Microwave ablation therapy for treating primary and secondary lung tumours: technical note.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of microwave ablation (MWA) in nine patients with unresectable lung tumour.


METHODS
Ten lesions were treated in ten ablation sessions in nine patients. The treatments were performed with a microwave generator with 45 W and 915 MHz connected to a 14.5-gauge antenna for 10 min. Antenna placement was performed with computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy guidance or XperGuide. All patients underwent CT follow-up at 1, 3 and 6 months from the procedure.


RESULTS
Technical success was obtained in all cases; mortality at 30 days was 0%.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that in selected patients, MWA is a valid alternative to other ablative techniques. Further studies are required to demonstrate the short- and long-term effects of this technique and to make a comparison with other available ablation systems, especially with radiofrequency.
Carrafiello
G
G
Dipartimento di Radiologia, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Ospedale di Circolo Varese, Viale L Borri 57, 21100 Varese, Italy.
Mangini
M
M
De Bernardi
I
I
Fontana
F
F
Dionigi
G
G
Cuffari
S
S
Imperatori
A
A
Laganà
D
D
Fugazzola
C
C
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome