Radiofrequency ablation in a porcine liver model: effects of transcatheter arterial embolization with iodized oil on ablation time, maximum output, and coagulation diameter as well as angiographic characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of combined radiofrequency ablation and transcatheter arterial embolization with iodized oil on ablation time, maximum output, coagulation diameter, and portal angiography in a porcine liver model.


METHODS
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was applied to in vivo livers of 10 normal pigs using a 17-gauge 3.0 cm expandable LeVeen RF needle electrode with or without transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with iodized oil (n=5). In each animal, 2 areas in the liver were ablated. Direct portography was performed before and after RFA. Ablation was initiated at an output of 30 W, and continued with an increase of 10 W per minute until roll-off occurred. Ablation time and maximum output until roll-off, and coagulated tissue diameter were compared between the 2 groups. Angiographic changes on portography before and after ablation were also reviewed.


RESULTS
For groups with and without TAE with iodized oil, the ablation times until roll-off were 320.6 +/- 30.9 seconds and 445.1 +/- 35.9 seconds, respectively, maximum outputs were 69.0 +/- 7.38 W and 87.0 +/- 4.83 W and maximal diameters of coagulation were 41.7 +/- 3.85 mm and 33.2 +/- 2.28 mm. Significant reductions of ablation time and maximum output, and significantly larger coagulation diameter were obtained with RFA following TAE with iodized oil compared to RFA alone. Portography after RFA following TAE with iodized oil revealed more occlusion of the larger portal branches than with RFA alone.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA following TAE with iodized oil can increase the volume of coagulation necrosis with lower output and shorter ablation time than RFA alone in normal pig liver tissue.
Nakai
Motoki
M
Department of Radiology, Hidaka General Hospital, 116-2 Sono, Gobo Shi, Wakayama 644-8655, Japan. nakai@hidakagh.gobo.wakayama.jp
Sato
Morio
M
Sahara
Shinya
S
Kawai
Nobuyuki
N
Tanihata
Hirohiko
H
Kimura
Masashi
M
Terada
Masaki
M
D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009336:Necrosis; D011172:Portography; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D013552:Swine
D007459:Iodized Oil