Radio-frequency tissue ablation of VX2 tumor nodules in the rabbit lung

doi:10.1016/S1076-6332(96)80303-5

Academic Radiology

Volume 3, Issue 11, November 1996, Pages 929-935

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1076-6332(96)80303-5 Get rights and content

Rationale and Objectives.

The authors investigated whether small pulmonary malignancies could be treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided, percutaneously placed radio-frequency (RF) electrodes.

Methods.

Pulmonary tumors were created in 11 New Zealand white rabbits by using CT-guided injection of a VX2 sarcoma cell suspension into the lower portion of the right lung. Tumors were allowed to grow 14–21 days to achieve a diameter of 6–12 mm. Electrodes were placed coaxially into the tumors via insulated 19-gauge Turner needles. Seven tumors were treated with RF for 6 minutes at 90°C. Four tumors served as controls and were not treated. Follow-up CT and histopathologic analysis were performed on days 0–28. Specimens from treated rabbits were examined histopathologically on days 0 and 3 (n = 2 each), and days 1, 5, and 28 (n = 1 each).

Results.

Immediately following treatment, CT images showed rounded opacities enveloping the tumor. This corresponded histologically to coagulation necrosis of tumor and surrounding alveoli. In all cases, at least 95% of treated tumor nodules were necrotic at histopathologic analysis. Peripheral residual nests of histologically viable tumor were seen in three rabbits (43%). Control rabbits showed growing tumor nodules without necrosis at autopsy (mean survival, 23 days after inoculation). Two RF-treated rabbits (29%) and one control rabbit (25%) had pneumothoraces.

Conclusion.

Percutaneous RF tissue ablation can be used to successfully treat small parenchymal tumor nodules within the lung in an animal model.

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The ideal pressure was 30 mmHg. All rabbits were inoculated successfully and the template adequately fit the rabbit chest. The experimental group displayed significantly better operation time (198.93±36.64 vs 735.14±91.19 seconds); number of CT scans (0 vs 7.19±1.64); pneumothorax (11.9% vs 35.7%), chest seeding (16.7% vs 35.7%), and mid-lung field tumor-bearing (88.1% vs 59.5%) rates than the control group (all, P <0.05). The groups did not differ in rib injury, tumor volume or survival time (all, P > 0.05).
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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was first described with use of a modified Bovie knife in the liver in animal studies published in 1990. Subsequent descriptions of successful ablation of liver tumors in the mid-1990s elicited interest in using the technique in other organs. RFA in the lung was first found to be safe and efficacious in animal studies in both health lung and VX2 sarcomas in the lungs of rabbits. Successful use of RFA for lung tumors in humans was described in 2000 in a study of patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). RFA has since been adopted as a treatment alternative for patients with early-stage NSCLC who are unable to undergo surgical resections. Since the initial identification of RFA as the prototypical thermal ablation technique, it has been joined by microwave ablation, cryoablation, and, more recently, irreversible electroporation as potential options for tumor ablation.
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Citation Excerpt :
It has only recently been translated into treating lung tumours. Goldberg et al.10 inoculated VX2 sarcoma into rabbit lungs and performed RFA treatment following computed tomography (CT) guided placement of 19-gauge Turner needles. Histological analysis showed coagulative necrosis of the tumour and surrounding alveoli, with at least 95% of tumour nodules being necrotic in all treated cases.
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: Supported in part by a grant from Radionics, Inc, Burlington, MA.

View full text

Radio-frequency tissue ablation of VX2 tumor nodules in the rabbit lung

Rationale and Objectives.

Methods.

Results.

Conclusion.

JVIR

Acad Radiol

Acad Radiol

Osteoid osteoma: percutaneous radio-frequency ablation

Radiology

Preliminary experience with MR-guided thermal ablation of brain tumors

AJNR

Percutaneous US-guided RF tissue ablation of liver metastases: long-term follow up

Radiology

Saline-enhanced RF tissue ablation in the treatment of liver metastases

Radiology

Percutaneous radio-frequency electrocautery of hepatic metastases

Eur Radiol

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided radio-frequency electrocautery for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma

J Intervent Radiol