Radiofrequency ablation

A procedure using radiofrequency to destroy tissue. In cardiology, one or more catheters are guided via fluoroscopy to the heart muscle, and a burst of radiofrequency energy destroys very small areas of tissue that give rise to or conduct abnormal electrical signals. In the treatment of organ tumours (e.g. liver, kidney, lung) or metastasis, a needle is percutaneously inserted into the target tissue to apply radiofrequency for tissue destruction. (Adapted from ICRP Publicatrion 120, 2012)

ICRP Glossary entry - May 2019