[Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of temperature-controlled radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction].
BACKGROUND
Due to its minimally invasive character, radiofrequency surgery has become a topic of increasing attention, especially with respect to the surgical treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders. Temperature-controlled radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction is the most common technique employed in these cases. However, despite the increasingly widespread use of this technique, there is little data available on the induced effects in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether magnetic resonance imaging could be used in the evaluation of the in vivo effects of radiofrequency surgery at the base of the tongue.


METHODS
Six patients were treated at the base of tongue with radiofrequency surgery. At 4-6, 8-10 and 24 h after surgery, magnetic resonance imaging was performed using an inversion recovery technique (TIRM) and the lesions created were evaluated.


RESULTS
The lesions could be visualised at all postoperative measurement times. They appeared as oval hypointense structures encircled by a hyperintense area. Lesion size diminished slightly over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Lesions induced by radiofrequency surgery can be clearly visualised with magnetic resonance imaging. Lesion size may be assessed in relation to energy application. In the future, the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders may be further optimised with the help of this technique.
Stuck
B A
BA
Universitäts-HNO-Klinik Mannheim. boris.stuck@hno.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Köpke
J
J
Maurer
J T
JT
Verse
T
T
Eckert
A
A
Düber
C
C
Hörmann
K
K
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Die Kernspintomographie in der Evaluation radiofrequenzchirurgisch induzierter oropharyngealer Gewebsläsionen. Frühe postoperative Ergebnisse.