Musculoskeletal interventional radiology: radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation is the use of low-voltage high-frequency electrical energy to heat and destroy abnormal tissues within the human body. It has gained increasing acceptance as both a primary and secondary form of treatment in the musculoskeletal system because of its excellent safety profile, ease of use, and technical success. In the musculoskeletal system, radiofrequency ablation may be used to treat a wide range of lesions that include primary lesions such as osteoid osteomas and a variety of metastases both within the osseous skeleton as well as those lying within the muscles and soft tissues. In this chapter, a background to the principles, physics, and indications of radiofrequency is presented as well as an in-depth description of radiofrequency ablation techniques that may be utilized in the musculoskeletal system.