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Results for “Radiofrequency Therapy”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1993

Should radiofrequency therapy be performed in every symptomatic patient with supraventricular tachycardia? (Pro drug position).

The indication for treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia depends on the frequency and severity of the tachycardia attacks. If the tachycardia attacks are mildly symptomatic and occur only once or twice a year, there is no indication for either continuous drug therapy or radiofrequency ablation. The only therapeutic measure required is termination of each acute event. If symptoms occur frequently, long-term antiarrhythmic drug therapy is then indicated and will be effective for chronic prophylaxis in most individuals with a low risk of proarrhythmic events. Only in patients with severe or life-threatening symptoms or cases refractory to drug therapy would radiofrequency ablation possibly be justified.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗

PubMed2003

[Study on the treatment of head and neck late recurrence tumors by using multi-bullet radiofrequency therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the treatment to head and neck-late recurrence tumors by using multi-bullet radiofrequency therapy. METHOD: Eleven patients with late recurrence head and neck tumors were treated by using multi-bullet radiofrequency therapy. Before and after the therapy, the tumor size, pathologic alteration were assessed. The serial changes in tumor size after therapy were evaluated with CT imaging. The effects, side-effects and indications of this therapy were observed also. RESULT: The ablation, coagulation and necrosis of tumors were observed during the multi-bullet radiofrequency therapy in all this 11 patients. The tumors disappeared in CT scanning during 1.2-2.6 years follow up. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the multi-bullet radiofrequency therapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with head and neck late recurrence tumors.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Interstitial radiofrequency therapy of the prostate: results of a pilot study.

PURPOSE: We assessed the feasibility of using interstitial radiofrequency therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in 50 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Therapy was given using a standard diathermy unit as the radiofrequency generator and a disposable needle electrode. The main outcome measure was improvement in symptoms assessed by symptom scores. RESULTS: Patients with bothersome symptoms or acute retention showed clinically significant improvements in symptom score, while those with chronic retention did not. There were no serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Interstitial radiofrequency therapy may be effective for symptomatic BPH. Further studies with long-term objective data are under way to assess its role in the management of BPH.

Aged↗

PubMed1976

Tumor eradication by radiofrequency therapy. Responses in 21 patients.

Tumor blood flow, measured by an isotope dilution technique, is only 2% to 15% of that of the surrounding tissue. This sluggish circulation differentiates cancer from normal tissue and forms the basis for a new therapy that entails the transfer of radiofrequency (RF) energy for heating tissues locally. The heated tissue is cooled by the circulation of blood, which carries away the heat. Impaired perfusion, as in cancers, impedes cooling. Heating by RF elevated the temperatures of animal and human cancers by 5 to 9.5 C above that of healthy tissue. The heat eradicated the animal cancers without destruction of normal tissue. Radiofrequency therapy produced tissue necrosis or substantial regression of cancer in 21 patients.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

A prospective randomized trial of interstitial radiofrequency therapy versus transurethral resection for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a prospective randomized trial comparing interstitial radiofrequency therapy (IRFT) with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The change in detrusor pressure at maximum flow (PdetQmax) was chosen as the primary measure of outcome but the symptom score, Qmax and residual volume were also measured. Patients with urodynamic evidence of BOO were randomized to receive IRFT (n = 25) or TURP (n = 25); the urodynamics were repeated 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in PdetQmax at 6 months for TURP (P < 0.001) and IRFT (P < 0.01) although the change seen in the latter group was probably not clinically relevant. Nevertheless, a clinically relevant reduction in symptom score occurred in both groups. Both techniques were associated with a low morbidity. CONCLUSION: IRFT is a cheap and safe technique which may be useful in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in certain groups of patients in whom symptomatic improvement is a priority rather than objective outcome. The underlying mechanism for this symptomatic improvement is at present unclear.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Interstitial radiofrequency therapy of the prostate in the management of acute urinary retention.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in a prospective study the efficacy of interstitial radiofrequency therapy (IRFT) of the prostate in relieving acute urinary retention in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients presenting in acute urinary retention who failed at least one trial of voiding one week after presentation were treated with IRFT of the prostate. During the 6-month follow-up, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), urinary flow rate, post-void residual volume (PVR) and serum creatinine were determined and changes in erectile and ejaculatory functions recorded. The treatment was considered successful if the patient resumed normal voiding, without compromising renal function and without troublesome lower urinary tract symptoms necessitating further treatment. RESULTS: Of the 26 evaluable patients, 77% resumed normal voiding. At 6 months after treatment, the mean (SD) IPSS had decreased from 15.0 (8.3) to 8 (5.4), the PVR from 950 (203) to 88 (60) mL and the maximum flow rate was 10.5 (4.36) mL/s. CONCLUSION: IRFT of the prostate is a safe and effective treatment, at least in the short-term, for relieving acute urinary retention in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The longer term follow-up is continuing.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

The 2-year symptomatic and urodynamic results of a prospective randomized trial of interstitial radiofrequency therapy vs transurethral resection of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the 2-year symptomatic and urodynamic results of a prospective randomized trial of interstitial radiofrequency therapy of the prostate (IRFT) vs transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urodynamic evidence of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) were randomized to undergo IRFT or TURP and were followed up using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and urodynamic assessment for 2 years. RESULTS: At 2 years there was a clinically relevant reduction in the IPSS in the IRFT (20 to 9) and TURP groups (22 to 4). There was also a statistically significant reduction in the detrusor pressure at maximum urinary flow in both groups, but the reduction in the IRFT group was probably not sufficient to explain the observed symptomatic improvements solely from a reduction in BOO. CONCLUSION: IRFT can produce a sustained improvement in LUTS for at least 2 years. However, such improvements are unlikely to be entirely the result of a reduction in BOO. The effects of radiofrequency energy may, at least partly, be independent of any thermal effect and depend instead on neuromodulation of lower urinary tract nerves.

