Tumour characteristics and therapeutic results after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of secondary lung neoplasms.
BACKGROUND
The objective was to assess the efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of secondary lung tumours and evaluation of the treatment's results by contrast-enhanced CT scan.


METHODS
Fifteen secondary lung neoplasms in 10 patients (mean age 64.3 years) had pulmonary radiofrequency and imaging follow-up. All the patients had absolute contraindications to the surgery. The procedure was performed under computed tomography (CT) guidance with anaesthesiologic assistance. The results were evaluated by post-procedural contrast-enhanced CT scan and CT scans 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the treatment.


RESULTS
The median follow-up period was 26 months. A complete ablation according to the absence of enhancement after the procedure was obtained in all cases; pleural effusion was seen in 2 patients. The main adverse event was a pneumothorax, which occurred in 4 cases. A chest tube was required in two cases. A recurrence at the site of the treatment for one lesion was observed during a 12-month follow- up period. Three patients experienced systemic disease progression. In one of these 3 patients, this progression was associated with recurrence at the site of the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA seems to be possible for "non-surgical" patients with various histologic types of secondary lung tumours. Good results in terms of local tumour control validated by contrast-enhanced CT scan were observed during short-term follow-up evaluation.
Dequanter
Didier
D
Service de Chirurgie, CHU Charleroi (Vésale), 706 6110 Montigny le Tilleul, France. didier.dequanter@pandora.be
Lothaire
Philippe
P
D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D015505:Chest Tubes; D000075202:Contraindications; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome