Comparison of changes in liver function in patients with different types of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis after radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Objective To compare the changes in liver function in patients with different types of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis after radiofrequency ablation. Methods The data of 32 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis treated by radiofrequency ablation from December 2016 to December 2018 at the Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 20 females. The patients were divided into the single lesion group (n=17) and the multiple lesions group (n=15) according to the number of hydatid lesions. The lesions were further divided into the small lesion group (n=12) and the large or medium lesion group (n=20). The operation time, changes in AST and ALT were compared among these groups. Results The operation time of the single lesion group was 1.5 (1.0, 1.8) hour, and that of the multiple lesions group was 3.0 (1.5, 3.5) hour. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). On the 1st and 3rd day after treatment, ALT in the multiple lesions group was significantly higher than that in the single lesion group (P<0.05). Compared with the 1st day after operation, ALT of the two groups decreased on the 5th day after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The changes in AST in the two groups were basically the same as that of ALT. The operation time of the small lesion group was 1.0 (1.0, 1.9) hour, and of the large and medium lesion group was 2.5 (1.5, 3.0) hour. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). On the 1st, 3rd and 5th day after treatment, ALT in the small lesion group was significantly lower than the large or medium lesion group (P<0.05). Compared with the 1st day after treatment, ALT of the two groups decreased on the 5th day after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in AST between the small lesion group and the large or medium lesion group only on the 1st day after operation (P<0.05). Conclusion Radiofrequency ablation for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis with a single lesion and a small lesion had shorter operation time with less changes in liver function after treatment. Key words: Echinococcosis, hepatic; Radiofrequency ablation; Liver function