Radiofrequency Ablation of Lung Tumors Still Considered a Safe Procedure
The objective of a recent study was to assess the effect of various factors on the complications and side effects associated with CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of lung tumors.
This retrospective review has concluded that patients with emphysema need to be counseled about the increased risk of complications occurring after CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors.
Methodology
57 patients underwent 112 treatment sessions of CT-guided RFA of unresectable lung tumors. Several risk factors were analyzed, including gender, age, tumor diameter, location, prior surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, electrode size, patient position, and ablation time.
Body Imaging: Abdominal, Thoracic and Vascular University of California, San Francisco, Department of Radiology Course Director: Judy Yee, MD This program is designed for the radiologist in clinical practice, and is intended to provide an overview and update on clinically relevant topics in diagnostic imaging and interventional techniques. Click here to read more or order: Body Imaging
Results of the Study
The total rate of side effects was 17%, the total rate of minor complications was 50%, and the total rate of major complications was 8%. Minor complications included pneumothorax not requiring chest tube, subcutaneous emphysema, and hemoptysis.
Major complications included fever, lung abscess, pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement, and air embolism.
Multivariate analysis demonstrated that lesions located <=1 cm of the chest wall were significantly associated with pain.
The risk of pneumothorax increased significantly with a history of prior lung surgery and with the presence of emphysema. No other factors significantly influenced complications after RFA.
Conclusions
After CT-guided RFA of unresectable lung tumors, the overall complication rate was 58%, with major complications occurring in 8% of cases. RFA still can be considered a safe and minimally invasive procedure. Air embolism is rarely seen after transthoracic lung biopsy and RFA, but it can be potentially fatal if not treated aggressively.
Author: Sohail Contractor, MD
Reference:
Okuma T, Matsuoka T, et al. Frequency and Risk Factors of Various Complications After Computed Tomography-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation of Lung Tumors. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol; 2008; 31 (January-February): 122-130
Permalink: http://www.radiologydaily.com/?p=2331
Tags: ablation, abscess, Air Emboli, air embolism, ALL, biopsy, computed tomography, CT, CTA, EFE, embolism, Emphysema, HAI, hemoptysis, lung biopsy, lung cancer, lung tumors, MI, PE, pneumothorax, pulmonary disease, rad, Radiofrequency Ablation, RFA, SPECT, TIA, tomography, tumors
Related
Would you like to keep current with radiological news and information?
Follow us on 
Free Special Reports on leading Radiology topics for you to download now. Plus, get free email newsletters.
- Ultrasound of the Female Pelvis: Ectopic Pregnancy, Ovarian Masses and Endometrial Carcinoma
- Advances in Spine Imaging
- Virtual Colonoscopy For Colon Cancer Screening Compared With Conventional Colonoscopy
- Imaging of Acute Stroke: Early Detection is Key
- Pancreatic Imaging: Current Techniques
- MRI of the Knee: New Technical Developments
- Computer-Aided Detection in Mammography: Five Key Breast Imaging Questions and Answers
- Renal Masses: Benign or Malignant?
- Pediatric Radiology: Building An Effective Safety Team
- Nuclear Medicine: Emerging Criteria To Determine Success in Treating Cancer
RSS Feed (what is this?) | Privacy Policy
Copyright 2011 Oakstone Medical Publishing.
All Rights Reserved.