Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors using multiple saline-perfused electrodes.
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with multiple saline-perfused electrodes is a minimally invasive alternative to archive large coagulation zones. Few long-term results have been published so far. This is a report of our long-term experience using multiple saline-perfused electrodes for the treatment of malignant hepatic tumors.


METHODS
Thirty-eight patients with biopsy-proven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver metastases of colorectal cancer (CRC) (17 CRC, 21 HCC) with a total of 56 tumors (26 CRC, 30 HCC) were treated with the Integra HiTT 106 RF generator using multiple saline-perfused electrodes. Mean size was 42 mm for HCC and 36 mm for CRC. Follow-up examinations took place after 2 days and 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after RFA and every 6 months thereafter.


RESULTS
We performed 2.6 (2.7 CRC, 2.4 HCC) sessions per patient. Major complications occurred in 2% of patients. Ninety-two percent (35/38) were treated technically successfully. Local tumor progression was found in 8 patients out of 35 (22% overall, 21% HCC, 25% CRC). For HCC, 43% of patients suffered distant intrahepatic recurrence. One- and two-year survival for HCC patients was 71% and 58%. (Child-Pugh status A, one- and two-year survival was 90% and 80%; Child status B, 35% and 18%). For CRC, 11 of 17 (65%) patients suffered distant intrahepatic recurrence. One- and two-year survival for CRC patients was 94% and 86%.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA using multiple saline-perfused electrodes shows results in the treatment of liver tumors comparable with other established ablation techniques.
Hänsler
Johannes
J
Department of Medicine I, Friedrich-Alexander University, NOZ, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. johannes.haensler@med1.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Frieser
Markus
M
Tietz
Volker
V
Uhlke
Daniel
D
Wissniowski
Thadaeus
T
Bernatik
Thomas
T
Hothorn
Torsten
T
Hahn
Eckhart G
EG
Strobel
Deike
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012965:Sodium Chloride