title: Complications from radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases.
abstract: The objective of this study is to evaluate complications from radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases. Eighty-one liver tumors in 38 consecutive patients were treated with radiofrequency ablation. All patients had one to six metastases treated in a single session. Eight patients underwent radiofrequency ablation intraoperatively after laparotomy and the remaining 30 patients were treated percutaneously with CT or ultrasound guidance. A total of 43 radiofrequency ablation procedures were studied. There was one (2%) mortality related to a hepatic abscess development 8 days after the procedure. One patient (3%) required a blood transfusion. Three patients (8%) developed severe upper abdominal or pleuritic chest pain that persisted several days after the procedure. We conclude that radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases is associated with a low rate of serious complications (two of 38; 5%). Complications requiring treatment usually develop several days after the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1088, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Zagoria
authors.forename: Michael Y M
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Perry
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications