Techniques in vascular and interventional radiology
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Sep 2015
ReviewPercutaneous Approach to Irreversible Electroporation of the Pancreas: Miami Protocol.
Despite advances in the treatment of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer, outcomes remain poor. Irreversible electroporation is a nonthermal ablative modality whose role in the management of locally advanced pancreatic cancer is being studied. This review highlights patient selection, preparation, and follow-up as well as discusses the techniques to achieve safe and effective tumor ablation in this challenging location.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Sep 2015
ReviewIntroduction to Irreversible Electroporation--Principles and Techniques.
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel nonthermal focal ablation technique that uses a series of brief but intense electric pulses delivered by paired electrodes into a targeted region of tissue, killing the cells by irreversibly disrupting cellular membrane integrity. Unlike other ablation methods, IRE has relatively little effect on connective tissues and nerves and has a low patient effect. The ability of IRE to achieve cell death immediately adjacent to large vessels without effect on the vessels themselves has raised the possibility of better treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. ⋯ In clinical practice, IRE can be administered either percutaneously under imaging guidance or at open operation under direct vision. In animals there is some evidence of an immune response presumably due to exposure of the intracellular target material, resulting in a greater therapeutic effect. Unlike many other cancer treatments, IRE has been introduced for human clinical use at a very early stage of development of the technique and much of the basic understanding of how and when to use IRE is still under investigation.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Sep 2015
ReviewIrreversible Electroporation for Colorectal Liver Metastases.
Image-guided tumor ablation techniques have significantly broadened the treatment possibilities for primary and secondary hepatic malignancies. A new ablation technique, irreversible electroporation (IRE), was recently added to the treatment armamentarium. As opposed to thermal ablation, cell death with IRE is primarily induced using electrical energy: electrical pulses disrupt the cellular membrane integrity, resulting in cell death while sparing the extracellular matrix of sensitive structures such as the bile ducts, blood vessels, and bowel wall. ⋯ Imaging characteristics and early efficacy results are presented. Much is still unknown about the exact mechanism of cell death and about factors playing a crucial role in the extent of cell death. At this time, IRE for CRLM should only be reserved for small tumors that are truly unsuitable for resection or thermal ablation because of abutment of the portal triad or the venous pedicles.
-
Tech Vasc Interv Radiol · Sep 2015
Irreversible Electroporation of Hepatic and Pancreatic Malignancies: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel therapy that has shown to be a feasible and promising alternative to conventional ablative techniques when treating tumors near vital structures or blood vessels. The clinical efficacy of IRE has been evaluated using established imaging criteria. This study evaluates the histologic and imaging response of hepatic and pancreatic malignancies that were surgically resected after IRE. ⋯ The rate of complete response to IRE was 25% based on the histologic evaluation of the resected tumors. Although treatment-related vessel wall changes were noted in several cases in histologic findings, there was no evidence of vascular luminal narrowing or obliteration in any of the specimens. The imaging response to IRE before surgical resection usually resulted in underestimation of disease burden when compared with the histologic response seen on the resected specimens.