title: Image-guided tumor ablation: proposal for standardization of terms and reporting criteria.
abstract: The field of image-guided tumor ablation requires standardization of terms and reporting criteria to facilitate effective communication of ideas and appropriate comparison between treatments with different technologies, such as chemical ablation (ethanol or acetic acid) and thermal therapies, such as radiofrequency, laser, microwave, ultrasound, and cryoablation. On the basis of this premise, a working committee was established with the goal of producing a proposal on such standardization. The intent of the Working Group is to provide a framework that will facilitate the clearest communication between investigators and will provide the greatest flexibility in comparisons between the many new, exciting, and emerging technologies. The members of the Working Group now propose a vehicle for reporting the various aspects of image-guided ablation therapy, including classifications of therapies and procedures, appropriate descriptors of image guidance, and terms to define imaging and pathologic findings. Methods for standardizing the reporting of follow-up findings and complications and other important aspects that require attention when reporting clinical results are addressed. It is the group's hope and intention that adherence to the recommendations of this proposal will facilitate achievement of the group's main objective: improved precision and communication in this field that lead to more accurate comparison of technologies and results and ultimately to improved patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA. sgoldber@caregroup.harvard.edu
authors.forename: S Nahum
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: J William
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Charboneau
authors.forename: Gerald D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Damian E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Dupuy
authors.forename: Debra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gervais
authors.forename: Alice R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gillams
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: Fred T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tito
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Livraghi
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McGahan
authors.forename: Hyunchul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rhim
authors.forename: Stuart G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Solbiati
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Vogl
authors.forename: Bradford J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000592:standards*; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000592:standards; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000592:standards*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000592:standards