Malignant liver tumors treated with MR imaging-guided laser-induced thermotherapy: technique and prospective results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) of liver metastases.


METHODS
In a phase II study, 20 patients with 33 metastases from colorectal carcinoma (75%) or other primary tumors (25%) underwent LITT. MR thermometry performed with fast low-angle shot sequences was used to monitor therapy on-line, and dynamic and static contrast material-enhanced MR images enabled estimation of the degree of resultant necrosis. Follow-up studies were performed 3 months after thermotherapy.


RESULTS
The thermosequences enabled accurate on-line monitoring in 85% of lesions. In 69% of lesions 20 mm in diameter or smaller, contrast-enhanced MR images depicted substantial necrosis, with a local tumor control rate of 69% after 6 months and 44% after 12 months. Among lesions larger than 20 mm, necrosis was frequently incomplete, with a local control rate of only 41% after 6 months and 27% after 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging-guided LITT of liver metastases is a safe and promising therapy for liver metastases.
Vogl
T J
TJ
Department of Radiology, University of Berlin, Germany.
Müller
P K
PK
Hammerstingl
R
R
Weinhold
N
N
Mack
M G
MG
Philipp
C
C
Deimling
M
M
Beuthan
J
J
Pegios
W
W
Riess
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies