Measuring and optimizing results in multipolar RFA: Techniques and early findings in an experimental setting
Issue title: Selected Presentations held at the 33th Annual Conference of the German Society for Clinical Microcirculation and Hemorheology, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, 14-15 November, 2014
Affiliations: Department of Radiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany | Department of General, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
Note: [] Corresponding author: Stefan M. Niehues, Department of Radiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, D-12203 Berlin, Germany. E-mail: Stefan.Niehues@charite.de
Abstract: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has shown to be a reasonable alternative for the treatment of hepatic tumors and metastases although multiple limitations remain. Cooling effects due to larger vessels can prevent complete coverage and may lead to early tumor relapse. This preliminary in vivo pig study combines the use of multipolar RFA with three applicators (six electrodes) and interrupted liver perfusion using Pringle's maneuver to overcome the most serious limitations. Furthermore, immediate detection of incomplete RFA is important to revise ablation. We used contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) to evaluate post ablation results in comparison to macroscopic images in healthy pig liver. We found significantly (p = 0.001) larger ablation zones and no affection by larger vessels with interrupted liver perfusion. This allows effective RFA for larger tumors. Immediate postinterventional CECT provided comparable results (r = 0.985) to macroscopic evaluation.
