Clinical Research Directory

Effectiveness Of Radiofrequency Ablation And Stabilization In Metastatic Spine Lesions By Positron Emission Computed Tomography (PET-CT) Confirmation

This pilot study will try to demonstrate metabolic changes in spine lesions treated by Augmentation and Ablation, according to existing standards of practice. Our purpose is to show the efficacy of a new radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in combination with augmentation, using a percutaneous ablation device (Osteocool-Medtronic) in the treatment of secondary vertebral bone tumor, avoiding concurrent bias related to other treatments of the disease.

Impact of RFA on Esophageal Distensibility and Mucosal Impedance

Patients undergoing ablative therapy for management of dysplastic Barrett's Esophagus (BE) will have decreased distensibility over the course of treatment, but improvement in mucosal impedance as BE epithelia is replaced by neosquamous epithelia. This information may lead to further research in predicting therapeutic response and complications. The purpose of this research is to collect information while measuring changes related to the esophagus in patients that receive radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for dysplastic Barrett's Esophagus (BE) or esophageal cancer. Study participation includes measurements of the esophagus with the use of two different devices. This takes place during clinically indicated upper endoscopies during the timeframe the participant is receiving RFA treatments. This process will take up to an additional 10 minutes during the upper endoscopy and be done while the participant is sedated.

Radiofrequency Ablation for Management of Benign/Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules and Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancers

To track the outcomes of patients who have been treated with RFA and its long-term effectiveness, and to learn more about the quality of life of patients who have received RFA in this study.

The Effect of Interventional Procedures on Serum CGRP and PACAP-38 Levels in Chronic Migraine

The study included 100 patients diagnosed with chronic migraine (CM) who received a diagnosis from the headache clinics of the Neurology Department of Adnan Menderes University Hospitals between May 2025 and May 2026. Inclusion criteria were patients over 18 years of age with chronic migraine. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants; patients with severe systemic diseases, occiput infections or injuries, and allergies to any of the substances used in the injection were excluded. All patients were clinically evaluated (detailed history including personal data, medical history, and migraine treatments used). All patients underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral GON blockade using a portable ultrasound system with a 7-13 MHz multifrequency transducer (ACUSON Juniper Ultrasound System, Siemens, Germany). Blood samples were collected before and one month after the procedure. Samples were collected between 9 and 11 am to avoid the effect of circadian rhythms on CGRP levels. Patients will need to discontinue any anti-inflammatory or analgesic medication within the last 48 hours. A blood sample will be taken from the non-dominant forearm to measure interictal serum CGRP-PACAP38 levels using commercial ELISA kits (Novus Biologicals Inc., USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Absorption levels will be measured with a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 450 nm ± 2 nm. The detection limit for CGRP is 9.3 pg/mL.

Comparative Effectiveness of Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation and Intra-Articular Pulsed Radiofrequency in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by progressive cartilage deterioration, osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis, and a number of biochemical and morphological changes in weight-bearing joints that are affected by genetic, mechanical, and biochemical factors. The prevalence of secondary chronic knee pain in OA is more than 12% in individuals over the age of 60. It is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders in elderly patients and has become a global health problem. Standard treatments for OA include physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tramadol, opioids, intra-articular hyaluronic acid, or steroids. In more severe cases, surgical knee arthroplasty should be considered. But long-term use of NSAIDs is associated with stomach bleeding, adverse cardiovascular events, and kidney failure. Opioids are often used, but a large number of side effects are encountered, especially in the elderly. Knee surgery is not always possible and can cause complications such as hematomas, infections, and damage to the surrounding tissue. Radiofrequency (RF) application (pulsed or continuous) is a neuromodulatory or neurolytic technique that represents an alternative in pain due to osteoarthritis. RF therapy is one of the conservative treatments that has many advantages, such as minimal invasiveness, rapid recovery, and less negative response. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) destroys the integrity of peripheral nerves using hyperthermia and thereby blocks the transmission of pain signals, while pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) regulates neurological functions or inhibits the production of immunoinflammatory factors (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) by using electric fields to affect their production, thereby relieving pain in patients. Genicular nerve radiofrequency thermocoagulation application and knee intra-articular pulsed radiofrequency application are the two radiofrequency methods routinely applied in the treatment of gonarthrosis-induced pain in our clinic. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of these two methods and compare their outcomes.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Lesions

