title: Image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of unresectable hepatic tumors using a triple-spiral-shaped electrode needle: initial experience in 34 patients.
abstract: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a triple-spiral-shaped electrode needle for unresectable primary or metastatic hepatic tumors. Thirty-four patients with 46 index tumors were treated. Ablation zone, morbidity, and complications were assessed. The lesions were completely ablated with an ablative margin of about 1 cm. Five patients (14.7%) with a lesion larger than 4.5 cm had local tumor progression after 1 month and were retreated. Hemothorax, as a major complication, occurred in 1 of 34 patients (3.0%) or 1 of 46 lesions ablated (2.2%). RFA using this new electrode needle can be effective in the treatment of large unresectable hepatic tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology, General Hospital of Chest Diseases Sotiria, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Loukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thanos
authors.forename: Loukia S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Poulou
authors.forename: Panayiotis D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Ziakas
authors.forename: Alexis D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kelekis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pomoni
authors.forename: Dimitrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kelekis
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed