title: [Radiofrequency ablation: basic principles, techniques and challenges].
abstract: Radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation is a promising and rapidly evolving technique for the minimal invasive treatment of liver malignancies. Until a few years ago, conventional RF treatment performed with a single monopolar electrode produced thermal necrosis lesions not exceeding 1.6 cm in diameter. Substantial improvements in the RF technique included the development of high-power generators (up to 250 watts) combined with open-perfused electrodes, internally cooled-tip electrodes or expandable electrode needles, capable of ablating an area of over 5 cm in diameter. Moreover, angiographically and pharmacologically assisted strategies were introduced for expanding the volume of RF-induced coagulation necrosis. This article presents a synopsis of current RF techniques and reviews the basic principles of RF ablation with the goal of providing guidance for optimal results.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Radiologische Diagnostik, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Germany. philippe.pereira@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trübenbach
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004566:Electrodes; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D009336:Necrosis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004317:Doxorubicin