Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors: difficulty withdrawing the hooks resulting in a split needle

We describe a most unusual problem of a split needle following a lung radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure. We encountered the problem when retracting the electrode hooks into the shaft at completion of the ablation. We describe the process we adopted to overcome this problem. Charring of the ablated tissue can cause the tissue to become caught in the space between the hooks and the shaft or stick to the hooks. This can prevent withdrawal of the hooks into the shaft and is therefore an important complication of which practitioners need to be aware.