Analyse der Sicherheit und Effektivität CT-gesteuerterBrachytherapie zur Ablation von Lebermalignomen.

Purpose: To assess safety and efficacy of CT-guided brachytherapy of liver malignancies. Patients and Methods: 21 patients with 21 liver malignancies (19 metastases, two primary liver tumors) were treated with interstitial CT-guided brachytherapy applying a 1 9 2 Ir source. In all patients, the use of image-guided thermal tumor ablation such as by radiofrequency or laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) was impeded either by tumor size ≥ 5 cm in seven, adjacent portal or hepatic vein in ten, or adjacent bile duct bifurcation in four patients. Dosimetry was performed using three-dimensional CT data sets acquired after CT-guided positioning of the brachytherapy catheters. Results: The mean tumor diameter was 4.6 cm (2.5-11 cm). The mean minimal tumor dose inside the tumor margin amounted to 17 Gy (12-20 Gy). The proportion of the liver parenchyma exposed to > 5 Gy was 18% (5-39%) of total liver parenchyma minus tumor volume. Nausea and vomiting were observed in six patients after brachytherapy (28%). One patient demonstrated obstructive jaundice due to tumor edema after irradiation of a metastasis adjacent to the bile duct bifurcation. We commonly encountered asymptomatic increases of liver enzymes. Local control rates after 6 and 12 months were 87% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion: CT-guided brachytherapy is safe and effective. This technique displays broader indications compared to image-guided thermal ablation by radiofrequency or LITT with respect to tumor size or localization.

Purpose To assess the safety and efficacy of CT-guided brachytherapy alone or in combination with laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) in patients with liver malignancies. Methods and materials Thirty-seven patients presented with 36 liver metastases and two primary liver carcinomas. Twenty-one patients were treated with CT-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy alone using a 192Ir source. Sixteen patients received brachytherapy directly after MRI-guided LITT. The indications for brachytherapy alone were a tumor size >5 cm, adjacent central bile duct or adjacent major vessels causing unfavorable cooling effects for thermal ablation, and technical failures of LITT. The dosimetry for brachytherapy was performed using three-dimensional CT data acquired after percutaneous applicator positioning. On average, a minimal dose of 17 Gy inside the tumor margin was applied (range, 10–20 Gy). Results The mean tumor size was 4.6 cm (range, 2.5–11 cm). The mean liver volume receiving ≥5 Gy was 16% (range, 2–40%) of the total liver. Severe complications were recorded in 2 patients (5%). One patient developed acute liver failure possibly related to accidental continuation of oral capecitabine treatment. Another patient demonstrated obstructive jaundice owing to tumor edema after irradiation of a metastasis adjacent to the bile duct bifurcation. A commonly encountered moderate increase of liver enzymes was greatest in patients with combined treatment. The local control rate after 6 months was 73% and 87% for combined treatment and brachytherapy alone, respectively. Conclusion CT-guided brachytherapy using three-dimensional CT data for dosimetry is safe and effective alone or in combination with LITT. Brachytherapy as a stand-alone treatment displayed genuine advantages over thermal tumor ablation.

PURPOSE:To assess safety and efficacy of CT-guided brachytherapy of liver malignancies.PATIENTS AND METHODS:21 patients with 21 liver malignancies (19 metastases, two primary liver tumors) were treated with interstitial CT-guided brachytherapy applying a (192)Ir source. In all patients, the use of image-guided thermal tumor ablation such as by radiofrequency or laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) was impeded either by tumor size > or = 5 cm in seven, adjacent portal or hepatic vein in ten, or adjacent bile duct bifurcation in four patients. Dosimetry was performed using three-dimensional CT data sets acquired after CT-guided positioning of the brachytherapy catheters.RESULTS:The mean tumor diameter was 4.6 cm (2.5-11 cm). The mean minimal tumor dose inside the tumor margin amounted to 17 Gy (12-20 Gy). The proportion of the liver parenchyma exposed to > 5 Gy was 18% (5-39%) of total liver parenchyma minus tumor volume. Nausea and vomiting were observed in six patients after brachytherapy (28%). One patient demonstrated obstructive jaundice due to tumor edema after irradiation of a metastasis adjacent to the bile duct bifurcation. We commonly encountered asymptomatic increases of liver enzymes. Local control rates after 6 and 12 months were 87% and 70%, respectively.CONCLUSION:CT-guided brachytherapy is safe and effective. This technique displays broader indications compared to image-guided thermal ablation by radiofrequency or LITT with respect to tumor size or localization.