Radiofrequency Ablation versus Partial Splenic Artery Embolization in Hypersplenism

Abstract
Background: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) has under-gone tremendous progress with the advances in modern technologies because of its minimal invasiveness, good toler-ance, and rapid recovery more than Partial Splenic Artery embolization (PSE) in treatment of hypersplenism.
Aim: The aim of the study was to correlate results from RFA and PSE with clinical and laboratory findings in patients with hypersplenism.
Subjects and Methods: This study was carried out at Radio-Diagnosis Department, Zagazig University Hospitals during the period from October 2015 to July 2018, included 34 patients, 17 patients subjected to RFA, and the other 17 patients subjected to partial PSE. All patients were subjected to complete clinical examination, laboratory investigations. Post procedure follow-up after 2 weeks, then every 1 month in the first 3 months and every 3 months during the 1 year.
Results: Both techniques increased the hemoglobin, leu-cocytic count, and platelets significantly in comparison with the pre-operative values in each group (p<0.05). Comparing the post-operative values in both groups, comparable rise in the hemoglobin level occurred (p<0.05). On the other hand, PSE group had significantly higher rise of leucocytic count and platelets than RFA group (p<0.01).
Conclusion: PSE was more effective in treatment of thrombocytopenia and leucopenia, but with a significant increase in morbidity. Moreover, serious adverse events after PSE will push us to find safer techniques to avoid these losses. On the other hand, RFA had some advantages, such as easier technique, more confined lesions, and fewer complications.