Radiological airway changes following bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction

To characterise the appearance of lesions of the tongue base and soft palate induced by bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction, using magnetic resonance imaging up to six weeks post-procedure.

Five men with sleep-disordered breathing were treated with one session of bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction to a number of sites, including the tongue base and soft palate. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed pre-operatively and one week and six weeks after surgery.

Lesions were visible from day one. T1 (spine lattice relaxation Time)-weighted images demonstrated areas of central hyperintensity, reflecting haemorrhagic, coagulative necrosis, surrounded by hypointensity, representing oedema; corresponding short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences showed central hypointensity with surrounding high signal. The lesions expanded up to day three and then gradually diminished, but were still evident at week six on short tau inversion recovery images.

The characterisation of lesions induced by bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction enables us to elucidate the pathophysiology of this procedure, to optimise treatment benefits and clinical outcomes, and to explain patient symptoms.