Safety and Efficacy of Combined Transarterial Embolization and Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Liver Tumors Using Cone-Beam CT and Needle Navigation Software in a Single Session

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of single-session transarterial embolization and radiofrequency (RF) ablation for hepatic tumors with the use of needle navigation software.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted of 24 patients with liver cancer undergoing embolization followed by RF ablation between May 2014 and August 2017. Twelve patients each underwent (i) embolization and computed tomography (CT)-guided RF ablation during different sessions (group 1) and (ii) embolization followed by RF ablation with cone-beam CT and Needle Assist software in 1 session (group 2). Median age (70.5 y [range, 58-78 y] vs 70.5 y [range, 50-82 y]; P = .76) and performance status (0/1) were comparable between groups. Median tumor size was significantly larger in group 2 (2 cm [range, 1.0-7.3 cm] vs 3.2 cm [range, 1.1-9.6 cm]; P < .03). Procedure time, effective dose, and number of scans were examined. Efficacy was assessed by modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors after 1 month. Safety was assessed by Society of Interventional Radiology adverse event classification.

Results: Group 1 had a mean of 8.5 CT scans, vs a mean of 5.0 cone-beam CT scans in group 2 (P < .001). Median procedure times were 110 min in group 1 and 199.5 min in group 2 (P < .001). Median effective doses were 68.8 mSv in group 1 and 55.4 mSv in group 2 (P = .38). There was no difference in complete response between groups (66.7% vs 63.6%; P = 1).

Conclusions: Transarterial embolization followed by RF ablation with cone-beam CT and needle guidance software in a single session seems to be safe and effective.