Percutaneous US-guided radio-frequency tissue ablation of liver metastases: treatment and follow-up in 16 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the potential efficacy of radio-frequency (RF) ablation of liver metastases during long-term follow-up.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with 31 hepatic metastases were treated with percutaneous, ultrasound-guided RF ablation. RF was applied to monopolar electrodes (2-3-cm tip exposure) either individually or within a multiprobe array (two to four probes) for 6 minutes at 90 degrees C over one to four treatment sessions per metastasis.


RESULTS
In only one of 75 sessions, a moderate complication, self-limited intraperitoneal hemorrhage, was observed. Four patients (four lesions) underwent surgical resection 15-60 days after RF treatment. Residual, viable tumor was seen in all of these patients. The remaining 12 patients were followed up for 9-29 months (mean, 18.1 months). In these patients, 18 of 27 lesions remained stable or decreased in size and showed no enhancement at computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging for at least 9 months. Two patients died of disseminated disease at 13 months and one at 16 months. Disease-free survival was achieved in eight patients.


CONCLUSIONS
RF ablation appears to be a simple, safe, and potentially effective treatment for selected patients with liver metastases and may become a less invasive alternative to surgical therapy.
Solbiati
L
L
Department of Radiology, General Hospital, Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy.
Ierace
T
T
Goldberg
S N
SN
Sironi
S
S
Livraghi
T
T
Fiocca
R
R
Servadio
G
G
Rizzatto
G
G
Mueller
P R
PR
Del Maschio
A
A
Gazelle
G S
GS
D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011677:Punctures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional