2013: Radiofrequency ablation with epinephrine injection: In Vivo study in a pig liver model

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether epinephrine injection prior to radiofrequency (RF) ablation can increase the extent of thermally mediated coagulation in in-vivo pig liver tissue.Methods: Eighteen RF ablation zones were created in six pigs with using a 17-gauge internally cooled electrode under ultrasound guidance. Three RF ablation zones were created in each pig under three conditions: RF ablation alone, RF ablation after the injection of 3 mL of normal saline and RF ablation after the injection of 3 mL of epinephrine (1:10,000 solution). After RF ablation, the short-axis and long-axis diameters of the white zones in the gross specimens were compared.Results: Three RF ablations were technically unsuccessful. So, comparison was finally possible in 15 RF ablation zones. The mean short-axis and long-axis diameters of white zone of RF ablation after epinephrine injection (17.2 mm ± 1.8, 20.8 mm ± 3.7) were larger than RF ablation only (10 mm ± 1.2, 12.2 mm ± 1.1) and RF ablation after normal saline injection (12.8 mm ± 1.5, 15.6 mm ± 2.5) (p < .05).Conclusions: RF ablation with epinephrine injection can increase the diameter of the RF ablation zone of the liver and so it may be useful for treating larger lesions. Objectives: To determine whether epinephrine injection prior to radiofrequency (RF) ablation can increase the extent of thermally mediated coagulation in in-vivo pig liver tissue. Methods: Eighteen RF ablation zones were created in six pigs with using a 17-gauge internally cooled electrode under ultrasound guidance. Three RF ablation zones were created in each pig under three conditions: RF ablation alone, RF ablation after the injection of 3 mL of normal saline and RF ablation after the injection of 3 mL of epinephrine (1:10,000 solution). After RF ablation, the short-axis and long-axis diameters of the white zones in the gross specimens were compared. Results: Three RF ablations were technically unsuccessful. So, comparison was finally possible in 15 RF ablation zones. The mean short-axis and long-axis diameters of white zone of RF ablation after epinephrine injection (17.2 mm ± 1.8, 20.8 mm ± 3.7) were larger than RF ablation only (10 mm ± 1.2, 12.2 mm ± 1.1) and RF ablation after normal saline injection (12.8 mm ± 1.5, 15.6 mm ± 2.5) (p < .05). Conclusions: RF ablation with epinephrine injection can increase the diameter of the RF ablation zone of the liver and so it may be useful for treating larger lesions.