Saline-enhanced radiofrequency ablation of breast tissue - An in vitro feasibility study

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The feasibility of radiofrequency (RF) ablation f or the treatment of breast tumors was investigated in vitro. The best param eters for ablation of breast tissue were chosen. METHODS. Saline-enhanced RP ablation was performed in human breast tissue s pecimens and cow udder tissue, Temperature profiles were measured depending on RF power (20, 28, 36 W) and NaCl infusion rate (15, 30, 60 mL/h) using eight thermocouples. Lesion development was monitored by ultrasound, Thermo lysis efficiency was measured by tissue weight determinations before and af ter ablation, RESULTS. After RF ablation of tissue samples, 73.6% turned into a fat/salin e emulsion. Ultrasound monitoring showed a cone-shaped hyperechoic area dur ing the first 2 minutes of RF ablation, followed by an irregular expansion of the area. Time-dependent spatial temperature curves were more homogeneou s at low infusion rates (15 mL/h), Peak temperatures up to 160 degrees C we re measured. CONCLUSIONS. Controlled RF ablation of breast tissue is feasible, The irreg ular expansion of RF lesions in fatty breast tissue is due to liquefied fat , Low saline interstitial infusion rates result in better control of lesion ing.