Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation of Spinal Neoplasms: Average Power to be the Most Predictive Value in Respect of Induced Extent of Ablation Volume

Objective: To obtain an equation for the prediction of radiofrequency induced ablation volumes. Summary of Background Data: Radiofrequency ablation of tumor masses is an established procedure and is increasingly used as pain therapy of unresectable spine tumors. The bipolar radiofrequency ablation potentially minimizes the risk of injury to adjacent structures. Predictability of the extent of the induced ablation zosne has been hown on an ex-vivo model. There has been no investigation examining the parameters of radiofrequency ablation in an in-vivo model. Methods: 38 lesions of the spine in 36 patients were treated using bipolar radiofrequency ablation. Extent of ablated tissue, amount of administered energy, average power and total duration of ablation were recorded. Results: Induced Volume of Necrosis (VN) correlates with Average Power (AP) following the equation VN=-3.579+0.998*AP. Conclusion: Average power can be used as the most predictive parameter for calculation of the induced necrosis volume in an in-vivo model too.