The positioning value of vascular reference method in CT-guided micro wave ablation of isodense liver cancer

LIAO Junwei; HUANG Xiaohong; ZHU Guoquan; ZHANG Weibiao; YE Zihao; QIU Hao; LI Haoquan; WANG Zaiguo

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-4136.2025.01.008

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the positioning value of vascular reference method in in CT-guided microwave ablation(MWA)of isodense liver cancer.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 64 patients with a total of 91 lesions who underwent CT-guided MWA for liver cancer at the Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University(Dongguan People's Hospital,Guangdong Province)from September 2021 to October 2023.Lesions that were not visible on plain CT scans(isodense lesions)were set as the study group(n=39 lesions),while those that were visible were set as the control group(n=52 lesions).The study group used the intrahepatic vascular reference method for lesion localization and puncture ablation,while the control group underwent conventional CT-guided puncture ablation.The number of needle adjustments,complete tumor ablation rates,and complication rates were compared between the two groups.Results All 64 patients successfully completed the ablation surgery,with a 100％surgical success rate.The number of needle adjustments was 4.97±1.063 in the study group and 5.21±1.177 in the control group,with no statistically significant difference(t=0.991,P=0.506).The complete ablation rate of lesions were 92.3％(36/39)in the study group and 94.2％(49/52)in the control group,with no statistically significant difference(x2=0.134,P=0.715).No severe postoperative complications were observed in either group.Conclusions For isodense liver cancer lesions that are difficult to visualize on plain CT scans,the vascular reference method can guide the identification of the anatomical location of the tumor as seen on enhanced scans,aiding in CT-guided puncture needle and microwave ablation.This method not only improves the success rate of surgery,but is also simple,safe,and does not require additional special equipment or materials,making it valuable for clinical application and promotion.