Necessary information about RFA

1. RADIO FREQUENCY
ABLATION
Cadelario, Patricia L.
Velarde, Lhouise Lane M.

2. RF ABLATION
High Frequency
Electrical Energy
Destroy/burn tissues
Outpatient setting
Local anaesthesia or
Conscious sedation
anaesthesia

3. USED FOR…
 Primary/ Metastatic tumors less than 5cm (lung,
liver[HCC], kidney, bone, pancreatic CA, bile duct CA )
 Cardiac Arrhythmia
 Aesthetics Dermatology (most of the skin lesions)
 Varicose Veins
 Obstructive Sleep Apnea
 Pain Management
 Barrett’s esophagus

5. NOT recommended to..
People who have an infection
Have bleeding problems
Pregnant women

6. WHO performs the procedure?
Physiatrists (PM&R)
Radiologists
Anesthesiologists
Neurologists
Surgeons

7. Equipment used..
Probe (lone needle electrode)
CT Scan
Ultrasound
MRI

8. WHAT to expect?
Anesthesia
VS Monitoring
Entire procedure lasts for 1-3 hours
Ablation: Takes 10-30 minutes
Low grade fever
Flu-like symptoms
Post-procedure pain