Percutaneous bipolar radiofrequency ablation for spine metastatic lesions.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this review is to become familiar with the most common indications for imaging guided percutaneous bipolar radiofrequency ablation, to learn about different technical considerations during performance providing the current evidence. Controversies concerning products will be addressed.


METHODS
We performed a literature review excluding non-English studies and case reports. All references of the obtained articles were also evaluated for any additional information.


RESULTS
RFA achieves cytotoxicity by raising target area temperatures above 60 °C, and may be used to achieve total necrosis of lesions smaller than 3 cm in diameter, to debulk and reduce the pain associated with larger lesions, to prevent pathological fractures due to progressive osteolysis or for cavity creation aiming for targeted cement delivery in case of posterior vertebral wall breaching. Protective ancillary techniques should be used in order to increase safety and augment efficacy of RFA in the spine.


CONCLUSION
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of vertebral lesions is a reproducible, successful and safe procedure. Ablation should be combined with vertebral augmentation in all cases. In order to optimize maximum efficacy a patient- and a lesion-tailored approach should both be offered focusing upon clinical and performance status along with life expectancy of the patient as well as upon lesion characteristics.
['Filippiadis|Dimitrios|D|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1424-7464', 'Kelekis|Alexis|A|']
D001843:Bone Cements D017115:Catheter Ablation D006801:Humans D000078703:Radiofrequency Ablation D013125:Spinal Neoplasms D013131:Spine D016896:Treatment Outcome
Radiofrequency ablation Spine Metastasis