Bipolar Radio Frequency Ablation of Spinal Neoplasms in Late Stage Cancer Disease: A Report of Three Cases

Study Design. Case report. Objective. To avoid neuronal damage by using the bipolar radio frequency ablation of spinal tumors. Summary of Background Data. Radio frequency ablation of tumorous masses is an established procedure and is increasingly used as pain therapy of unresectable spine tumors. Ablation of lesions adjacent to vulnerable structures remains a challenging task because flow of current is insufficiently controlled by monopolar probes. Using this technique, a prediction of the induced necrosis accurate to the millimeter is not feasible. Methods. Three patients with metastases of the spine were treated using the bipolar radio frequency ablation. Results. In all 3 cases collateral damage of neuronal structures could be avoided even though tumorous masses touched the cauda equina or were very close to vulnerable structures, respectively. The induction of necrosis was predictable to the millimeter. Conclusion. Ablation of tumorous masses adjacent to neural structures by bipolar technique, is feasible and predictable. Spinal cord damage can be avoided by exact planning of the induced necrosis.