CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for lung neoplasms adjacent to the pericardium.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety and effectiveness of computed-tomography-guided (CT-guided) percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for lung neoplasms adjacent to the pericardium.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective study was approved by the institutional ethics committee, and all patients provided written informed consent. Between January 1, 2012 and March 31, 2016, 49 consecutive patients (32 men and 17 women; mean age 47.9 years; range 16-67 years) with 51 tumors (mean diameter 17.7 ± 7.2 mm; range 4-30 mm) located within 10 mm of the pericardium underwent percutaneous CT-guided RFA. The technical success rate, local progression-free survival (LPFS), risk factors for local progression, and safety of this technique were evaluated.

RESULTS

The technical success rate was 96.1% (49/51), and the LPFS was 98.0%, 93.0%, 84.0%, and 77.0% at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. A tumor size >2.0 cm (p = .045) and the primary lung tumor types (p = .013) were associated with local progression. No treatment-related deaths occurred. The incidence of major complications was 15.7%; complications included pneumothorax (5.9%, 3/51), pleural effusion (3.9%, 2/51), pneumonitis (3.9%, 2/51), and hemothorax (2.0%, 1/51).

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous CT-guided RFA can be a safe and effective option for the treatment of lung malignancies adjacent to the pericardium.