PURPOSE

Cryoablation has been successfully used to treat lung tumors. However, the safety and effectiveness of treating tumors adjacent to critical structures has not been fully established. We describe our experience with computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous cryoablation of central lung tumors and the role of ice ball monitoring.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight patients with 11 malignant central lung tumors (nine metastatic, two primary; mean, 2.6 cm; range, 1.0–4.5 cm) located adjacent to mediastinal or hilar structures were treated using CT-guided cryoablation in 10 procedures. Technical success and effectiveness rates were calculated, complications were tabulated and intraprocedural imaging features of ice balls were described.

RESULTS

All procedures were technically successful; imaging after 24 hours demonstrated no residual tumor. Five tumors recurred, three of which were re-ablated successfully. A hypodense ice ball with well-defined margin was visible during the first (n=6, 55%) or second (n=11, 100%) freeze, encompassing the entire tumor in all patients, and abutting (n=7) or minimally involving (n=4) adjacent mediastinal and hilar structures. Pneumothorax developed following six procedures (60%); percutaneous treatment was applied in three of them. All patients developed pleural effusions, with one patient requiring percutaneous drainage. Transient hemoptysis occurred after six procedures (60%), but all cases improved within a week. No injury occurred to mediastinal or hilar structures.

CONCLUSION

CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation can be used to treat central lung tumors successfully. Although complications were common, they were self-limited, treatable, and not related to tumor location. Ice ball monitoring helped maximize the amount of tumor treated, while avoiding critical mediastinal and hilar structures.