Radiology, Vol 180, 363-366, Copyright © 1991 by Radiological Society of North America
Thermal ablation of the gallbladder
CC Coleman, JA Vennes, IP Posalaky and K Amplatz
Department of Radiology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
Gallbladder ablation by means of injection of hot contrast medium was
attempted in 13 dogs. Room temperature contrast medium was injected into
the gallbladders of two additional dogs (controls). After midline
laparotomy was performed to expose the gallbladder, temperature probes were
placed in the liver adjacent to the gallbladder, and on the surface and in
the lumen of the gallbladder. A 7-F catheter with multiple side holes was
placed into the gallbladder. The cystic duct was clamped during the
procedure. After injection of boiling contrast medium, the mean temperature
in the gallbladder lumen was 80 degrees C; in the adjacent liver, 43.5
degrees C; and on the gallbladder surface, 45.8 degrees C. After the
procedure, the cystic duct was unclamped, temperature probes and catheter
were removed, and the laparotomy was closed in standard fashion. In the hot
contrast medium group, one dog each was sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 12
weeks, and at 6 months. Six animals were sacrificed at 1 year. The
gallbladder was completely ablated in 11 of 13 animals in the hot contrast
medium group. One dog was sacrificed at 8 days because of bile leakage, and
another was sacrificed at 17 days because of gallbladder rupture. The two
control animals were sacrificed at 12 and 13 weeks, and their gallbladders
were normal at that time.
