Image-guided lung ablation: Experience at an intermediate complexity centre
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Updated: Nov 7, 2026
Robotic-assisted Bronchoscopy Combined with Multimodal Imaging for Targeted Lung Cryobiopsies
Published on: July 19, 2024
A Castell Herrera1, M Morales García1, I Alonso Diego1
1Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, Spain.
Background And Objective:
Lung cancer in patients with inoperability criteria has been increasing in recent years. For these patients, other less invasive therapeutic options such as thermal ablation or stereotactic radiotherapy are being considered. The aim of the study is to analyse the outcomes of thermal ablation for malignant lung lesions in terms of survival and complications at an intermediate complexity centre over a 10-year period.
Material And Methods:
A retrospective observational review was conducted of computed tomography-guided lung ablations performed between 2012 and 2022 using radiofrequency, microwave or cryoablation. Survival rates were calculated, and lesion characteristics were described along with the main identified complications.
Results:
A total of 25 tumour lesions were ablated, with a mean size of 15.8 mm (range: 8-28 mm), including both primary and metastatic lesions. The most common immediate complication was pneumothorax (36%). The most severe complication was bronchopleural fistula, with a post-procedural mortality rate of 4%. Local progression-free survival rates were 91%, 71% and 64% at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. The mean overall survival time was 40 months.
Conclusions:
Thermal ablative therapies are well-tolerated procedures, with good survival rates and a low likelihood of complications.
