MRI adds precision to liver radiofrequency ablation

October 2, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. MRI adds precision to liver radiofrequency ablation Imaging during intervention can save nontarget tissues from thermal injury and ensure complete coagulation of tumor BY STEPHAN CLASEN, M.D., HANSJÖRG REMPP, M.D., AND PHILIPPE PEREIRA, M.D. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Radiofrequency ablation has attracted increasing attention as a minimally invasive method of treating hepatic malignancies.1 Image guidance can play an important role in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of ablative therapy. Imaging should ensure that ablation is precise, enabling complete coagulation of tumor tissue within a safety margin. The applicator should be positioned and energy delivered without injuring critical structures. The ideal targeting technique should delineate tumor tissue and the surrounding anatomy clearly. It should offer real-time imaging, as well as multiplanar and interactive capabilities. The guiding modality should visualize therapy effects during intervention so that target tissue coverage can be assessed and unintended thermal injury avoided.

See full article and related articles at DiagnosticImaging.com
This article was republished with permission from CMPMedica, LLC