Percutaneous microwave ablation liver partition and portal vein embolization for planned hepatectomy due to large gastrointestinal stromal tumor metastases: A case report.

RATIONALE

The liver is the most frequent site of relapse of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Surgery is always considered to be unsuitable because of the multiple metastases.

PATIENT CONCERNS

In this report, we describe a case of large, multiple GIST liver metastases that were treated with percutaneous microwave ablation liver partition and portal vein embolization for planned hepatectomy (PALPP). A 44-year-old woman had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy 4 years previously because of the diagnosis of a large duodenal GIST. Large, multiple liver metastases were observed 2 years later.

DIAGNOSES

GIST liver metastasis was diagnosed using percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy.

INTERVENTIONS

After 6 months of treatment with imatinib, the liver metastasis was stable. PALPP was performed because of insufficient future liver remnant (FLR) and right trisegmentectomy was successfully completed 10 days later.

OUTCOMES

The patient has had no signs of local or systemic disease during 17 months of postsurgical follow-up.

LESSONS

PALPP provides a new methodology for treatment of GIST liver metastasis in patients with insufficient FLR, and may have benefit in prolonging a durable remission.