Saline-enhanced radiofrequency thermal ablation of the lung: a feasibility study in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility and safety of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with saline infusion of pulmonary tissue in rabbits.


METHODS
Twenty-eight New Zealand White rabbits were divided into two groups: an RFA group (n=10) and a saline-enhanced RFA (SRFA) group (n=18). In the RFA group, percutaneous RFA of the lung was performed under CT guidance and using a 17-gauge internally cooled electrode. In the SRFA group, 1.5 ml of 0.9% saline was infused slowly through a 21-gauge, polyteflon- coated Chiba needle prior to and during RFA. Lesion size and the healing process were studied in rabbits sacrificed at times from the day following treatment to three weeks after, and any complications were noted.


RESULTS
In the SRFA group, the mean diameter (12.5+/-1.6 mm) of acute RF lesions was greater than that of RFA lesions (8.5+/-1.4 mm) (p < .05). The complications arising in 12 cases were pneumothorax (n=8), thermal injury to the chest wall (n=2), hemothorax (n=1), and lung abscess (n=1). Although procedure-related complications tended to occur more frequently in the SRFA group (55.6%) than in the RFA group (20%), the difference was not statistically significant (p = .11).


CONCLUSIONS
Saline-enhanced RFA of pulmonary tissue in rabbits produces more extensive coagulation necrosis than conventional RFA procedures, without adding substantial risk of serious complications.
Lee
Jeong Min
JM
Department of Radiology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Korea. jmlshy@naver.com
Kim
Sang Won
SW
Li
Chun Ai
CA
Youk
Ji Hyun
JH
Kim
Young Kon
YK
Jin
Zhewu
Z
Chung
Myoung Ja
MJ
Lee
Mi Suk
MS
D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D012965:Sodium Chloride