Abstract

To assess the feasibility and safety of percutaneous microwave ablation of the lung in rabbits, percutaneous puncture and lung microwave ablation were performed in seven New Zealand white rabbits under computed tomography (CT) guidance. Technical feasibility and complications were evaluated. Two rabbits were sacrificed immediately and gross and microscopic pathology was analyzed. The remaining rabbits received CT scans 1 week and 3 months later. CT scans showed the ablation size was 1.1 ~ 1.6 cm immediately after ablation. The lesions shrank slightly 1 week later. After 3 months, the ablation lesions involuted significantly and even disappeared. Mild pneumothorax was found in 2 rabbits but resolved spontaneously 1 week later. Histologic changes in the microwave lesions were observed which were characterized by the central necrosis and edema of surrounding tissues. It is feasible and safe to perform CT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of the lung in rabbits. Although further study is still required; microwave ablation can be used as a minimally invasive and effective therapeutic technique in patients with lung tumors.

Key words: Lung, computed tomography, microwave ablation.