Complications of Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatic, Pulmonary, and Renal Neoplasms

Matthew J Howenstein; Kent T Sato

doi:10.1055/s-0030-1261787

Seminars in Interventional Radiology, Table of Contents

Semin intervent Radiol 2010; 27(3): 285-295
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1261787

Complications of Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatic, Pulmonary, and Renal Neoplasms

Matthew J. Howenstein¹ , Kent T. Sato¹

¹Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Percutaneous thermal ablation has emerged as a viable technique for treatment of numerous solid organ malignancies. As the number of these procedures increases, so do the complications that are seen. Most common complications are generally related to bleeding from the target organ during or after the procedure and from thermal injury to adjacent structures. The nature of these injuries depends on the particular organ being treated, therefore it it best to categorize them this way. We will review the more common complications seen following the ablation of tumors in the liver, kidney, and lung, discuss the clinical presentation associated with each, and suggest precautions to help avoid them in the future. Understanding the potential risks associated with this procedure is critical for treatment planning and fundamental for performing these procedures safely.

KEYWORDS

Complication - radiofrequency - ablation - liver - tumor

Full Text

References

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Kent T SatoM.D.

Department of Radiology, Northwestern University

251 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Email: k-sato@northwestern.edu