablation and was then completely treated with a repeat RF ablation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the role of repeat radiofrequency (RF) ablation for local progression of lung tumors in local tumor control. Materials and Methods: From June 2001 to February 2007, the authors treated 797 lung tumors (primary lung cancer, n = 66; metastatic lung neoplasm, n = 731; mean tumor size, 1.7 cm) in 295 patients with RF ablation. After RF ablation, patients were followed-up with contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and thereafter at 6-month intervals. Local progression was observed in 117 of the 797 lung tumors. Fifty repeat RF ablation sessions were performed for 56 tumors (primary lung cancer, n = 9; metastatic lung neoplasm, n = 47; mean tumor size, 2.7 cm) in 46 patients (33 men, 13 women; mean age, 59.6 years). Repeat RF ablation was not performed for the remaining 61 locally progressing tumors because it was not presumed to provide survival benefit. For all 797 tumors, the overall primary and secondary technique effectiveness rates (TERs) after the first RF ablation were compared with each other. To determine the risk factors for local control with repeat RF ablation, multiple variables were analyzed. Next, local control with repeat RF ablation was evaluated for tumors with and tumors without risk factors. Results: The overall secondary TERs were significantly higher than the overall primary TERs (P < .00001). Tumor size of at least 2 cm at the first RF ablation (P = .045) and contact with bronchi (P = .045) or vessels (P = .048) were risk factors for local control with repeat RF ablation. The secondary TERs after the first RF ablation were 94% at 1 year, 68% at 2 years, and 55% at 3 years for tumors without risk factors and 60% at 1 year and 40% at 2 years for tumors with at least one risk factor. Among the 50 repeat RF ablation sessions, pneumothorax occurred in 13 sessions (26%), one of which necessitated chest tube placement; pleural effusion occurred in nine sessions (18%), all of which resolved spontaneously. Thermal injury of the brachial plexus occurred after one session. Conclusions: Repeat RF ablation improved the overall local control outcomes. In particular, it offered an opportunity to salvage tumors that had no risk factors but nevertheless progressed locally after the first RF ablation. Conversely, tumors with risk factors were not controlled sufficiently even after repeating the procedure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the midterm outcomes (eg, safety, local efficacy, and survival) after radiofrequency (RF) ablation for pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven patients (19 men and eight women; mean age, 61.6 years) with 49 pulmonary metastases (mean long axis diameter, 1.5 cm) from colorectal cancer underwent 41 percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided RF ablation sessions. Follow-up examinations were performed with CT by using contrast medium administration in all patients; positron emission tomography was performed in five patients. The safety of the procedure, local tumor control, and patient survival were evaluated. Multiple variables were analyzed to determine prognostic factors. Results: Pneumothorax occurred after 20 of the 41 sessions (49%), three of which necessitated chest tube placement. A small pleural effusion was found after six of the 41 sessions (15%). No major hemorrhagic event was observed. None of the patients died due to the procedure. The median follow-up period was 20.1 months (range, 11.2-47.7 months). The primary and secondary technique effectiveness rates were 72% and 85%, respectively, at 1 year, 56% and 62% at 2 years, and 56% and 62% at 3 years. The overall survival rates after RF ablation were 96% at 1 year, 54% at 2 years, and 48% at 3 years. The presence of extrapulmonary metastasis was determined to be a prognostic factor (P = .001). Conclusions: The midterm outcomes of percutaneous RF ablation for colorectal pulmonary metastases appear promising. The presence of extrapulmonary metastasis had an adverse effect on survival after RF ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The authors retrospectively evaluated the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors close to the heart or aorta. Materials and Methods: Forty-two tumors (mean diameter, 25 mm +/- 16; range, 5-73 mm) located less than 10 mm from the heart or aorta were treated with radiofrequency ablation in 47 sessions. Lung tumors were classified into two groups according to their distance from the heart or aorta: group A (n = 27) comprised tumors at a distance of 1-9 mm; group B (n = 15) comprised contiguous tumors (distance, 0 mm). The safety and technique effectiveness of the procedure, defined as no evidence of local tumor progression, were evaluated. Results: Radiofrequency ablation was