Post-radiofrequency ablation syndrome after percutaneous radiofrequency of abdominal tumours: one centre experience and review of published works.
The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively post-radiofrequency ablation (RFA) syndrome and to determine its effect on the quality of life in the 15 days after percutaneous RFA treatment. We carried out an internal review board-approved prospective study of the delayed symptoms that occurred after 71 consecutive RFA sessions in 53 patients (12 women and 41 men; age range 45-83 years; mean age 71.6 years) with 45 primary liver tumours, 34 liver metastases, 3 renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 2 residual lesions from RCC after nephrectomy and 1 pancreatic metastases from RCC. Postablation symptoms occurred in 17 of 53 (32%) patients. Six of 17 patients developed low-grade fever (from 37.5 to 38.5 degrees C). Other symptoms included delayed pain (9/17), nausea (7/17), vomiting (3/17), malaise (3/17) and myalgia (1). Postablation syndrome is a common phenomenon after RFA of solid abdominal tumours. Not only in our study but also in the previous ones the occurrence is observed in approximately one-third patients. Patients should be informed that these symptoms are self-limiting after RFA and most patients should be able to resume near-complete preprocedural levels of activity within 10 days after the procedure.
Carrafiello
G
G
Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. gcarraf@tin.it
Laganà
D
D
Ianniello
A
A
Dionigi
G
G
Novario
R
R
Recaldini
C
C
Mangini
M
M
Cuffari
S
S
Fugazzola
C
C
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual / Q000601:surgery; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013577:Syndrome