Vertebral Body Bone Ablation with and without a Saline-Infused System in a Porcine Model

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bone radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the spine with and without controlled saline infusion. RF ablation with and without controlled saline infusion was performed in the vertebral bodies of 2 swine with real-time temperature and impedance recordings. Histology and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging results were reviewed to evaluate the ablation zone size, breach of spinal canal, and damage to the spinal cord and nerves. There was no difference in maximum and mean temperatures between controlled saline and noninfusion groups. The impedance and power output were not significantly different between the groups. MR imaging and histopathology demonstrated ablation zones confined within the vertebral bodies. Ablation zone size correlated on MR imaging and histopathology by groups. No ablation effect, breach of posterior cortex, spinal cord injury, or nerve or ganglion injury was observed at any level using MR imaging or histology. Controlled saline infusion does not appear to impact bone RF ablation and, specifically, does not increase the ablation zone size.