Abstract: Background and purpose: The local recurrence is one of the main causes of treatment failure for rectal carcinomas after radical resection. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of CT guided cryoablation in local recurrence after radical resection of rectal carcinomas. Methods: From Oct. 2013 to Jan. 2015, a total of 22 patients were enrolled in this study, and a follow-up of 12-32 months were performed. The image follow-up was by contrast-enhanced CT or MRI of pelvic. The technical success rate, complications and managements, and 1-year local control rate were recorded. The degree of pain between preablation and postablation was compared by scores of numerical rating scale (NRS). Results: The technical success rate was 100%. The main complication rate was 18.5%, including dysuresia, muscle strength decreased of affected side, abscess formation, severe frostbite. The 1-year local control rate was 72.7%, and the time to progression of local lesion were (11.1±4.3) months. Scores of NRS had significant difference between preablation and 3-day postablation, and preablation and 6-month postablation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between preablation and 12-month postablation (P=0.854). Conclusion: CT-guided cryoablation as a new method for local recurrence after radical resection of rectal carcinomas was safe and feasible, which had high rate of local control, and relieved pain obviously for a period of time.

Key words: Rectal carcinoma, Local recurrence, Cryoablation