Endoscopic radiofrequency biliary ablation treatment: A comprehensive review
Corresponding Author
Alberto Larghi
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Corresponding: Alberto Larghi, Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Dipartimento Scienze Gastroenterologiche, Endocrino-Metaboliche e Nefro-Urologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMihai Rimbaș
Gastroenterology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
Search for more papers by this authorAndrea Tringali
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorIvo Boškoski
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGianenrico Rizzatti
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGuido Costamagna
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
IHU-USIAS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Alberto Larghi
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Corresponding: Alberto Larghi, Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Dipartimento Scienze Gastroenterologiche, Endocrino-Metaboliche e Nefro-Urologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMihai Rimbaș
Gastroenterology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
Search for more papers by this authorAndrea Tringali
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorIvo Boškoski
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGianenrico Rizzatti
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGuido Costamagna
Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
IHU-USIAS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) functions by delivering thermal energy within tissue, the result of a high-frequency alternating current released from an active electrode, leading to coagulative necrosis and cellular death. Recently, a biliary catheter working on a guidewire has been developed and a number of studies have so far been carried out. The present article provides a comprehensive review of the literature on the results of the use of RFA for the clinical management of patients with unresectable malignant biliary strictures, benign biliary strictures, and residual adenomatous tissue in the bile duct after endoscopic papillectomy. Available data show that biliary RFA treatment is a promising adjuvant therapy in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction. The procedure is safe, well tolerated and improves stent patency and survival, even though more studies are warranted. In patients with residual endobiliary adenomatous tissue after endoscopic papillectomy, a significant rate of neoplasia eradication after a single RFA session has been reported, thus favoring this treatment over surgical intervention. In these patients, as well as in those with benign biliary strictures, dedicated probes with a short electrode able to focus the RF current on the short stenosis are needed to expand RFA treatment for these indications.
Conflicts of Interest
Authors declare no conflicts of interest for this article.
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