733 - Cryoablation as a Safe and Effective Treatment for Liver Lesions Adjacent to the Gallbladder: A Case Series

Monday, April 13, 2026

5:03 PM - 5:09 PM ET

Abstract Presenter(s)

DW

Drake Workman, BS

Medical Student
University of Minnesota, United States

Author/Co-author(s)

SS

Sandeep Sharma, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota, United States
Donna D'Souza, MD, FSIR

Associate Professor
University of Minnesota, United States
PS

Prashant Shrestha, MD

Associate Residency Program Director
University of Minnesota, United States
SF

Siobhan Flanagan, MD

Medical Director of Interventional Radiology
University of Minnesota West Bank, United States

Learning Objectives: The primary learning objective of this case series is to demonstrate that cryoablation is a safe, effective thermal ablation option in the treatment of hepatic malignancies proximal to the gallbladder.

Background: Microwave and radiofrequency ablation (MWA and RFA) of hepatic malignancies adjacent to the gallbladder and central biliary structures may pose risk of complications such as bile leak, biliary strictures, or cholecystitis. Previous studies demonstrated greater risk of complications using these modalities when lesions are within 0.5 cm from the gallbladder. Utilization of cryoablation may achieve similar ablative outcomes with lower complications. This case series reviews a cohort of five subjects who underwent cryoablation for hepatic malignancies located within 0.5 cm of the gallbladder.

Clinical Findings/Procedure Details: We conducted a retrospective, single-center review of subjects who underwent cryoablation of hepatic malignancies located within 0.5 cm of the gallbladder. Preoperative and intraoperative imaging were reviewed to determine tumor distance from gallbladder and extension of ablation zone into the gallbladder. Outcomes measured were complications at 1 month and local disease recurrence at 3 months.

Our review includes five patients with a mean age of 73.2 years (±5), four male and one female. Four subjects had a diagnosis of HCC and one had atypical carcinoid tumor of the lung. All patients underwent one cryoablation treatment, with the exception of the patient with metastasis who underwent two treatments spaced two years apart. The Boston Scientific IceFORCE® device was used in all cases. The mean distance of the tumor from the gallbladder was 2.1 mm (±2.4). Notably, three of the six lesions abutted the gallbladder. The average percentage of the gallbladder incidentally frozen in these cases was approximated to be < 25%. Complications within the first month post-op included post-op pain in two patients that resolved by one month follow-up, and gallbladder wall thickening in two subjects. Three month follow-up imaging was available for four subjects and none demonstrated local recurrence or overall disease progression.

Conclusion and/or Teaching Points: Cryoablation of liver lesions within 0.5 cm from the gallbladder was safe and effective in this series. No serious adverse events such as gallbladder perforation or leak were observed. Cryoablation should be considered for thermal ablation of lesions in close proximity to the gallbladder.