New Procedure for Liver Tumors Available at Riverside Methodist Hospital

OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital is now providing a new procedure called Histotripsy, a novel form of focused ultrasound that uses high amplitude, very short pulses designed to mechanically liquefy and destroy targeted tissue in patients with liver tumors.  Histotripsy is a non-invasive treatment and there’s not much recovery time for the patient.  They can usually go back to work within a day or two.

“It’s an ultrasound ablation machine,” said David Arrese, MD, OhioHealth Chief of Surgical Oncology.  “It goes on top of your body.  There are no incisions, no scars.  It's a minimal recovery.”

Histotripsy is a 60-90 minute procedure done in the operating room with the patient under general anesthesia. Patients who weren’t originally candidates for surgery may be a candidate for this procedure.  It’s best for patients with liver tumors that are small to medium in size, less than three centimeters. 

Dr. Arrese said another benefit is that patients don’t have to stop any active systemic therapies – for example, chemotherapy or if they are on a blood thinner.    Talk with your physician if you think you might be a candidate for this procedure. 

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