Ji Y Buethe1, Salim Abboud2, Kristie Brock3, Greg Nizialek2, Rod Rezaee4, Jay Wasman5, Jonathan Frankel4, Dean A Nakamoto6. 1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Johns Hopkins Hospitals, Baltimore, Maryland. 2. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. 3. Department of Veterinary Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. 4. Department of Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. 5. Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. 6. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Electronic address: Dean.Nakamoto@uhhospitals.org.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the imaging, histologic changes and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided cryoablation of the parotid glands in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Unilateral CT-guided parotid gland cryoablation was performed in 5 juvenile miniature pigs. The ablated parotid glands underwent 2 cycles of 10-minute freeze and 5-minute thaw using three 17-g cryoprobes. The animals were monitored daily for complications including pain, frostbite, infection, and sialocele or fistula formation. Follow-up CT was performed at 6 weeks postcryoablation. Pathologic evaluation was performed on 2 of the ablated parotid glands. RESULTS: All cryoablations in 5 right parotid glands, with 3 sites in each gland, were technically successful. No symptoms suggestive of facial nerve damage were observed during 6-week follow-up. One pig developed an infected sialocele, which was treated with percutaneous drainage and oral antibiotic therapy. No CT evidence of sialocele or other abnormality was identified at the 6-week follow-up in all pigs. Histologic evaluation was performed on 2 of the parotid gland specimens, 1 with the treated sialocele, and 1 of the remaining pigs without sialocele. Both glands demonstrated postprocedural intraglandular lymph nodes and reactive changes without evidence of sialocele or abscess on histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoablation of parotid glands was technically feasible in a porcine model. Only 1 pig developed sialocele, which was successfully treated. Further research is warranted to determine the potential use of salivary gland cryoablation to treat patients with drooling. Copyright Â
PURPOSE: To evaluate the imaging, histologic changes and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided cryoablation of the parotid glands in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Unilateral CT-guided parotid gland cryoablation was performed in 5 juvenile miniature pigs. The ablated parotid glands underwent 2 cycles of 10-minute freeze and 5-minute thaw using three 17-g cryoprobes. The animals were monitored daily for complications including pain, frostbite, infection, and sialocele or fistula formation. Follow-up CT was performed at 6 weeks postcryoablation. Pathologic evaluation was performed on 2 of the ablated parotid glands. RESULTS: All cryoablations in 5 right parotid glands, with 3 sites in each gland, were technically successful. No symptoms suggestive of facial nerve damage were observed during 6-week follow-up. One pig developed an infected sialocele, which was treated with percutaneous drainage and oral antibiotic therapy. No CT evidence of sialocele or other abnormality was identified at the 6-week follow-up in all pigs. Histologic evaluation was performed on 2 of the parotid gland specimens, 1 with the treated sialocele, and 1 of the remaining pigs without sialocele. Both glands demonstrated postprocedural intraglandular lymph nodes and reactive changes without evidence of sialocele or abscess on histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoablation of parotid glands was technically feasible in a porcine model. Only 1 pig developed sialocele, which was successfully treated. Further research is warranted to determine the potential use of salivary gland cryoablation to treat patients with drooling. Copyright Â