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the long-term clinical effectiveness of EUS-RFA and quality of life in patients with pancreatic or adrenal tumors recieving EUS-RFA. Primary Objectives: * Clinical effectiveness: To evaluate the proportion of included patients who show doc-umented improvement in their clinical symptoms and biochemical parameters (blood test results) over time. * Patient satisfaction: To assess patient satisfaction with the procedure and subsequent disease-related quality of life, measured using validated questionnaires. Secondary Objectives: * Safety: To determine the proportion of treated patients who experience complications, as defined by the AGREE classification, within 30 days after the procedure. * Technical success: To assess the proportion of included patients in whom the EUS-RFA procedure can be successfully completed. Exploratory Objectives: • To identify factors associated with adverse events and factors related to clinical success or lack there of. The study is observational. All participant will receive EUS-RFA as part of their standard clinical care. Participants will: * Undergo EUS-RFA, in which a fine needle is guided into the tumor using an endo-scope and ultrasound imaging. Radiofrequency energy is applied through the needle to heat and destroy tumor cells while protecting the surrounding tissue. * Have follow-up visits including blood tests, imaging scans, and clinical evaluations at regular intervals for up to 5 years after treatment. * Complete validated questionnaires about satisfaction and quality of life. The study will include approximately 138 patients recruited between 2025 and 2035 from two Danish hospital departments (Herlev and Gentofte Hospital and Rigshospitalet). Data collection will continue until 2040 to assess long-term outcomes. This study may help determine whether EUS-RFA can serve as a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgery for selected patients with small hormone-producing or benign tumors in the pancreas or adrenal glands, potentially reducing surgical risks and improving recovery and quality of life.

Risks and Benefits of Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CEAP C3-C6) in Patients Aged 80 and Over

The prevalence of severe chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is significant in the growing octogenarian population. While radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a standard minimally invasive treatment, robust data on its outcomes and safety profiles specifically in patients aged 80 years and older remain scarce. This study aims to evaluate the risks and benefits of RFA in this specific, high-risk demographic.This prospective, single-arm, single-center cohort study will enroll 50 patients (initial target sample size) aged ≥80 years with CVI classified as CEAP C3 to C6 and with confirmed great or small saphenous vein reflux. All participants will undergo endovenous RFA under tumescent local anesthesia. The primary outcomes are: 1) the great/small saphenous vein occlusion rate at 6 months, assessed by duplex ultrasonography, and 2) the change in disease-specific quality of life from baseline to 6 months, measured by the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ). Secondary outcomes include occlusion rates at 1 and 3 months; complication rates (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, skin burns, paresthesia) within 30 days; and changes in the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) at predefined intervals over 6 months.This study is designed to demonstrate a high technical success rate (occlusion rate \>95% at 6 months) and a statistically significant improvement in AVVQ and VCSS scores at 6 months post-procedure. The collected data will provide a detailed profile of complication rates, characterizing the safety of RFA in this very elderly cohort.This study will provide crucial, prospective evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of RFA for treating CVI in octogenarians. The findings are expected to guide clinical decision-making and inform treatment guidelines for this vulnerable and expanding patient population.

