BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the effects of cryosurgery on the great vessels and heart in patients with lung cancer.

METHODSAt first, the changes of rabbit cervical artery were observed during and after cryosurgery. Then, CT-guided percutaneous lung cryotherapy (PLC) was performed in 69 patients with 73 pulmonary masses encroaching on the great vessels and heart using 2 or 3 mm cryoprobes.

RESULTSIn animal model, rabbit cervical artery looked well and blood flow was normal after ice thawing. In patients with lung cancer, CT-visualized immediate ice formation appeared beyond tumor margins within 10 minutes after cryotherapy. No major bleeding or other severe sequelae was observed.

CONCLUSIONSCT-guided PLC is a promising treatment for pulmonary neoplasms invading or abutting the great vessels or heart, as well as showing minimal procedural complications or treatment sequelae.