title: Percutaneous ablation of functioning adrenal adenoma: a report on 11 cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Percutaneous ablation of functioning adrenal adenomas has been an alternative to videolaparoscopic treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of functioning adrenal tumors using a computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous technique as demonstrated by our experience and the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven adult patients (mean age 46 years) with a diagnosis of functioning adrenal adenoma underwent CT-guided RFA between October 2011 and August 2012. All RFA procedures were performed using a needle electrode with a single lateral filament and the RITA(®) 1500X radiofrequency generator. The RFA protocol consisted of two cycles of 5 min each with 1-min interval, with no additional ablation cycles. Contrast-enhanced CT scans were obtained and analyzed for immediate treatment success and possible complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximum tumor dimension ranged from 1.2 to 3.4 cm. The mean procedure time was 74 min, and length of hospital stay ranged from 0.9 to 3.2 days (mean 1.8 days). One patient had residual pneumothorax and one patient had neuritis involving the T10 dermatome. Of 11 patients, 10 recovered from their condition. Only one patient remained with hyperaldosteronism, but with reduced anti-hypertensive medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT-guided percutaneous RFA was a safe and effective treatment for functioning adrenal adenomas, with short hospital length of stay and low complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros, 800 Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04024-000, Brazil, thiagofranchinunes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Thiago Franchi
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Szejnfeld
authors.forename: Ana Carolina Wanderley
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Xavier
authors.forename: Claudio Elias
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Kater
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.forename: Cassio Andreoni
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Suzan Menasce
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Goldman
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media