Effect of Oral Antiplatelet or Anticoagulant Drugs on Postoperative Bleeding Risk and Venous Closure Rate in Patients With Lower Extremity Varicose Veins After Radiofrequency Ablation

This observational study aims to assess the effect of oral antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs on key postoperative outcomes in patients with lower extremity varicose veins who have undergone radiofrequency ablation. Its main objectives are to determine the impact of these medications on postoperative 30-day bleeding risk and postoperative 3-month venous closure rate in this patient population. Researchers will compare three groups-patients receiving oral antiplatelet drugs, those receiving oral anticoagulant drugs, and those not receiving either type of drug-to identify differences in the two key outcomes. Participants will complete baseline data collection (including medical history, medication use, and lower extremity venous assessment) before or shortly after radiofrequency ablation, undergo 30-day postoperative follow-up to evaluate bleeding events (such as minor bleeding or major bleeding requiring medical intervention), receive venous ultrasound at 3 months postoperatively to measure venous closure rate, and report any medication changes or adverse events during the follow-up period.

One Cause of Heel Pain is Plantar Fasciopathy (PF). In Most Cases, a Heel Spur is Frequently Present Alongside PF. We Aim to Evaluate the Efficacy of Corticosteroid Injection and Radiofrequency Ablation, Along With Tissue Elasticity Assessed by Ultrasound, in Patients With Chronic Pain (≥6 Months).

Heel pain is common among adults. One cause of heel pain is plantar fasciopathy (PF). In most cases, a heel spur, a bony prominence that extends into the plantar fascia, is frequently present alongside PF. First-line treatments include pain-relieving drugs, home exercises, heel support peds, and physical therapy. However, some patients can't get relief from these therapies, and the pain persists beyond six months. This situation is referred to as refractory chronic PF. Local treatments applied via skin puncture such as anti-inflamtory injection and destruction of nerves carrying pain signals to brain are warranted in these cases. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroid injection and radiofrequency ablation, along with tissue elasticity assessed by ultrasound, in patients with chronic pain (≥6 months). The goal of this clinical trial is to determine which treatment-corticosteroid injection or radiofrequency thermal thermocoagulation-is more effective for treating plantar fasciopathy in adults. It will also learn about the effects of the treatments on the properties of the heel tissue using ultrasound. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do corticosteroid injections and radiofrequency thermal thermocoagulation have the same efficacy on pain and functionality for both short- and long-term? Do corticosteroid injections and radiofrequency thermal thermocoagulation similarly affect heel tissue? The researchers will investigate which of the corticosteroid injection and radiofrequency thermocoagulation is more effective for

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Conventional and Pulse Radiofrequency Therapy in Advanced Knee Osteoarthritis in Elderly Patients: An Observational Study

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common joint disease, causing pain and loss of function. Osteoarthritis, including knee OA, is a significant cause of morbidity and disability in older adults and negatively impacts the functionality of individuals over the age of 65. When non-invasive treatments such as medical therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation fail to provide adequate pain control, intra-articular injections, geniculate nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and surgical treatments are considered. Genicular nerve blocks provide short-term pain relief in knee osteoarthritis . Despite various conservative treatments, many patients with chronic knee OA experience severe knee pain before total knee arthroplasty. Genicular nerve block (GNB) and radiofrequency ablation of the geniculate nerves have been shown to be effective in relieving pain and improving knee functionality in patients with chronic knee OA. Intra-articular corticosteroids are used in the treatment of knee OA to rapidly relieve pain, reduce pain within the first three months, and rapidly restore joint function . Both conventional and pulsed radiofrequency treatments have been effective in relieving pain and improving disability in patients with knee OA who have not responded to conservative treatment and have contraindications for surgery. Conventional radiofrequency therapy uses high-frequency alternating current to create thermal lesions. The thermal energy creates a zone of coagulative necrosis that includes the nerves that transmit and/or modulate pain sensation . In pulsed radiofrequency therapy, thermal tissue damage can be minimized by using pulsed high-voltage radiofrequency currents. This allows time for the heat to dissipate and generally maintains the tissue temperature near the electrode below the neurodestructive range. The mechanism by which pulsed radiofrequency provides clinical benefit is not fully understood. It appears to modulate signaling cascades, particularly in C fibers, without affecting nerve conduction in myelinated fibers . As an alternative to the thermal effects of conventional radiofrequency therapy, pulsed radiofrequency therapy has been noted to have fewer potential side effects . In conclusion, the therapeutic effects of radiofrequency applications on improving pain and functional impairments due to knee osteoarthritis (KOA) have been demonstrated; however, the number of studies evaluating only elderly patients (aged 65 and over) is limited. Studies comparing conventional and pulsed radiofrequency treatments of the genicular nerves and evaluating their effects on geriatric parameters are limited. The primary objective of our study was to compare the effects of conventional and pulsed radiofrequency treatments of the genicular nerves under ultrasound guidance on knee pain and functional assessments in elderly patients, and the secondary objective was to determine their effects on geriatric assessments.

