title: Irreversible electroporation of the pig kidney with involvement of the renal pelvis: technical aspects, clinical outcome, and three-dimensional CT rendering for assessment of the treatment zone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze irreversible electroporation (IRE) of the pig kidney with involvement of the renal pelvis.
  
  
  METHODS
  IRE of renal tissue including the pelvis was performed in 10 kidneys in five pigs. Three study groups were defined: group I (two applicators with parallel configuration; n = 11), group II (three applicators with triangular configuration; n = 2), and group III (six applicators with complex configuration; n = 3). After IRE and before euthanasia, pigs underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Technical aspects (radial distance of applicators, resulting mean current), clinical outcome (complications, blood samples), and three-dimensional CT rendering for assessment of the treatment zone (short axis, circularity) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radial distances of applicators were 14.3 mm ± 2.8 in group I, 12.3 mm ± 1.9 in group II, and 16.4 mm ± 3.5 in group III. Resulting mean currents were 25.7 A ± 6.5 in group I, 27.0 A ± 7.1 in group II, and 39.4 A ± 8.9 in group III. In group III, two perirenal hematomas were identified. There was no damage to the renal pelvis. During IRE, clinical blood parameters and cardiovascular markers did not change significantly. Short axis measurements were 20.6 mm ± 3.6 in group I, 31.9 mm ± 8.2 in group II, and 39.3 mm ± 2.4 in group III (P < .01 between groups). Circularity scores were 0.8 ± 0.2 in group I, 0.7 ± 0.1 in group II, and 0.7 ± 0.1 in group III, with a score of 1 indicating perfect roundness (P value not significant).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IRE of the pig kidney with involvement of the renal pelvis is feasible and safe. Size but not shape of the treatment zone is significantly affected by applicator configuration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. Electronic address: christof.sommer@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Christof M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.forename: Miguel F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Wachter
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vollherbst
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Stampfl
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bellemann
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gockner
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mokry
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gnutzmann
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knapp
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Longerich
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuhn-Neureuther
authors.forename: Philippe L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Hans U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Kauczor
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Boris A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Radeleff
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques; D000818:Animals; D018274:Electroporation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D013552:Swine; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: 3D; ECG; IRE; electrocardiography; irreversible electroporation; three-dimensional