PURPOSE: To investigate the efficiency of partial radiofrequency ablation of the spleen in patients with thalassemia major and intermedia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Partial radiofrequency ablation of the spleen was performed in 19 thalassemic patients (10 females, nine males) with a mean age of 12.7 years (age range, 7-30 years). This group of patients consisted of 11 patients with thalassemia major and nine with thalassemia intermedia. The procedure was performed under intravenous sedation and was complete in 29-35 min. RESULTS: The ratio of the ablated volume to the whole spleen ranged from 5.3% to 23% (mean, 9.83 ± 5.56%). A significant increase was found in the platelet count after radiofrequency ablation of the spleen (P = 0.002). No statistically significant difference was found in hemoglobin levels (P = 0.171) or transfusion intervals (P = 0.054) before and after radiofrequency ablation. Additionally, no statistically significant relationship was observed between the ablation ratio and hemoglobin levels (P = 0.233) and between the ablation ratio and transfusion interval (P = 0.822). No major complication occurred due to this interventional procedure. CONCLUSION: A single percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of the spleen reduces thrombocytopenia in thalassemic patients with splenomegaly but does not change the hemoglobin levels or transfusion intervals.
PURPOSE: To investigate the efficiency of partial radiofrequency ablation of the spleen in patients with thalassemia major and intermedia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Partial radiofrequency ablation of the spleen was performed in 19 thalassemicpatients (10 females, nine males) with a mean age of 12.7 years (age range, 7-30 years). This group of patients consisted of 11 patients with thalassemia major and nine with thalassemia intermedia. The procedure was performed under intravenous sedation and was complete in 29-35 min. RESULTS: The ratio of the ablated volume to the whole spleen ranged from 5.3% to 23% (mean, 9.83 ± 5.56%). A significant increase was found in the platelet count after radiofrequency ablation of the spleen (P = 0.002). No statistically significant difference was found in hemoglobin levels (P = 0.171) or transfusion intervals (P = 0.054) before and after radiofrequency ablation. Additionally, no statistically significant relationship was observed between the ablation ratio and hemoglobin levels (P = 0.233) and between the ablation ratio and transfusion interval (P = 0.822). No major complication occurred due to this interventional procedure. CONCLUSION: A single percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of the spleen reduces thrombocytopenia in thalassemicpatients with splenomegaly but does not change the hemoglobin levels or transfusion intervals.
Authors: Guilherme Lopes P Martins; Joao Paulo G Bernardes; Marcello S Rovella; Raphael G Andrade; Publio Cesar C Viana; Paulo Herman; Giovanni Guido Cerri; Marcos Roberto Menezes Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2015-05-28 Impact factor: 5.742