E-ISSN: 1305-3612
Partial radiofrequency ablation of the spleen in thalassemia
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Interventional Radiology - Original Article
VOLUME: 18 ISSUE: 4
P: 397-402
July 2012

Partial radiofrequency ablation of the spleen in thalassemia

Diagn Interv Radiol 2012;18(4):397-402
DOI: 10.4261/1305-3825.DIR.4537-11.1
Mozhgan Hashemieh 1
Shahram Akhlaghpoor 2
Azita Azarkeivan 3
Alireza Azizahari 3
Afshan Shirkavand 1
Kourosh Sheibani 1
1. Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Research and Development Center, Imam Hossein Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
2. Department of Radiology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
3. Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 30.05.2011
Accepted Date: 31.10.2011
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ABSTRACT

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.