Fever after lung radiofrequency ablation: Prospective evaluation of its incidence and associated factors

To prospectively investigate the incidence of post-lung radiofrequency (RF) ablation fever as well as its associated factors, according to the grade of fever.

A total of 56 patients who underwent 67 lung RF sessions were analyzed. Post-ablation fever (≥ 37.0°C) was graded according to the common toxicity criteria of adverse events v. 4.0. Fever ≥ 37.0°C and <38.0°C was defined as grade 0 fever. The 67 RF sessions were divided into two groups according to the presence of post-ablation fever, and the factors associated with fever were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Subsequently, the RF sessions accompanied by post-ablation fever were further divided into two groups according to the grade of fever (grade 0 vs. grade ≥ 1), and the factors associated with the grade of fever were determined.

Grade 0, 1, and 2 fever accompanied 36 (54%), 11 (16%), and 2 (3%) sessions, respectively. Post-ablation fever was significantly associated with larger ablated parenchymal volume (P=0.001) and development of pulmonary infiltration (P=0.004). Additionally, development of pulmonary infiltration (P=0.048) was also significantly and independently associated with higher grade of fever in the multivariate analysis.

The incidences of grade 0, 1, and 2 post-ablation fever were 54%, 16%, and 3%, respectively. Larger ablated parenchymal volume and development of pulmonary infiltration were found to be associated with the development of post-ablation fever, with the latter being an independent factor associated with higher grade of fever.