Treatment of Hepatic Hydatid Cyst in a 7-Year-Old Boy Using a New Type of Radiofrequency Ablation Electrode

Abstract

Patient: Male, 7Final Diagnosis: EchinococcosisSymptoms: Cough • feverMedication: —Clinical Procedure: Medical treatment and RFA of liver cystSpecialty: Pediatrics and NeonatologyObjective:Unusual setting of medical careBackground:Radiofrequency ablation has been established as a treatment method for malignancies and some particular cystic lesions, especially in adults. Experience with radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hydatid cysts, especially in children, is limited.Case Report:Although echinococcosis is rare, especially in children, we describe a 7-year-old boy with lung and liver cystic echinococcosis. Diagnosis was established by clinical history and imaging findings and confirmed by positive antiechinococcal antibodies. After 6 months of chemotherapy with albendazole, the liver lesion remained and a radiofrequency ablation under computed tomography guidance was obtained. The procedure was performed with a new type of ablation electrode in order to minimize handling and procedure duration and to achieve the best clinical result in only 1 session. This type of electrode provides the ability to simultaneously drain and ablate the cyst and the ability to monitor the desired ablation temperature in real time.Conclusions:Our patient is the first pediatric case with hepatic hydatid cyst treated successfully with the use of a new type of radiofrequency ablation electrode under computed tomography guidance.

Repeated Percutaneous Treatment of Massive Hepatic Cystic Echinococcosis in a Child

“…Recent advances in technology, with the development of a new radiofrequency electrode capable of simultaneous drainage and ablation, yielded an effective and safe treatment of CE, as it has been reported in a case of a 7-year-old boy with a 4-cm hepatic CE1 cyst. 10 Regarding the benefit of the procedure, a transient rise in liver enzymes was an acceptable disadvantage in our patient, and the used method could be considered being safe. It remains unclear whether enzymatic liver damage could be prevented by manipulating the applied temperature level and/ or duration of each procedure, which should be further investigated in appropriate cases.…”

“…5 -8 Since the first description of its use in this setting, 9 radiofrequency energy thermoablation (RFT) was only exceptionally used for the treatment of CE in adults, and recently a successful use of the new radiofrequency electrode in the treatment of a liver hydatid cyst in a pediatric patient has been published. 10 Optimal indications, safety, and long-term efficacy of RFT for the treatment of CE in children still remain unexplored.…”

Cystic Echinococcosis of the Ilium Treated with Curettage and Microwave Thermoablation Followed by Bone Cement Installation: A Novel Treatment Technique for a Rare Disease

“…The use of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) as a treatment for hydatid cysts of the liver has been previously reported [ 12 , 13 ]. The high temperature released in the cyst results in protein denaturation and further destruction of the germinal layer [ 14 ].…”

Historical changes in surgical strategy and complication management for hepatic cystic echinococcosis

“…With the popularization of minimally invasive concepts in recent years, local lesion ablation, a newly emerging minimally invasive technique, has been recognized by the medical community for the treatment of diseases, especially small lesions[ 48 ]. After more than 20 years of development, many domestic and foreign echinococcosis diagnosis and treatment centers have attempted to apply this technology to the treatment of CE or AE because of its simplicity, minimal trauma, low incidence of postoperative complications, and rapid recovery[ 49 - 52 ]. The echinococcosis diagnosis and treatment center of Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital successfully performed radiofrequency ablation for liver CE disease in more than 40 cases.…”