Solid Organ Cool-tip Radiofrequency Ablation: An Experimental Study with Clinicopathological Correlations

Abstract

Background/aim: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with internally cooled electrodes is a technique for the in situ treatment of solid tumors, inducing characteristic pathological changes with limited clinical complications. Our purpose was to assess RFA-induced histological alterations and correlate them with clinical complications.

Materials and methods: Using a porcine model, the pathology of RFA-induced kidney, liver and spleen lesions was associated with the postoperative course and clinical complications recorded.

Results: Complications and relevant histological lesions, including abscess formation, hemorrhage and bile or urinary leakage, were limited or absent. The majority of RFA-induced necrotic tissue exhibited preserved architecture, with relatively limited inflammatory reaction, associated with sealing of blood/bile vessels or urinary tubules along the periphery of the lesions.

Conclusion: The preserved architecture of RFA-induced necrotic tissue, its slow clearance, the relatively limited inflammation and the ability of RFA to seal blood/bile/urinary vessels are probably responsible for the minimal complications observed.

Keywords: RFA; abscess; bile leakage; complications; hemorrhage.