Efficacy of Mavacamten Combined With Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients With Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Mavacamten combined with radiofrequency ablation compared to Mavacamten alone in patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Participants were randomized into two groups:

Ga-68 Dolacga PET Scan in HCC Under RFA

This study aims to investigate the use of Ga-68 Dolacga PET scan technology to assess treatment response and liver function changes in patients of early-stage liver cancer receiving RFA. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. How to assess treatment response and liver function changes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergo RFA via Ga-68 Dolacga PET scan? 2. Compared with computed tomography (CT) scans, how effective is Ga-68 Dolacga PET scan for treatment response assessment? 3. What is the correlation between Ga-68 Dolacga PET scan findings and patient treatment outcomes by tracking liver function and tumor recurrence after RFA? Participants will: 1. Undergo Ga-68 Dolacga PET scans and computed tomography before and one month after RFA treatment, followed by monitoring every three months thereafter. 2. Total liver functional volume and residual liver functional volume are obtained from Ga-68 Dolacga PET scan

Effect of Mechanical Ventilation on Radiofrequency Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is performed under general anesthesia. The success of the procedure depends on the safe contact of the catheter electrode with the myocardium. Movement of the catheter tip due to respiratory changes can result in inadequate lesion formation and AF recurrence. The success of AF ablation depends on the adequacy of energy delivered to the myocardium and the durability of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Poor energy delivery and tissue heating during ablation are a major cause of procedural failure in RFA. To improve the success of the PVI procedure, efforts are underway to optimize catheter stability and contact force. However, catheter force and stability are influenced by respiration-induced thoracic motion, highlighting the importance of controlled breathing for further optimization. Fluoroscopy and ablation times during electroanatomic mapping-guided AF ablations improved with controlled mechanical ventilation. General anesthesia improved catheter contact. Low tidal volume, high respiratory rate (FCV), pressure controlled mechanical ventilation (PCV), volume controlled mechanical ventilation (VCV), pressure controlled volume assured mechanical ventilation (PRVC) can be used in investigators' hospital. The literature offers no definitive proof that one ablation procedure is superior to another.

Concomitant Hybrid Versus Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the rhythm control effect in hypertrophic non-obstructive patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by either concomitant catheter endocardial and thoracoscopic epicardial ablation or catheter ablation alone. The study aims to see if concomitant hybrid ablation can more effectively achieve rhythm control effect than catheter ablation alone in non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Multifaceted Comparison of Ultrasound-guided Ablation and Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Aldosterone-producing Adenoma

The purpose of this study is to retrospectively and prospectively analyze the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation and laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the treatment of aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). It is planned to retrospectively collect 30 patients with adrenal radiofrequency ablation for APA and 15 patients with age - and sex-matched laparoscopic adrenalectomy for APA in our hospital from January 2020 to June 2024, and continue to follow up for 3 years.

RFA Plus Carrizumab vs Carrizumab Alone for HCC

The study aims to find whether patients with advanced HCC can get more benefits from RFA +PD-1 immunosuppressant (carrizumab) compared with carrizumab alone, considering with the result of PFS.