MR-guided radiofrequency ablation of hepatic malignancies at 1.5 T: initial results.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatic malignancies using a high-field MR scanner.


METHODS
A total of 10 patients with 14 primary (N = 1) or secondary (N = 13) hepatic malignancies underwent MR-guided RFA using a closed-bore 1.5 T MR scanner. Lesion diameters ranged from 2.0 cm to 4.7 cm. RFA was performed using a 200-W generator in combination with a 3.5-cm LeVeen electrode applying a standardized energy protocol.


RESULTS
RFA was technically feasible in all patients. Necrosis diameter ranged from 2.5 cm to 6.8 cm. The mean follow-up period is 12.2 (1-18) months. In nine out of 10 patients, local tumor control was achieved. For this purpose, a second CT-guided RFA was required in two patients. In four patients, multifocal hepatic tumor progression occurred, with the treated lesion remaining tumor-free in three of these patients. Two patients showed extrahepatic tumor progression. Four patients remained tumor-free. No major complications occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
MR-guided RFA of hepatic malignancies in a closed-bore high-field MR scanner is technically feasible and safe. It can be advantageous in locations considered unfavorable for CT-guided puncture or in patients in which iodinated contrast material is contraindicated.
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Aachen University of Technology, Aachen, Germany. mahnken@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Andreas H
AH
Mahnken
Arno
A
Buecker
Elmar
E
Spuentrup
Gabriele A
GA
Krombach
Dietrich
D
Henzler
Rolf W
RW
Günther
Josef
J
Tacke
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome