Percutaneous ablation in perivascular-HCC: impact of liver parenchyma and characteristics of vascular structures on the outcomes.

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Introduction Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a standard treatment for small-HCC (<3cm). However, some features such as proximity to intrahepatic vascular structures (perivascular location) seem to be related to short- and long-term outcomes. The aims of the study were to investigate the features related to ablation success and local tumor progression (LTP) in patients submitted to percutaneous ablation for perivascular-HCC. Materials and Methods From January 2010 to May 2021, 132 perivascular-HCC nodules ablated with US-guided single probe percutaneous RFA were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariable Cox regression model were used to identify factors that were independently related to ablation success and LTP free survival. Results The overall ablation success rate was 71.9% (n=95). Morbidity and mortality rates were 4.0% and 0.0%. The features related to ablation success: nodule size (≤20mm vs. >20mm) (OR 2.442, p=0.031), major vascular structures diameter (3-5 mm vs > 5 mm) (OR 2.167, p=0.037) and liver parenchyma (cirrhosis vs no-cirrhosis) (OR 2.373, p=0.033). The following features resulted independently related to better LTP free survival: nodule size <20 mm (HR 2.802, p=0.003), proximity to Glissonean pedicles (HR 1.677, p=0.028), and major vascular structure diameter <5 mm (HR 1.987, p=0.041). Conclusions Perivascular location confirmed to be a difficult and unfavorable indication for percutaneous ablation for HCC nodules. However, perivascular nodules not suitable for surgery with low-risk features (size <20mm, proximity to Glissonian pedicles and vascular diameter <5mm) may be treated with RFA with satisfactory outcomes.