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Percutaneous Cryoablation for Recurrent Head and Neck Tumors

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Non-Vascular Interventions
  • Published:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To report techniques and results of 16 cryoablation procedures in 11 patients treated for recurrent head and neck cancer.

Methods and Materials

This retrospective study reviewed 11 consecutive patients with head and neck cancer recurrence after primary treatment by surgery and radiotherapy, treated with cryoablation between 2016 and 2020. Efficacy was measured by local control rate evaluated on MRI or/and PET. Tumor characteristics, number of cryoprobes, thermoprotective measures and complications were documented.

Results

Sixteen cryoablation procedures were performed in 11 patients with head and neck cancer recurrence after surgery or radiotherapy, deemed ineligible for classic salvage treatment. Among 11 patients, four were treated for an epidermoid carcinoma, four for an adenocarcinoma and three for other types: 1 muco-epidermoid carcinoma, 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma and 1 esthesioneuroblastoma, 10/11 patients had prior surgery, 7/11 patients had prior chemotherapy and 3/11 patients had prior radiotherapy. Median number of cryoprobes was 4, [IQR, 3–6 cryoprobes], thermoprotective measures to protect surrounding organs were required for 10/16 procedures. After cryoablation, local control rate was 45.4% at a mean follow-up of 11.7 months (range 3–34 months). Among the 16 cryoablation procedures, four resulted in complications, two were considered major complications: one septic shock on inhalation pneumopathy during extubation, requiring intensive care; and one dysphonia due to a recurrent nerve injury.

Conclusion

Cryoablation as a salvage treatment for recurrence of head and neck tumors after surgery and/or radiotherapy is an effective option, especially for patients that cannot benefit from salvage surgery.

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Funding

This study was not supported by any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service d’Imagerie Interventionnelle, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l’hopital, 67000, Strasbourg, France

    Jean Schwartz, Pierre Auloge, Guillaume Koch, Joey Marie Robinson, Julien Garnon, Roberto Luigi Cazzato & Afshin Gangi

  2. School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK

    Afshin Gangi

  3. Service d’oto-rhino-laryngologie, Hopitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, 1, avenue Molière, 67200, Strasbourg, France

    Joffrey Perruisseau-Carrier & Christian Debry

Authors
  1. Jean Schwartz
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  2. Pierre Auloge
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  3. Guillaume Koch
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  4. Joey Marie Robinson
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  5. Julien Garnon
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  6. Roberto Luigi Cazzato
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  9. Afshin Gangi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean Schwartz.

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Conflict of interest

Julien Garnon, MD, PhD: Proctor, Galil Medical Ltd. Afshin Gangi, MD, PhD: Proctor, Galil Medical Ltd. Other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Schwartz, J., Auloge, P., Koch, G. et al. Percutaneous Cryoablation for Recurrent Head and Neck Tumors. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 45, 791–799 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-022-03120-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-022-03120-3

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