Principle of RF in Medicine

Abstract

Radiofrequency is the most widely used, studied, and evaluated energy form in the field of tumor ablation. In addition to tumor destruction nowadays, radiofrequency energy is also used in neurolysis for pain management. Radiofrequency energy is characterized by a frequency between 3 Hz and 300 GHz. In clinical applications radiofrequency energy is applied as a continuous sinusoidal waveform at a frequency between 400 and 500 kHz. The produced heat is primarily generated in the tissue around the electrode’s active tip and is conducted both inward (to the cannula lumen) and outward (creating concentric tissue lesions of lower temperature as the distance increases). Clinical indications for application of radiofrequency energy include cutting and cauterization in surgical operations, treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, renal denervation, cardiac arrhythmias and Barrett’s esophagus, neoplasm destruction (for both benign and malignant cases), and neurolysis for pain management. Radiofrequency ablation in the spine, due to the unique anatomy, requires a reproducible, successful, and safe procedure.