title: Irreversible Electroporation of the Femoral Neurovascular Bundle: Imaging and Histologic Evaluation in a Swine Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate imaging, histologic changes, and safety of irreversible electroporation (IRE) on the femoral neurovascular bundle in a swine model.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was approved by the institutional animal ethics committee. IRE was performed on the right femoral neurovascular bundle of 9 swine, which were subsequently sacrificed at 24 hours (n = 4, acute group), 7 days (n = 4, subacute group), or 21 days (n = 1, delayed group). Clinical observation, computed tomography (CT), and pathologic examination were carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the procedure, 7 of 9 subjects were able to stand and walk, and the remaining 2 subjects could eventually do so within 1 week. The femoral vessels were patent on CT and gross examination. There was microscopic evidence of venous thrombosis in 75% of the subacute group. Except for mild perineural inflammation observed in 1 subject in the subacute group, the femoral nerves were intact on gross and histologic examination. Significant damage to the surrounding muscle and soft tissue was identified on CT and histology, manifesting as necrosis, hematoma, and inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ablative effect of IRE on muscle and soft tissue manifested as necrosis, hemorrhage, and inflammation. Histologic changes were observed in the perineural tissue and veins in a few subjects. The clinical implication of such changes and safety of clinical use of IRE for lesions encasing the neurovascular bundle in humans are yet to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong S.A.R., People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Simon Sin Man
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong S.A.R., People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Joyce Wai Yi
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.affiliation: Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong S.A.R., People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Anthony Wing Hung
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong S.A.R., People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Cheuk Man
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: The Laboratory Animal Services Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong S.A.R., People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dewi Kenneth
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Rowlands
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong S.A.R., People's Republic of China. Electronic address: simonyu@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Simon Chun Ho
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods*; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome