A Preliminary Clinical Study On Ultrasound-guided Microwave Ablation For Palliative Treatment Of Advanced Head And Neck Malignancies

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound(US)-guided microwave ablation(MWA)for palliative treatment of head and neck malignant tumors.Materials and methods:From December 2016 to April 2020,we identified 15 patients with 21 head and neck malignant tumors.These lesions were treated with US-guided percutaneous microwave ablation.The maximum diameter and volume of the tumor were assessed by US,CT or MRI before ablation,1,3 and 6 months after MWA and every 6 months thereafter.The quality of life was clinically assessed by the University of Washington Head and Neck Quality of Life questionnaire(UW-QO1).Results:The success rate of tumor-targeting microwave antenna placement was 100%.The follow-up duration varied from 1 months to 38 months(11.56±10.23months)across patients.By the last follow-up before submission,the value of maximum diameter(5.23±2.78vs3.54±2.17 cm.p<0.05)and tumor volume decreased significantly(76.46±47.59vs 46.422±24.15cm3.p<0.05)after palliative treatment with US-guided MWA.No nerve injury and no serious complications or death occurred during the perioperative period.UW-QO1 of the patients was improved(57.14±14.56vs68.65±6.52,p<0.05).Conclusion:Microwave ablation is a safe and effective palliative treatment for head and neck cancer.Ultrasonic guidance can provide an accurate position of the microwave antenna and can monitor the ablation area in real-time during the operation to avoid damage to important tissues around the lesion.