title: Open-configuration MR-guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy for metastatic liver tumors from breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liver metastases from breast cancer are associated with a poor prognosis, however, local control with microwave thermocoagulation therapy has been used in certain subgroups of these patients in the past decade. In this study, open-configuration magnetic resonance (MR) -guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy was used for metastatic liver tumors from breast cancer, and the efficacy of this treatment was assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2000 and April 2004, we used MR-guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy on 11 nodules in 8 patients with metastatic liver tumors from breast cancer. The procedure was carried out under general anesthesia. A 0.5 T open-configuration MR system and a microwave coagulator were used. Near-real-time MR images and real-time temperature images were collected and displayed on the monitor. The MR-compatible thoracoscope was used and combined with MR imaging guidance. Navigation software, a 3D Slicer, was installed and customized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The customized navigation software displayed near-real-time MR images. The percutaneous puncture into the tumors was successful in all cases. No mortality or major complications occurred as a result of the procedures. Five of the 8 patients are alive with new metastatic foci with a mean observation period of 25.9 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We developed several devices to allow safe, easy, and accurate MR-guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy of liver tumors. Open-configuration MR-guided microwave thermocoagulation therapy appears to be a feasible method for tumor ablation of metastatic liver tumors from breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan. abe@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Yoshimasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurumi
authors.forename: Shigeyuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naka
authors.forename: Hisanori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shiomi
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Umeda
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Naitoh
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hanasawa
authors.forename: Shigehiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morikawa
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000097:blood; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001224:Aspartic Acid; D000410:Alanine Transaminase