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Early nontumorous CT findings after irreversible electroporation of locally advanced pancreatic cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

The use of irreversible electroporation (IRE) has been a relatively recent development in the palliative treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. With CT as a key modality in patient follow-up, recognition of nontumorous imaging findings is paramount after IRE.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients having undergone IRE for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma was performed. A total of 36 patients met inclusion criteria and their imaging studies were reviewed by two radiologists. Nontumorous abnormalities identified in the peri-electroporation bed on Computed Tomography (CT) during the early postoperative period (within 30 days) were characterized and classified into categories.

Results

Our results indicate that the most common nontumorous findings in the peri-electroporation bed were vascular, followed by changes involving the gastrointestinal tract, peritoneal cavity, and, infrequently, the biliary tree.

Conclusions

Interpretation of CT imaging of the postoperative peri-electroporation bed is challenging. This review of CT findings allows the radiologist to recognize and anticipate significant nontumorous findings in the peri-electroporation bed during early follow-up after IRE.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA

    Brittany Schulz, Jao Ou & Tracy Van Meter

  2. Department of Radiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA

    Jao Ou

  3. Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA

    Robert C. G. Martin

Authors
  1. Brittany Schulz
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  2. Jao Ou
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  3. Tracy Van Meter
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  4. Robert C. G. Martin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brittany Schulz.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Martin is a paid consultant for AngioDynamics.

Ethical approval

All patients were reviewed under an Institutional Review Board Protocol from the University of Louisville.

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Schulz, B., Ou, J., Van Meter, T. et al. Early nontumorous CT findings after irreversible electroporation of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Abdom Radiol 41, 2142–2149 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-016-0815-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-016-0815-7

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