Key result
Radiofrequency tissue ablation produced cylindrical or cone-like lesions that reached maximum size in 3 to 5 minutes, contradicting manufacturer reports of spherical lesions.
In an ex vivo egg white model, RF ablation lesion geometry did not match manufacturer reports of spherical lesions, and maximum size was reached in 3-5 minutes, suggesting shorter treatment cycles may be sufficient.
Challenges manufacturer reports on RF lesion geometry; leaves open need for clinical validation of shorter treatment times.
PURPOSE: To investigate the temperature distribution and geometry of lesions created by radiofrequency (RF) tissue ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed an ex-vivo thermal model based on the ability of egg whites to coagulate at 62 degrees to 65 degrees C. This property allows us to observe and record the formation of "lesions" created by different commercially available RF generators and probes. RESULTS: The lesions created by the Radionics Cool-Tip RF system were mostly cylindrical or barrel-shaped, while RITA StarBurst XL and StarBurst XLi electrodes produced cone-like or mushroom-shaped lesions. The time required to achieve maximum lesion size was between 3 and 5 minutes in most trials. The formation of lesions stopped when thermodynamic equilibrium was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The geometry of lesions does not correlate precisely with manufacturer reports, which describe spherical lesions for both RF systems. The 12-minute treatment cycle recommended by company's algorithm may not be necessary because lesion formation was completed and thermodynamic equilibrium was reached significantly earlier. We believe the results of our study may be useful in better understanding the RF ablation process, better planning, and improvement of clinical outcome.
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Lobik et al. (2005) studied this question. Radiofrequency tissue ablation was evaluated on Temperature distribution and geometry of lesions. Radiofrequency tissue ablation produced cylindrical or cone-like lesions that reached maximum size in 3 to 5 minutes, contradicting manufacturer reports of spherical lesions.
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