Catheter Ablation↗

PubMed2003

Lumbosacral radiculopathy following radiofrequency ablation therapy.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a treatment modality for several types of malignancies and vascular malformations. Only limited information is available on neurologic complications following RFA. We report three cases of acute lumbosacral radiculopathy after abdominal RFA, in two of which electrophysiologic studies were performed. All three patients had significant spontaneous clinical improvement. We suggest the underlying cause was partial axonopathy due to thermal injury, but with a good prognosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[New knowledge regarding tumor cell inactivation and histological evaluation after radiofrequency therapy. Single case observation and in vitro proof of a new hypothesis].

In a study, a radiofrequency (RF) treatment was performed on a patient with a small breast cancer after vacuum biopsy. As usual in cases with a malignant diagnosis, surgical excision and axillary dissection followed. Histopathology revealed some residual tumor in the margin of the cavity. It could not be distinguished from vital tumor on the hematotoxylin eosin (HE) stain. Based on the correlation of MRI and histopathology after subsequent surgical excision, we did, however, presume that the residual was contained within the zone of inactivation. Thus the hypothesis arose that, if too high temperatures can be avoided, it might be possible to inactivate tumor cells without significantly impairing histopathologic assessment. This hypothesis was supported by the following in vitro experiment performed on a fresh specimen: An RF treatment was performed using temperatures up to 70 degrees C only. Half of the specimen underwent HE-staining, the other half vitality testing. The results indicate that if a given temperature range is strictly observed it appears possible to inactivate tissue before tissue sampling, since histopathologic diagnosis will not be impaired. Further technologic improvements may eventually allow to develop a pre-treatment method which might permit to avoid potential hematogenous tumor spread during subsequent biopsy.

Biopsy↗

PubMed2003

Multilevel temperature-controlled radiofrequency therapy of soft palate, base of tongue, and tonsils in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The concept of two-level pharyngeal collapse in patients with obstructive sleep apnea is too simplified. Aggressive multilevel surgeries addressing several airway segments, including skeletal surgery, demonstrate improved success rates. STUDY DESIGN: The study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of multilevel radiofrequency application to soft palate, tonsils, and base of tongue in 16 white patients (mean age, 56.9 +/- 11.1 y; mean body mass index, 27.3 +/- 2.6 kg/m2) with obstructive sleep apnea. There was one dropout. Therapeutic effects after one treatment session were assessed 20.6 +/- 12.6 weeks postoperatively. Treatment outcome measurements were based on Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Likert scales, and polysomnography. METHODS: Every patient received 16 treatment sites with a total dose of 9750 J radiofrequency energy into soft palate, base of tongue, and tonsils. Success was defined as respiratory disturbance index equal to or less than 20 or at least 50% improvement if baseline respiratory disturbance index was less than 20. Statistical analysis was determined with the Spearman rank test. RESULTS: Mean score on Epworth Sleepiness Scale decreased from 11.1 to 8.2 (P =.0001). Of the patients, 53.3% reported improvement of their daytime sleepiness. Snoring was assessed with 10-point Lickert scale, and score decreased from 7.5 to 4.9 (P =.08). Mean respiratory disturbance index decreased from 32.6 +/- 17.4 to 22.0 +/- 15.0 (P =.003). By our definition of success, 5 of 15 patients (33%) have been treated successfully surgically and 4 of 15 (27%) had remarkable improvement after one treatment session; 1 patient (6.6%) demonstrated deterioration. There were two adverse effects, one superficial ulceration of the soft palate and one unilateral tonsillar abscess formation, with an overall complication rate of 13.3% for our patients and 0.41% for all treatment sites (n = 240). CONCLUSION: Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea usually requires multilevel pharyngeal surgery. Radiofrequency offers the potential of altering the upper airway on different sites.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combined ethanol injection therapy and radiofrequency ablation therapy in percutaneous treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 4 cm.

BACKGROUND: Optimal treatment of large-sized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still debated, because percutaneous ablation therapies alone do not always achieve complete necrosis. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the treatment of patients with HCC larger than 4 cm in diameter by combined percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency thermal ablation. METHODS: In a 5-year period there were 40 consecutive patients meeting the inclusion criteria (24 men and 16 women; age range 41-72 years, mean 58 years). These subjects had a single HCC larger than 4 cm. Twelve subjects also had one or two additional nodules smaller than 4 cm (mean 1.2 nodules per patient). Patients were submitted to one to three sessions consisting of ethanol injection at two opposite tumor poles (mean 12 ml) and then of radiofrequency application through one or two electrodes placed at the tumor center (mean treatment duration 30 min). RESULTS: Complete necrosis was obtained in all cases with one to three sessions (mean 1.3 sessions per patient). All patients experienced pain and fever but one only subject had a major complication requiring treatment (abscess development and fistulization). Overall follow-up was 7-69 months. Two patients showed local recurrence and 9 developed new etherotopic HCC nodules. Seven subjects died during follow-up while 33 were free from recurrence 8-69 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: A combination of ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation is effective in the treatment of large HCC.

Adult↗

PubMed2000