Comparison of expandable electrodes in percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma

• Published in: European journal of radiology 2006-08, Vol.59 (2), p.133-139
• Main Authors: Gulesserian, Talin, Mahnken, Andreas H., Schernthaner, Ruediger, Memarsadeghi, Mazda, Weber, Michael, Tacke, A., Kettenbach, Joachim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - surgery; Catheter Ablation - instrumentation; Electrodes - classification; Female; Humans; Kidney; Kidney Neoplasms - pathology; Kidney Neoplasms - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm thermal ablation renal cell carcinoma; Neoplasm, Residual - surgery; Radiofrequency ablation; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2006.04.005

To compare two different expandable electrodes in radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma. Percutaneous ablation was performed at two centers using either an expandable 7F umbrella-shaped LeVeen™ probe (diameter 2–4 cm) and a 200-W generator (group A), or an expandable Starburst XL™ electrode with a 150-W generator (group B). From each center, eight patients with one tumor each were matched retrospectively with regard to tumor volume, which was 9.71 ± 6.43 cm 3 for group A and 8.74 ± 4.35 cm 3 for group B (mean tumor diameter: 2.47 ± 0.9 cm versus 2.50 ± 0.4 cm, respectively). An unpaired t-test showed no significant difference in tumor volume between the two groups ( p = 0.820). Sixteen patients with 16 tumors were treated. The primary technical success of radiofrequency ablation was 94% (15 of 16 patients). After retreatment of residual tumor in one patient from group B, secondary technical success was 100%. No major complications were observed. The resulting mean volume of the almost spherical necroses was 21.1 ± 9.1 cm 3 versus 14.6 ± 6.7 cm 3 for groups A and B (diameter of necrosis: 3.5 ± 0.7 cm versus 3.1 ± 0.6 cm, respectively). A Mann–Whitney U-test showed no significant difference in necrosis volume between the two groups (CI [−0.215; 0.471]; p = 0.2892). The calculated shape value of S (ratio of length to height of the coagulation necrosis) was 0.9 ± 0.1 and 1.0 ± 0.1 for groups A and B, respectively. No local recurrence was observed during a mean follow-up of 14.8 ± 11.6 months, while extrarenal tumor progression occurred in three patients. No significant differences in coagulation volume and shape were found after RF ablation of renal cell carcinoma using two different expandable electrodes. To avoid local recurrence, however, accurate placement of probes and appropriate expansion of the electrode is necessary.