feasible for all the 42 tumors. Procedural complications included asymptomatic pleural effusion (n = 5), small pneumothorax (n = 11), pneumothorax that necessitated chest tube placement (n = 4), and lung abscess (n = 1). No complications related to the specific tumor location, such as the accidental insertion of the electrode into the heart or aorta, pericardial effusion, arrhythmia, or cardiac infarction, occurred. The overall primary technique effectiveness rate was 75.8%, 45.9%, and 45.9% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. This rate in group A (94.7%, 69.3%, and 69.3% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively) was significantly (P < .001) higher than that in group B (42.9% and 8.6% at 6 and 12 months, respectively). Conclusions: Radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors close to the heart or aorta was safely performed. The local control of tumors contiguous to the heart or aorta was considerably lower compared with the tumors that were close but not contiguous to these structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe two cases of intractable pneumothorax that were attributed to a bronchopleural fistula (BPF) after radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors. In both cases, radiofrequency ablation induced necrosis of the lung tissue between the pleural space and the bronchus. The bronchopleural fistula formed after sloughing of the necrotic tissue. Management of the bronchopleural fistula was quite challenging, requiring frequent treatments, including pleurodesis, endobronchial management, and/or surgical repair. In one of the patients, air leakage persisted despite these efforts, and the patient died of acute pneumonia 52 days after the procedure. Although it is rare, with an incidence of 0.6% (2/334) at our institution, intractable pneumothorax due to bronchopleural fistula should be recognized as a risk associated with radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

PURPOSE: The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of pulmonary artery embolization on radiofrequency (RF) ablation of normal porcine lungs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RF ablation zones (n = 34) were created in the normal lungs of five domestic pigs (five zones in each of the first two pigs and eight zones in each of the remaining three pigs) with an expandable multitined electrode with use of bilateral thoracotomy. RF ablation was performed without pulmonary artery embolization (group 1, n = 8), immediately after embolization (group 2, n = 11), 15 minutes after embolization (group 3, n = 7), and 30 minutes after embolization (group 4, n = 8) with degradable starch microspheres. Among them, 12 ablation zones were excluded from this study because they were considerably limited by the presence of the pleura or large bronchi. The remaining 22 zones were included (n = 7, n = 5, n = 4, and n = 6 in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Coagulation necrosis volumes in the ablation zones were measured and compared among the groups. RESULTS: Coagulation necrosis volumes were 0.9 ± 0.5 cm3, 2.1 ± 0.4 cm3, 2.1 ± 1.0 cm3, and 1.9 ± 0.6 cm3 in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Groups 2–4 sho ed significantly larger coagulation volumes than group 1 (P = .012, P = .023, and P = .010 in groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary artery embolization contributed to larger volumes of coagulation necrosis after RF ablation of normal lungs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A 56-year-old man had a lung metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma 4.7 cm × 3.4 cm in size located directly adjacent to the pulmonary hilar vessels. The tumor was treated with radiofrequency ablation combined with earlier bronchial arterial chemoembolization and subsequent radiation therapy. A complete remission of the tumor has been observed for 6 months since completion of therapy. Considering that complete treatment of such an intermediate-sized tumor adjacent to the large vessels is usually difficult with radiofrequency ablation alone, this result suggests a possible role for combined therapy for pulmonary neoplasms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aortobronchial fistula is a fatal complication after thoracic aortic surgery. So far, treatment options for aortobronchial fistula have included surgical and endovascular stent-graft methods. Herein, a case of an aortobronchial fistula with life-threatening hemoptysis managed with transcatheter embolization of the fistula with N-butyl cyanoacrylate is reported. For the patient with an aortobronchial fistula who cannot be treated by surgical or endovascular stent-graft methods, transcatheter embolization of the fistula may be the only available life-saving method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]