Tackling hypertension via adrenal ablation-the development of novel immunohistochemical ablation biomarkers

Abstract

Microwave thermal ablation is under consideration for minimally invasive treatment of unilateral and bilateral adrenal adenomas, symptomatic of Conn's syndrome. Currently available microwave technologies are illsuited to precise ablation of small adrenal targets. In this study we report on the use of immunohistochemical markers as accurate microscopic markers of ablation damage extent. This ex vivo study will aid in efforts towards the design of microwave ablation systems for targeting adrenal masses. Microwave ablation was carried out on ex vivo bovine adrenal glands using various power outputs and ablation durations. The area of damage was assessed using histopathological, immunohistochemical and densitometry techniques. The immunohistochemical analysis illustrated the feasibility of this technique to microscopically detect the area of cell damage in tissue accurately. These results will aid in further investigation and development of microwave technology for precise ablation of adrenal masses.