Radiofrequency ablation of subpleural lung malignancy: reduced pain using an artificially created pneumothorax

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2009 Jul;32(4):833-6. doi: 10.1007/s00270-009-9513-y. Epub 2009 Feb 5.

Abstract

One of the main issues with radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the subpleural lung malignancy is pain management during and after RF ablation. In this article, we present a case that utilized a technique to decrease the pain associated with RF ablation of a malignancy located within the subpleural lung. Under CT guidance, we created an artificial pneumothorax prior to the RF ablation, which resulted in minimizing the pain usually experienced during and after the procedure. It also decreased the amount of pain medications usually used in patients undergoing RF ablation of a subpleural lung lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Pain / prevention & control*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pneumothorax, Artificial*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed