Characterizing Prostiva™ RF treatments of the prostate for BPH with gadolinium-enhanced MRI

Abstract

Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) is an accepted and effective therapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Prostiva™ (Medtronic, Shoreview, MN) is the newest-generation device, which includes a new needle design and radio frequency (RF) generator. This device creates temperatures of 120°C and necrotic lesions in less than 2.5 min. Using previously described techniques, we analyzed dynamic, gadolinium-enhanced MRIs to characterize the ablative properties of the new Prostiva™ RF device. Ten men with LUTS due to BPH were treated with the standard Prostiva™ manufacturer-recommended protocol. The bladder neck and lateral lobes received treatment based on prostate volume and prostatic urethral length. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI sequences were obtained prior to and 1 week post-treatment. Analyze® software (Mayo Clinic Biomedical Imaging Resource, Rochester, MN) was used to evaluate MRIs. New gadolinium defects were seen in all patients following Prostiva™ treatments. All lesions coalesced within the prostate. No defects were seen beyond the prostate, and the urethra was spared in all patients. The mean volume of necrosis was 7.56 cc, representing a mean of 11.28% of total prostate volume. Dynamic, gadolinium-enhanced MRIs demonstrate new vascular defects representing necrosis caused by Prostiva™ RF therapy of the prostate. The standard Prostiva™ RF protocol produces lesions that coalesce to create larger lesions in the bladder neck and lateral lobes. Compared to the TUNA® Precision Plus™ device, the ablative lesions appear comparable while produced with a shorter burn time. ©2009 with author.