Measurement of intratumoral pressure during radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Background: Some of the unexpected recurrence observed after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) might be caused by increased intratumoral pressure. The present study examined the relationship between RFA and intratumoral pressure.
Subjects and Methods: Thirty-two patients with a mean tumor size of 14.7 ± 1.1 mm were studied. A LeVeen^™ needle electrode was used for RFA. Intratumoral pressure was monitored using an invasive blood pressure monitor. RFA was performed with multi-step method (The array was deployed in 8 steps according to tumor size. At each step, the power was fixed at 30 W until power roll-off).
Results: Intratumoral pressure was measured easily and safely in all cases. Mean maximum intratumoral pressure was as follows: 4/8 expansion, 38.6 ± 25.9 mmHg; 6/8 expansion, 38.0 ± 32.1 mmHg; and complete (8/8) expansion, 39.1 ± 28.7 mmHg. The multi-step method allowed suppression of increases in intratumoral pressure. The patients did not experience much pain during RFA.
Conclusions: The intratumoral pressure measurement that we employed is relatively easy and is suited for monitoring pressure during RFA.