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Efficacy of Tract Embolization After Percutaneous Pulmonary Radiofrequency Ablation

CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology volume 44, pages 903–910 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of tract embolization technique using gelatin sponge slurry with iodinated contrast medium (GSSI) to reduce the incidence of pneumothorax and chest tube placement after computed tomography-guided lung radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Materials and Methods

In this single-institute retrospective study, we examined all patients with metastatic cancer treated from January 2016 to December 2019 by interventional radiologists with computed tomography-guided lung RFA. Since 2017 in our institution, we have applied a tract embolization technique using GSSI for all RFA. Patients were included into those who underwent lung RFA performed either with GSSI (Group A) or without GSSI (Group B). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed between the two groups to identify risk factors for pneumothorax and chest tube placement, including patient demographics and lesion characteristics.

Results

This study included 116 patients (54 men, 62 women; mean age, 65 ± 11 years) who underwent RFA. Group A comprised 71 patients and Group B comprised 45 patients. Patients who underwent tract embolization had a significantly lower incidence of pneumothorax (Group A, 34% vs. Group B, 62%; p < 0.001) and chest tube insertion (Group A, 10% vs. Group B, 29%; p < 0.01). No embolic complications occurred. The hospitalization stay was significantly shorter in patients who underwent tract embolization (mean, 1.04 ± 0.2 days; p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Tract embolization after percutaneous lung RFA significantly reduced the rate of post-RFA pneumothorax and chest tube placement and was safer than the standard lung RFA technique.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Abbreviations

GSSI:

Gelatin sponge slurry with iodinated contrast medium

RFA:

Radiofrequency ablation

CT:

Computed tomography

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, 232 Boulevard de Sainte-Marguerite, 13009, Marseille, France

    Michael Dassa, Jean Izaaryene, Nassima Daidj & Gilles Piana

Authors
  1. Michael Dassa
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  2. Jean Izaaryene
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  3. Nassima Daidj
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Correspondence to Michael Dassa.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Declaration of HELSINKI and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study formal consent is not required.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. This study has obtained IRB approval from the Paoli-Calmettes Institute, and the need for informed consent was waived.

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Cite this article

Dassa, M., Izaaryene, J., Daidj, N. et al. Efficacy of Tract Embolization After Percutaneous Pulmonary Radiofrequency Ablation. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 44, 903–910 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-020-02745-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-020-02745-6

Keywords

  • Gelfoam
  • Chest tube
  • Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation
  • Lung
  • Pneumothorax
  • Cancer