Radiofrequency ablation combined with reduction of hepatic blood flow: effect of Lipiodol on coagulation diameter and ablation time in normal pig liver.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) ablation combined with transarterial embolization using Lipiodol and gelatin sponge.


METHODS
A total of 18 normal pig liver lobes were randomly assigned to the following three different RF ablation groups, 1) combined with TAE using Lipiodol and gelatin sponge as "LpTAE group"; 2) combined with TAE using gelatin sponge only as "TAE group"; 3) ablation alone as "control group". Ablations were performed under open laparotomy using an RF generator and a 2-cm expandable needle. The diameter of coagulation and the ablation time were compared among the three groups.


RESULTS
The characteristic shape of coagulated area differed among the three groups. The long-axis diameter showed no significant difference among the three groups (27.5mm, 27.5mm, 26.7mm; respectively), while the short-axis diameter was significantly larger in the LpTAE group compared with the control groups (25.2mm vs. 20.5mm; p < 0.05). The total ablation time was significantly shorter in the LpTAE and TAE groups compared with the control group (166, 204 seconds vs. 309 seconds; p = 0.001, p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
RF ablation combined with LpTAE produced larger and more spherical areas of coagulation in a shorter ablation time. Such an advantage could potentially enhance the clinical effectiveness of RF ablation.
Chung
Hobyung
H
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka-sayama, Japan.
Kudo
Masatoshi
M
Minami
Yasunori
Y
Kawasaki
Toshihiko
T
D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009336:Necrosis; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
D007459:Iodized Oil; D005780:Gelatin