Radiofrequency Ablation: A Promising Treatment Method for Abdominal Wall Endometriosis Publisher Pubmed



Mahdavi A¹ ; Forouzannia SA² ; Goudarzi E² ; Forouzannia SM³ ; Rafiei R² ; Yousefimoghaddam F² ; Rafiei N⁴ ; Padmehr R⁵
Source: CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Published:2024

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the application of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as a treatment method for abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE). Materials and Methods: The characteristics of the AWE lesions in the patients were obtained using ultrasound (US). The patients received general and local anesthesia, and then, AWE lesions were divided into 1 cm3 sections visually, and each of these sections underwent US-guided RFA using the moving shot technique. Follow-up included outpatient appointments, including a US examination 1, 3, and 6 months after the treatment to assess the volume of the lesions. In addition, the level of pain experienced by the patients was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and the day after the procedure, as well as at each follow-up appointment. Results: Ten patients were treated with RFA. The procedural success was achieved in all of the patients. The median volume of the lesions decreased from 7.3 cm3 (IQR = 4.39,23.75) to 2.95 cm3 (IQR = 1.65,9.09) (P = 0.005). All patients reported reduced pain levels, and the median of their VAS score decreased from 9 (IQR = 8,9) to 0 (IQR = 0,1.25) (P = 0.004) at the end of the follow-up period. None of the patients experienced complications related to RFA treatment. Conclusion: Based on the study's findings, RFA appears to be a promising minimally invasive treatment for AWE. However, larger studies with longer follow-up periods are required for a more comprehensive understanding of its efficacy and safety. Level of Evidence: Level 4, Case Series. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.) © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) 2024.