Gallbladder Decompression and Hydrodissection as Adjuncts for Ablation of Pericholecystic Hepatocellular Carcinomas

Authors

Taylor Hoffman
Arta Kasaeian
Johnathon Chung
Ashkan Berenji
David Wynne
Mohammad Ghasemi-Rad
David Léon

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Journal

Radiology Case Reports

DOI

10.1016/j.radcr.2025.09.071

PMID

41158319

PMCID

PMC12554902

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

10-18-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Microwave ablation is an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, but tumors adjacent to extrahepatic organs carry a higher risk for thermal injury. Thermoprotective techniques such as hydrodissection and gallbladder decompression can reduce this risk and expand the range of lesions amenable to percutaneous treatment. We present a case of a 68-year-old woman with hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatic segment V, with partial treatment response from prior transarterial chemoembolization. Due to the lesion's proximity to the gallbladder and transverse colon, microwave ablation was performed with concurrent ultrasound- and CT-guided gallbladder decompression and hydrodissection. The ablation was technically successful without post-procedural complications. At 12-month follow-up, MRI demonstrated no residual tumor. This case highlights the feasibility of microwave ablation in anatomically challenging locations using thermoprotective strategies, overcoming technical challenges that may otherwise preclude minimally invasive treatment.

Keywords

Gallbladder hydrodissection, Microwave ablation (MWA), Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Hoffman, Taylor; Kasaeian, Arta; Chung, Johnathon; et al., "Gallbladder Decompression and Hydrodissection as Adjuncts for Ablation of Pericholecystic Hepatocellular Carcinomas" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 6115.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/6115