title: Bile aspiration and hydrodissection to prevent complications in hepatic RFA close to the gallbladder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumors is a mainstay of interventional oncology. Its application, however, is limited by tumor size and location with lesions located within 1 cm to the gallbladder being at increased risk for complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety of hepatic RFA after bile aspiration with or without additional hydrodissection for lesions adjacent to the gallbladder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients undergoing RFA of tumors with a distance of less than 1 cm to the gallbladder were retrospectively identified from a computer database. All patients underwent RFA combined with percutaneous bile aspiration from the gallbladder. In four patients additional hydrodissection was performed. Technical success and post-interventional complications were assessed by reviewing images and patient charts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ablations were successfully completed in 5/6 patients. In one patient with incomplete ablation re-ablation was performed 2 months after the initial procedure. Minor complications occurred in three patients, including right-sided pleural effusion, hematoma in the gallbladder fossa, and intralesional hemorrhage in one patient each. There were no cases with cholecystitis or damage to the gallbladder during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bile aspiration with or without additional hydrodissection permits safe RFA of tumors located close to the gallbladder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Levit
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bruners
authors.forename: Rolf W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.forename: Andreas H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mahnken
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001646:Bile; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011846:Radio Waves; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome