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Magnetic resonance guidance for radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors
Author(s) -
Clasen Stephan,
Pereira Philippe L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.21264
Subject(s) - ablation , cryoablation , radiofrequency ablation , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , percutaneous , rf probe , radiology , microwave ablation , rf ablation , coagulative necrosis , thermal ablation , interventional magnetic resonance imaging , high intensity focused ultrasound , ultrasound , materials science , pathology , amplifier , optoelectronics , cmos , rf power amplifier
Image‐guided thermal ablation of liver tumors is a minimally invasive treatment option. Techniques used for thermal ablation are radiofrequency (RF) ablation, laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT), microwave (MW) ablation, high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and cryoablation. Among these techniques RF ablation attained widespread consideration. Image guidance should ensure a precise ablation therapy leading to a complete coagulation of tumor tissue without injury to critical structures. Therefore, the modality of image guidance has an important impact on the safety and efficacy of percutaneous RF ablation. The current literature regarding percutaneous RF ablation mainly describes the use of computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) guidance. In addition, interventional MR systems offer the possibility to utilize the advantages of MR imaging such as excellent soft‐tissue contrast, multiplanar and interactive capabilities, and sensitivity to thermal effects during the entire RF ablation procedure. Monitoring of thermally induced coagulation by MR imaging is supportive to control the ablation procedure. MR imaging can be advantageously used to guide overlapping ablation if necessary as well as to define the endpoint of RF ablation after complete coverage of the target tissue is verified. Furthermore, monitoring of thermal effects is essential in order to prevent unintended thermal damage from critical structures surrounding the target region. Therefore, MR‐guided RF ablation offers the possibility for a safe and effective therapy option in the treatment of primary and secondary hepatic malignancies. The article summarizes the role of MR guidance for RF ablation of liver tumors. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:421–433. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.