Radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumors.
Radiofrequency thermal ablation is receiving increasing attention as an alternative to standard surgical therapies for the treatment of liver neoplasms. Benefits over surgical resection include the anticipated reduction in morbidity and mortality, low cost, suitability for real time image guidance, the ability to perform ablative procedures on outpatients, and the potential application in a wider spectrum of patients, including nonsurgical candidates. This review examines reported clinical results of this new therapeutic technique, potential complications, current limitations, thermal ablation mechanisms, as well as technical features and diagnostic modalities used in the procedure.
D'Ippolito
Giuseppe
G
Minimally Invasive Therapies Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Goldberg
S Nahum
SN
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography